Just finished this one, bought it as a knackered complete bike, not much salvagable other than the frame, which was in pretty good condition. It's been powder coated in a colour that matches my very first decent bike, a Holdsworth Mistral I sold earlier this year. Bill Nickson built it in the early 90s using 531 Designer Select and he very kindly supplied me with a new set of decals for it.
In keeping with my philosophy of being a bit frugal, the componentry is what I had in my parts store, much of it stripped from bikes I've bought or bits picked up at car boot sales. To make it a bit more retro I've used downtube shifters, but they are Dura Ace 9 speed jobbies picked up at a car boot sale for five quid. The brand new Ultegra chainset and front mech were bought from a mate who found after he'd bought them that they weren't suitable for his bike; the rear mech was car boot sale booty as were the Tioga bars, Dynamic 9 stem, Kalloy seat post and RSX brake calipers. Selle Italia Flite Ti saddle came off one of the forums, same for the tasteful (?) old stock Bike Ribbon bar tape. The headset is original Miche but as it's fairly worn will be replaced when I can get up to Madgetts, as will the pedals as I now ride Look Deltas due to those Shimano thingies giving me a nasty case of hot foot on a 75 miler last month. I also intend to replace the brake calipers when I can source a set of new style Ultegra to match the chainset. Wheels are Mavic Cosmos off a Lemond I stripped last year. Tyres are Clements, bought from a guy who sold me a Sirius low pro early this year.
Rides beautifully, very smooth, the shifting is perfecto mondo and the bike weighs in at 9.8kg all up as in the photo. It's fitted with mudguard eyes so would make a nice audax bike or I might stick guards on and use it this winter.
Gordon
In keeping with my philosophy of being a bit frugal, the componentry is what I had in my parts store, much of it stripped from bikes I've bought or bits picked up at car boot sales. To make it a bit more retro I've used downtube shifters, but they are Dura Ace 9 speed jobbies picked up at a car boot sale for five quid. The brand new Ultegra chainset and front mech were bought from a mate who found after he'd bought them that they weren't suitable for his bike; the rear mech was car boot sale booty as were the Tioga bars, Dynamic 9 stem, Kalloy seat post and RSX brake calipers. Selle Italia Flite Ti saddle came off one of the forums, same for the tasteful (?) old stock Bike Ribbon bar tape. The headset is original Miche but as it's fairly worn will be replaced when I can get up to Madgetts, as will the pedals as I now ride Look Deltas due to those Shimano thingies giving me a nasty case of hot foot on a 75 miler last month. I also intend to replace the brake calipers when I can source a set of new style Ultegra to match the chainset. Wheels are Mavic Cosmos off a Lemond I stripped last year. Tyres are Clements, bought from a guy who sold me a Sirius low pro early this year.
Rides beautifully, very smooth, the shifting is perfecto mondo and the bike weighs in at 9.8kg all up as in the photo. It's fitted with mudguard eyes so would make a nice audax bike or I might stick guards on and use it this winter.
Gordon
