Pretty, Strong: Chris King NoThreadset

Choosing a headset was not a very tough decision. I had already been wanting to get matching Chris King hubs and headset. Even though I decided to forgo the hubs for another brand I still had designs on the NoThreadSet. This headset has a solid reputation and a great selection of colors, perhaps the only manufacturer of headsets to offer pink. The bike is going to be white with black and chrome or alloy components. Having a little something colorful on it will be a nice touch.

This 2008 "Pretty and Strong" set was made in a darker shade than previous models. A change I see as an improvement. I prefer it over its lighter, pastel predecessor. It will be hard to match any other components in the same pink though. It might just have to be the only pink component on the bike, which could actually turn out to be a good thing. In design color is a good tool to individualize or assign significance. In a correspondence with a staffer at Chris King I inquired about the difference in shades. What I learned is that the variety is due sometimes to a conscientious choice and sometimes to "the nature of the science behind anodization." The current production was a decision to go with a bolder, "copper salmon" shade. Coincidently, or maybe not such a coincidence, the new copper salmon pink reflects the importance of its fishy namesake in the culture of Portland, Oregon (home of Chris King Precision Components) and the Pacific Northwest (home of me).

Forza Italia: Campagnolo Record Alloy Crankset

My neo-traditionalist inclination will be highly influental on what this bike will eventually come to be. When deciding on a crank there were a couple of important considerations. Firstly, aesthetics. The current productions of cranks are predominantly carbon...and black. The material takes off a significant number of grams, but they all look so chunky, dense and hi-tech fanboyesque. So many components these days are black. Cranks, stems, seatposts, rims, forks, handlebars. Black, black, black, black, black. One thing I love about the classic bikes is all the shiny alloy and chrome parts. Carbon fiber is excellent for a lightweight rig, but in appearance it just doesn't compare. When it comes to cranks, carbon is quite pricey as well. A fact which makes for perhaps the ultimate deal breaker. Even if carbon cranks were as affordable as alloy, I'm still not sure if I would go with them. That's how devisive the issue of black vs. metallic is with me.

On the subject of tradition Campagnolo is THE one, the component of champions for decades. And in the aesthetics department the tried and true Record crank is as smooth as they get. The design is sleek. The transition from crankarm to spider is so elegant and natural, it epitomizes my idea brilliant simplicity. In comparison, today's Shimano alloy cranks look like alien space saucers turned on their side. The detailing is Large. I'm guessing the robust Shimano design with its extra surface area is intended to be aerodynamic. If this the case, I question the amount drag reduction and its significance in my application as a recreational rider. I'm not doing any time trialing with this bike. The FSA alloy crank is guess what? Black. Specialties TA makes a nice Shimano compatible alloy crank in the same traditional fashion as Campagnolo, but it is more in price by at least a hundred dollars. This new Campagnolo Record crank I found on eBay for a song fits my ideal. Therefore I am very happy. I didn't go into this process committed to Campagnolo, but came to realize that it was the likely choice.

Another decisive factor was the consideration of what rear hub I am planning to use. I really like the Chris King Classic hub. Really like it. The circumstance one finds with this hub though is it is Shimano compatible only. That would count out a legendary Campagnolo drivetrain. Unless...I want to use a conversion cassette like the one made by American Classic. Or even a Shimano cassette with a Campagnolo crank which may seem like a crazy notion, but I've been told by a handful of riders that they have run this setup with seldom a hitch. Although I don't want to run the risk of encountering a hitch, however slight it may be. An attractive feature about Chris King is the variety of colors. Not just black or chrome, but a small rainbow to choose from. I think a set of pink hubs would look pretty sweet. Throw in a pink headset and the bike has an understated splash of color. Chris King hubs are just about some of the most expensive though. It's hard to justify forking over the extra hundred or more when there are more affordable high quality alternatives. So, the choice was made to unfortunately pass on Chris King and eventually get that beautiful Record crank.

Stick A Fork In It: Profile Design Silencer SL

While I still await the delivery of the Soma Smoothie frame which is on back order for another few weeks, I have a new fork. The second part purchased, but the first received for the new bike build. I have no method or plan as to how the bike comes together other than research the parts and buy them when the best opportunity presents itself. Although, after I decided on a frame it seemed a natural next step to complete the frame/fork set. This is the first bike I will have with a carbon fork. I familiarized myself with some of the popular and proven brands, but not having any significant experience with this type of fork no matter how much research I do, it will really take miles and miles of riding to understand what kind of performance and quality is best for me. I found this Profile Design Silencer SL at Bike Nashbar at a pretty deep discount. It is an older model by about a couple years, which explains its slashed price. I'm not sure if it is worth its MSRP, but at sbout 60% off that price I figure I got a decent deal. With a carbon steerer tube it's very light at 330g, which will be great for the overall weight of the bike and hopefully still retain a comfortable stiffness. Profile Design is an established manufacturer of aerobars, but what is their track record with forks? With only a little information on performance, faith in the Profile brand reputation, the lure of light carbon material, and willing risk I put down my money for the Silencer SL. Recently I've read a posting in the Road Bike Review forum claiming the fork is a flexy POS. Well, I've already bought it. Hopefully that person is bigger than me and I will not find the fork to be so flexy. But then I've also exchanged comments with some one else in the Road Bike Review forums that is quite satisfied with the fork. There's always the option of avoiding disappointment and returning it for a refund.