Brave New Velo: A Blog About A Soma Smoothie

And This Is Why I Don't Ride With A Carbon Fork...

2011-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

These Are Not the Bar End Plugs You Are Looking For

2011-08-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

At least that's what they would have told me at Obi Wan's Cyclery about these ODI bar end plugs. After a Summer distracted by many things velo related, I've returned to the web log about the building of a Soma Smoothie bicycle. Today I relate my experience with the fancy, fine-crafted ODI aluminum bar end plugs. They are a lovely sight to behold with their shimmering aluminum finish, BUT disappointingly do not fit a standard road bar. The problem? The adjustable wedge system which secures the plug to the inside of the bar end is not wide enough, therefore requiring a shim in the remaining gap assuring a tight fit. Ah, yet another shim on this bike.

What's more is the diameter of the cap of the plug is so wide that if you aren't using a thick bar tape, like cork (which I happen to prefer anyhow), there will be overhang (for lack of a better term). In fact I needed to apply a small strip of tape on the end of the bar under the wrap in order for the tape to be flush with the plug. If I were using a bar with a smaller diameter there would be even more overhang! Would I have needed a triple layer of tape on the end?

The little imperfections I must endure. All part of the adventure of building a bicycle.

Shiny Happy Hub

2011-04-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

A double post today! These White Industries hubs are so beautifully designed and crafted I just can't help but admire them.

The White Industries H3 rear hub.

Assembly Update: Gettin' Fit

2011-04-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

An hour here, a couple hours there. I have bits of time from day to day to gradually complete the Soma Smoothie. So I'm at the point of the build where I need to adjust the fit of the bike to know how much steerer tube to chop off. This is the second road bike I've ever owned. What it has in common with the first is a stock frame size of 56cm. I am a tall 5'9" just shy of 5'10"(l77cm). When I was 17 yrs. old and bought that first bike, a Centurion LeMans RS, I was about an inch shorter and probably barely tall enough for that frame. I figured this time around 56cm would be just right but as I adjust the bike to fit I wonder if 54cm is a preferable option. Although this is a trial and error process of learning what frame size fits best. It will take quite a bit of fine tuning to get all of the adjustments just so and that will require some miles on the road. By the time I have the fit dialed in I may find the size is just fine. A lesson learned going into any bike build is knowing certain details, dimensions and measurements that I need in a frame, and subsequently parts, that suit me and my body.

Traditionally I have fit my bikes simply by how the adjustments feel. This time I am trying to take a more clinical approach using tested and tried guidelines for fitting. To get the bike to a point of basic adjustment I followed a simple, logical method by Peter White of Peter White Cycles. From here I can make the necessary finite tweaks and turns. Perhaps even a professional fitting is in my future.

Campagnolo Doesn't Care About You

2011-03-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

That is if you ride a traditional steel frame, Campagnolo doesn't care about you. Why would I say such a thing about the beloved and legendary components manufacturer? They don't make a 27.2mm size front derailleur clamp is why. I assume this is a business decision. Maybe they've concluded there is not enough demand. That's too bad; for us that is. I know there are some out there on the used market, but I don't want used and I don't want an older design. I want a current design that compliments the other current Campy components. So then I am forced to choose the 32mm clamp and make do. Thank you Campagnolo. I mean that with both sincerity and sarcasm. As seen in the above photo I have inserted a shim to adapt the larger clamp to the smaller seat tube.

I made the shim with two layers of rubber strips. One would suffice depending on the thickness of the rubber. In my case I had two sizes of rubber shims from a head lamp clamp. The thicker of the two was too large but by doubling up the thinner option it was just right. I cut the thin shim into two strips and they were the perfect width to match that of the clamp. Only a little finesse was required to position the strips neatly between the clamp and seat tube. Voila, the clamp is in place.

God Is In The Details

2011-03-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Soma Smoothie build is now getting down to the details. Decisions about these aren't as little as the parts themselves. For example, the dimensions of the steel tubing of this frame are traditional which means sorting through a selection predominantly comprised of parts designed for the over-sized tubing of carbon frames. It's like a treasure hunt in the case of finding a proper front derailleur clamp. Campagnolo unfortunately - foolishly - does not make a 27.2mm size clamp. Therefore I had to find another viable option, and didn't. There are a couple of companies I discovered that make an alloy clamp in the size I need but the design of these is primitive. I found them unacceptable. So I bought the 32mm size Campagnolo clamp and will have to adapt it to fit. No problem. Call me superficial if you will but I also like the fact that there will be a Campy brand clamp to accommodate the Campy brand derailleur.

The other seemingly simple choice I had to make was on a pair of bar end plugs. Some are content with the plastic pair that come with most packs of bar tape. Once again, unacceptable. Adhering with the rest of the detailing scheme on the bike I want alloy. Lucky for me Soma makes just these very sort of bar end plugs. But after some shopping around I learned that the plugs are simply plastic with some kind of alloy looking finish. Fortunately I found this lovely pair of aluminum plugs made by ODI that compliment the bike nicely. It really is all in the details.

Assembly Update

2011-03-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

While I was watching stage five of this year's edition of Tirreno-Adriatico I tinkered on the bike a little. Do people still tinker these days? Or does that sound amateurish? Too buffoonish? Instead they "engineer" or "fabricate". The Soma Smoothie is coming together nicely.

Two Wheels Good

2011-03-18T23:49:00.000-07:00

A solid set of wheels are critical. It simply is a necessity they are well built with quality components, particularly the hubs. As a general rule the parts that do a lot of spinning around and around, hubs, should have the greatest of attention to performance and durability. The rims preferably light and strong. Some are stronger than others, some lighter than others. I put much research and consideration into these factors and came up with what I think is a great combination.

When I was a kid learning bicycle mechanics by trial and error I deconstructed a couple of wheels but building one up is a foreign endeavor. Because I have more time than money, and it's not so difficult a job that only a professional mechanic can perform, I took on the task of wheelbuilder. Equipped with a few very helpful resources including this webpage by Mike T., Sheldon Brown's wheelbuilding article and the instructional video "Mastering the Wheel" featuring UCI master mechanic Gerd Schraner, I easily assembled a set of beautiful wheels. Once completed the wheels only needed to be adjusted for tension and trued. I don't have a proper stand for this process but it can be done on the overturned frame of the bike. Having a go at it using the bike frame method I was able to balance the lateral movement but vertical truing proved to be beyond my ability. Adjusting for a round-shaped rim was difficult and frustrating so I took the wheels to the shop for a professional to complete the job.

The ever exciting and expressive Gerd Schraner.

Because I am a "soul rider" rather than a club racer I decided on a build that will provide agility yet still retain strength as well - 28h 2x on the front and 32h 3x on the rear. Radial spoking has become common on the front end of many bicycles because it allows for a light wheel, but the likelihood of the wheel becoming totally out of balance when a spoke breaks is enough for me to stick with a traditional 2x pattern. I chose Wheelsmith double-butted spokes, a great all-purpose spoke to which I am partial but there are other excellent options like DT Swiss Competition or Sapim CX Ray. Spoke choice is a personal preference from one person to the next. Choose wisely though. To determine the proper length of the spokes I used two calculators to be doubly certain; one is called Edd and the other is the DT Swiss Spokes Calculator. Both are available online. On the rear I recommend using brass nipples on the drive-side of the wheel for additional strength with all other nipples being alloy. This will add a minute amount to the overall weight of the bike so if you're a weight weenie you just might decide against brass. The other main components are Velocity Aerohead rims with Aerohead OC on the rear and White Industries hubs, H2 front and H3 rear. If you chose the Aerohead OC for your rear wheel remember that the position of the offset side of the rim is opposite the drive-side of the hub. The offset side of the rim should be on the small flange side of the rear hub. Of all the research I did about this rim I never read anything that explained this. I actually built the rear wheel twice because at first I thought the offset side of the rim was on the drive-side only to learn it goes the other way. Do not make the same mistake I did.

For the benefit of any wheel building newbies like myself here are a few prep pointers:

Depending on the manufacturer your rim may have little ringlets hiding inside, leftovers from the drilling of the holes on the outside of the rim.

To remove the ringlets shake and tilt the rim until the ringlet is over the hole then carefully hook the ringlet with the angled end of a spoke. Viola! It pops right out.

Lubricate the threads of the spoke so the nipple turns easily.

Lubricate the outside of the nipples also to reduce friction for easy turning. .

Use brass nipples (right) on the drive-side of the rear wheel, alloy (left) for all other spokes.

A piece of tape over the valve stem hole will help easily orient the wheel while you're lacing it.

I've forgone documenting the whole process of lacing the wheel. That is all well illustrated in many other source materials. But what I will say is the process is quite simple. Once you get started it all makes sense.

Late Substitution

2011-03-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Spring is on the horizon and I have emerged from blogger hibernation to document the final stages of the Soma Smoothie build. An important question lingered in my mind over the months since the Fall. That question is this, "Why put all of the time, energy, effort and money into assembling a fine collection of Campagnolo components and then include with that group a budget brand bottom bracket?" I've been trying to keep the costs down with extensive shopping, comparison and seizing the moment when the price is damn near unbeatable. Since I already had an inexpensive BB which came with the Record crank set I figured using it was a sensible way of cutting my expenses. It is but really why not just scrape up the cash to upgrade to a quality Campy BB, and shop around just like I had for other parts? The answer was clear. So here I have a shiny, new Chorus bottom bracket and am I ever pleased because of it. It's only fitting to compliment the rest of the Campy drive train with more Campy. Am I right? The thought of having a ride equipped with a lesser quality version of a crucial component and whatever surprises it may have in store is one that would bother me every time I'm on the bike. So this was both an aesthetic and practical decision. Now, my ideal choice would have been a Phil Wood with titanium spindle, but that just wasn't in the budget and realistically this is a perfectly acceptable compromise. A welcome compromise for that matter. The Chorus BB has the reputation of longevity which is comforting knowing as long as I care for it, it will spin and spin for years to come. As well, the design of the Chorus is the same as the top-of-the-line Record except for the carbon housing sleeve that allows the Record to be lighter. Since saving a few grams is not a priority I believe I've made a wise selection. Quite.

Prepped

2010-09-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Picked up the frame and fork from the LBS the other day. I dropped it off just to have the head tube and BB shell raced and faced, but immediately realized there was other work I needed them to do for me because I do not have the tools (or know-how for that matter) to do so. These tasks included reaming the seat tube, racing the fork crown, and installing the headset (and fork subsequently). After considering the time, effort and cost involved for me to apply frame saver I had the professionals do that as well. The assembly is coming along well so far. I've built the wheels and will have a forthcoming blog post on that process. I still need to true them though. A job I'm not looking forward to based on previous experiences with truing wheels. Little by little the Soma Smoothie is making its way to completion. I still have a few of odds and ends to secure - handlebar plugs, headset spacers and front derailleur clamp - that will hold up the assembly for a bit, but at the pace I'm going right now being short a few parts is only a minor bump in the road. The salmon pink color of the Chris King headset really pops out against the white frame. I like it. A lot.

The Gang's All Here

2010-09-04T22:38:00.000-07:00

With the recent purchase of a seat post, spokes and tyres, all major parts and components have been secured and the build is ready to begin. First up are the wheels. I've been resourcing a couple of reference materials to learn myself on the practice, or "art" as one master builder calls it, of wheel building. I will have a shop ream and face the head tube, face the bottom bracket shell, and press the headset. I'll then assemble the whole kit, have the steerer tube cut, and with some fine tuning it will be ready to roll. I figured the time to get to this point of the process would take 6 months or so. That was two years ago. Before putting even one mile on the bike a special relationship has already been established. I'll be damned if I give it a name though.

On Second Thought

2010-07-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the way when my decisions with the Soma Smoothie build took a turn toward a classic style one part just didn't belong any more. The carbon forks were keeping the bicycle from totally embracing the look of years gone by. What the Smoothie really needed to complete its vintage aesthetic was steel forks. The change will add many more grams to the overall weight but the difference will not concern me, I'm not racing in the Tour. I'm actually quite excited about this development and even more anxious now for the final result. Another mind changer had to do with the nature of the material of carbon parts. Odds may be in my favor that the forks will not break, but I still don't want to tempt fate considering the price I will have to pay in flesh alone in the event of carbon failure. Even if the forks were to merely crack, not breaking completely and sparing me from gruesome injury, they would still be compromised and need to be replaced. In comparison, steel provides piece of mind. Steel is resilient. Steel is reparable. Steel is real.

So what to do then with the Profile Design Silencer SL fork I already have? Craigslist. Don't want to end up with two forks for one bike so I gotta sell before I buy again. I listed the fork and a week came and went with no responses. I listed it again and the very next day I got an inquiry. Another day later it was sold. I took a minor hit in recouping my money, but that's par for the course in these cases. The buyer turned out to be a 16-year old guy who showed up at my door with a scale in hand. It's safe to say this kid was a complete bike geek, and I mean that with sincerity. The way he thought out loud about the carbon fork and it's addition to his bicycle in run-on sentences. His preoccupation with verifying the weight of the fork on his digital scale, never averting his eyes from the matter at hand while we talked. Our interaction was both fascinating and strange. If you've witnessed or encountered fanatics of Magic the Gathering, or comics, or Star Trek, and their enthusiasm for their love of these things you get the idea. Except for this young man it was bicycles. I was kinda proud to be contributing to his passion. This sort of zeal for beloved pastimes that is equally endearing, amusing, admirable and troubling is the reason why the Comic Book Guy is my favorite Simpsons character.

Within a matter of a few days of the Craigslist sale I had ordered and received a new Tange chromoly steel fork with lugged crown. Thank you Soma! This baby was intended to pair with my Smoothie frame, down to the sparkly pearl white paint. The sleek blades of the fork compliment the traditional tube sizes of the frame, whereas the fat blades of the carbon fork were disproportionate and it looked mismatched. The correlating color scheme is an important improvement as well. An interesting note in finding the fork on the Soma Fab website is it is not listed under the "Forks" section, but rather in the "Frames" section as an option with the pearl white Smoothie frame. I guess that makes sense being this particular fork was intended for a particular frame of a particular color, but then if I'm looking for a fork I would intuitively go to the forks section, not frames. I just so happened to be browsing the frames section and discovered the fork by dumb luck. Anyhow this whole situation played out how I had hoped it would and I am on track to finishing a sweet bike build. I'd like to continue this paragraph so that it extends to the bottom of the photo on the left because that's just how my mind works, but I'm out of thoughts on this subject.

Daddy Gets A New Pair Of Shoes

2010-07-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

For about a month my Dell laptop was out of commission. I wouldn't say it crashed, but rather crashed and burned except it burned first then crashed. The motherboard overheated and one, or more, of its components fried causing the computer to freeze up. It took some trial and error troubleshooting to figure this out and so a couple of new sticks of RAM, a new recycled CPU and new recycled motherboard later the computer is up and running again. So on with the blog post.

If Darth Vader's Imperial stormtroopers had a cycling brigade these shoes would be standard issue. And that's about the nerdiest Star Wars reference you will ever hear from me. A little personal history first before I continue on about this Shimano R086 cycling shoe. The last pair of cycling shoes I owned were made by Cannondale. They were good quality and just comfortable enough. I bought them in 1988 or '89. Rather than having the velcro straps common to most shoes today these shoes were lace-ups. They were made of a full leather upper with a hard plastic sole and that is about the extent of their construction. When I say leather upper I mean that's all it was, leather. One layer of leather, no lining. Holes in the material allowed for air flow but there were really not enough of them. You see too many air holes would compromise the structure of the shoe. If you've worn cycling shoes and ridden a bicycle in them (and chances are that you have if you're bothering to read this blog) then you know that structure is important. You need to feel that the shoe is firmly holding your foot in place on the pedal. You can't have the foot moving around in the shoe during the act of pedaling. You can't have that feeling of the foot rolling off the outside edge of the shoe. These Cannondale shoes did not provide that level of confidence. The leather upper was tough enough to take numerous scuffs and scrapes, and it formed to my foot just fine, but it was too flimsy to hold my foot in place like I needed it to. Why did I buy these shoes in the first place? Two things: money and selection. There was one shop in my rural town that even sold cycling shoes, and of the handful of models they had on the shelf this was the pair I could afford. I had these shoes for 10 years, using them for about 5-6 of those years, until I rid myself of them. That was another 10 years ago. So about 20 years in advancement of cycling shoe technology has come to pass until now when I have purchased my second pair of cycling shoes...the Shimano R086.

I've ridden in these shoes twice now on my current steed, the KHS Montaña Comp which has been modified over the years from a 21-speed hard tail mountain bike into a single-speed urban commuter, and first impression is very good. They offer the necessary amount of support and structure expected in a shoe. The toe box has a generous patch of mesh material to allow for air flow into the shoe and keep the foot cool, yet the end of the toe has enough firmness to protect the little piggies. Three adjustment straps do their job well of fitting the shoe to the foot. The outer sole is made of plastic, hard enough to sufficiently transfer power from the foot to the pedal. I'm not sure a graphite or graphite composite sole is actually necessary in a cycling shoe unless you compete at one of the highest levels of the sport. The fit of the shoe and feel of the interior is very comfortable. For a moderately priced shoe for a recreational rider the Shimano R086 has so far proven to be a good value. And of course they look pretty damn cool with their black on white color scheme.

No Dice

2010-06-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

What we have here is a very nice lugged steel fork with a polished crown. It is part of the Soma Stanyan frame and fork set. I saw this on the Soma Fabrications website and thought it would be a very nice alternative to the full carbon fork over which I am having second thoughts. Knowing it is made for the Stanyan frame I sent off an email to Soma anyhow inquiring if the fork can be purchased individually. It doesn't hurt to ask. Here is my inquiry verbatim:

To Whom It May Concern,

I'd really love to have the polished, lugged fork that comes with the
Stanyan frame for my Smoothie. Do you sell that fork separately?

Kevy

A few days later I received a response from Soma which was simply one sentence:

Sorry we don't right now.

Well, that certainly answered my question.

Busted!

2010-06-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

This is not a photo of a bike I own. This image is taken from the entertaining blog Busted Carbon which showcases cases of carbon failure in events of crashes, flying debris or even simple JRA (just riding along) scenarios. This picture and the many others at Busted Carbon illustrate why I will not have a carbon frame. I never want to be on a bike when the frame snaps like that. The odds are in your favor that it will not happen, but still if and when it does pray to your God that you come out of it in one piece. This damage isn't repairable. At least not worth your efforts to repair. As is testified to by some of the owners of these frames, the manufacturer isn't so willing to replace the frame either. Good chance you could be SOL. A steel frame will endure most of the crash and smash situations it's carbon cousin wont. I haven't been 100% on the carbon fork I bought for my Soma Smoothie, and seeing some of the examples at Busted Carbon has me closer to opting for a steel fork instead. The weight difference between the two doesn't mean much to me. The lack of options in a 1-1/8" threadless steel fork is the problem.

It Wasn't Supposed To Be Like This

2010-05-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

This bottom bracket is where I make the major compromise on the Soma Smoothie build. The pre-built bikes on the sales floor of the local dealership require a variety of compromises. They will have some good components, but not the ones I prefer. Hence this whole bike build thing. Faced with my extremely tight budget for this project I just might have to cut a corner somewhere. Ironically (or is it coincidentally?), those pre-builts are great for a tight budget. The Record crankset I bought came with a complementary Token brand bottom bracket which seems will do the job just fine, but I've had designs on a much higher quality option like a Phil Wood or Campy Record. Something that will turn like butter and turn, and turn, and turn for a long time. For the time being though this little brick will have to suffice. Now I'm no weight weenie but this is clearly a heavy sucker, weighing in at 213g (.47lbs). Initially, I don't think I'll be effected much by the extra weight, but I will eventually be relieved to have the inevitable upgrade. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be a piece of crap. On second thought it is probably worth the money to at least invest in a higher quality BB, not top of the line necessarily, but better than this. Could save me some grief.

Something Askew: Shimano Dura Ace Skewers

2010-05-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who would spend weeks searching for just the right skewers? I guess most would just take the first acceptable option. But since I have the time to be picky, I will. My reasoning is as simple as I just wanted something classic looking. And as with all the other parts I've selected for the Soma Smoothie I didn't want to end up with a choice with which I wasn't absolutely satisfied. There are many nice skewers on the market designed to be pretty, practical and functional, but nothing really captured my longing for old-school-ish aesthetic than the Shimano Dura-Ace with its updated version of the skewers that your daddy and grand-daddy had on their wheels. They're sleek, shiny and understated. The problem I came up against was they are one of the more expensive products of their kind. With a little patience though I was able to secure a rear skewer and then a couple of weeks later completed the set with a front companion, both new, and both on eBay for half the retail price. Done deal and I'm very satisfied with the result.

Totally Not Tubular

2010-05-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

What a dry spell since my last blog post! You really gotta be motivated with ideas and subject matter to write about in order to keep a well maintained blog. If you're not producing a couple of entries per week the search engines wont even recognize your blog. The purpose of this exercise has been to journal the process of building a new bicycle from square one, piece by piece, and record my thoughts and experiences throughout. And what could make following my chronicle of the venture interesting is the fact that I've never done this before. That is build a bicycle from the ground up...but also keep a blog as well. It's been a challenge though authoring a worthwhile read when the bicycle build is so drawn out and having not much to write about in the meantime.

Entering into the wheel phase of the Soma Smoothie build I had the opportunity to choose tubular tires over clinchers, which I've ridden on my whole life. Those who have tubulars will say there is a noticeable difference in ride quality. They will praise their superiority. Despite this there are good reasons to go with clinchers. To begin with, I am a recreational rider. I doubt the improvement in quality of ride will benefit me much. The performance level of tubulars is appropriate for professionals and avid racers, not really this "soul rider". Second, when I have a flat on the road somewhere far from home I'd much rather have the relative ease of an inner tube change than be faced with the uncertainty of whether or not a sealant will hold up in a tubular tire, or riding the rest of the way home with a replacement tire held on by what ever glue is remaining from the original. I'm sure one day I'll have a second set of wheels and learn of the joys and frustrations of tubulars, until then my primary, singular set of wheels will have clinchers.

Visions Of Dancing On The Pedals

2009-09-02T22:29:00.000-07:00

Considering the drawn out manner in which the Soma Smoothie build is coming along I would probably be a good candidate to head up an airliner project at Boeing. The fact is the excess money I have to put into the bike isn't exactly abundant and there are periods, like currently, where I have to devote every single one of my dollars to other expenses and financial responsibilities. O, to be wealthy. But then if I were loaded with cash I could throw down for a dream machine at any moment and just wouldn't appreciate it nearly as much. When this rig is up and running it will be my ride for life. Or something like that. The longer the process, the more meaning there is in the experience

The Hubub Is All About: White Industries H2/H3 Hubs

2009-08-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

It's too bad they are a couple of the least visible parts on the bike because these White Industries H2 and H3 hubs sure are gorgeous. This kind of bling needs to be on display where it can be easily admired. To say the design and craftsmanship is beautiful would be understated, but then maybe understatement is most appropriate to reflect their simple beauty. A few weeks back I ordered two H2 hubs - one front, one rear. To my surprise what I received was one H2 front hub and one H3 rear hub. A little research revealed that the freehub body of the H3 is an updated design to accommodate the Campagnolo 11-speed systems. A nice convenience for me if I ever replace the 10-speed drive train with an 11. Holding one of these in the hand, they are light - the front is reportedly 97g and rear is 252g. The White Industries rear hub is one of a few brands known for a characteristic noise when it spins. The ratcheting sound of the spinning freehub is not as loud as a Chris King hornet's nest, but it is distinctly louder than most. I'm curious to hear it buzz when I have the Soma Smoothie out on the road.

Velo City, Here We Come

2009-08-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Velocity Aerohead rims are in hand and they look pretty. They are quite simple looking, but it's a simple beauty. The outer side walls are machined to a shiny metal finish while the rest of the rim is a matte silver. I'm still getting used to the unusual appearance of the rear rim with its off-center design and am curious to see the final wheel build. The idea was this Soma Smoothie would be an American-Italian venture, though with the Shimano pedals and now these Aussie made rings it is a multi-nation union. The hubs are on order and I will be building the wheels myself, a project I'm excited to begin. I'll be documenting the process in this very blog. These wheels will be sweet.

Mercy Seat: Selle San Marco Zoncolan

2009-08-05T18:47:00.001-07:00

The Selle San Marco Zoncolan is not made of gold, nor is it accompanied by the angelic presence of cherubim. It is however deceivingly comfortable and freaking light as a feather. My hope is that with this seat when I am attacking a particularly steep climb on the Soma Smoothie I will feel the heavenly wings of those cherubim carry me upward to the summit. The Zoncolon is long, lean and versitle, designed to accomodate the agility needed for moving around and out of the saddle when climbing. The nose has a little extra padding as well. At first I found the design of the nose a bit odd looking, but soon came to really love it's flair. Quality materials went into this seat with a leather cover and titanium rails. Bike Radar gave it a glowing review, but user reviews I have found have been mixed. Only time in this saddle will tell if it is well suited for me.

One Piece at a Time

2009-07-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

That is how it is for the opportunistic auto factory worker in the Johnny Cash song of the same name who can't afford to buy a whole Cadillac so he builds one by stealing parts from his employer one by one over many years. And so goes my bicycle, coming together component by component, one piece at a time. Although I am doing it in a much quicker fashion (one year versus 24), the parts are actually compatible with another, and I am paying for them rather than sneaking them away from a General Motors assembly line. Over the course of this process I have not been able to help myself from associating the song with my experience and I hear Johnny's voice in my head singing, "I got it one piece at a tiiiime." It has become the theme of this build. Who would've thought there'd be a link between The Man in Black and bicycles?

A Praise Chorus: Campagnolo Chorus D Brake Set

2009-07-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Campagnolo Centaur Skeleton brakes, the decision had already been made for some time. They are in the right price range and offer the level of performance suited for my riding. From what I could gather they are similar in quality to the previous generation Chorus D brakes. Between the two I leaned toward the Centaur because of the updated design, although that was not a deal breaker. As it happened on the very day I was prepared to put down my money this Chorus D brake set appeared to me in the form of a sweet discounted sale price at Cambria Bicycle Outfitter. An amount I didn't need to consider more than once. From time to time Cambria offers 20% off of the already discounted "Hot Deals". This just so happened to be one of those deals. Goodbye Centaur Skeleton., hello Chorus D. I actually like the classic design of these very much, so it turned out for the best.

Little Silver Rings: Velocity Aerohead & Aerohead OC

2009-07-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

I've been going back and forth for months on rim selection between the Velocity Aerohead, DT Swiss RR 1.1, and Mavic Open Pro. All are quality rims for training and club racing applications. Mavic has years of proven performance with the Open Pro. Paris-Roubaix is raced with Open Pro's for example. DT Swiss has the reputation for precision manufacturing. The details of their rims (joints, eyelets, machining) are top class. Velocity is the little company that could, taking on the giants of the wheel industry. They have a reputation so far in quality and service. They also offer a unique feature on their rear rim the Aerohead OC.

I've read stories of all of three having issues with joints failing or cracks developing around the eyelets. With the number of these rims on the roads around the world, these cases are exceptions to the norm. In the end what became the pivitol decision making influence was price point. Coupled with it's OC option, the hard-to-beat price on the Velocity Aerohead pipped 'em all at the line by a wheel length. OC means "off center". The profile of the rim is asymmetrical in order to reduce the difference in spoke tension on the drive side making for a more stable wheel. The OC design has been on the market long enough to have proven itself and earned the recommendation of experienced and respected wheel builders. That's good enough for me. I have a 28-hole front and 32-hole rear on order, in shiny silver of course, and plan to lace 'em up to a pair of White Industries H2 hubs.

Dropped: Deda Newton Anatomic Handlebar

2009-06-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

Other than a few rides on other people's bikes I haven't ridden with an anatomic handlebar...regularly. Classic drops never fit my hand quite right so I think it's time I give this style a go. The market features so many varied models that there was only so much research I could do to feel sufficiently informed on this selection before being overwhelmed by all of the choices. Carbon was never an option so that easily narrowed the candidates down. In the sea of black handlebars I was hoping to find something like the shiny chrome of yore. There are classic steel bars still in production but I'd like to avoid those and stay with a lighter option. As it turns out Deda makes a couple of attractive aluminum models with a polished finish. The Speciale is polished silver with the classic Italian drop, which would be perfect but I've decided I prefer an anatomic design. The Newton is anatomic, comes in a dark polished version and is a slim 210 grams (I'm not a weight weenie but I am trying to reasonably curb grams where I can). Its featherweight is quite surprising. I don't want a bar with a deep drop, nor too shallow either, and this model meets that in-the-middle specification. Although from holding it I can tell there is very little vertical room to slide the hands, which I hope will not feel too restricting when I'm on the road. Crossing fingers. The short reach aspect of the design is a plus though. I don't have small hands, but I do want very easy access to the levers and not feel like I'm having to overextend my fingers. All part of the anatomic fit. Overall I find this bar well tailored to my needs and I'm looking forward to putting it to the test.

Take the C Train: Campagnolo Centaur Drive Train

2009-06-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

The "C" could be for Campagnolo or Centaur. It could stand for ciclismo, cappuccino or campione. The C Train is open to interpretation. I didn't buy this trio of components in one fell swoop, but rather in two different purchases from two online retailers. It was quite fortunate timing for me to get a great deal on the 2009 Campagnolo Centaur front derailleur and then the companion rear derailleur and 10-speed chain in a span of a few weeks. Piecing together a gruppo can be an uncertainty, but with patience and a keen eye all will come together well. Not having put these components into action yet the most I can say at this point is I expect them to perform similarly to the previous incarnations of their Chorus and Record counterparts. This is what the "expert" reviews of the cycling media have concluded at least. As I've noted in a previous blog post, or two, it is natural with any technology for the design innovations to trickle down from the top over time. While they await their installation I can at least admire the shiny, polished alloy and imagine how they will look on the completed bike. After all that is half the fun, acquiring the parts and envisioning the full assembly in the mind. The other half, naturally, is the actual building of the bike. That day is not too far off.

Pedal Hard: Shimano PD-R540

2009-05-30T21:55:00.001-07:00

I've only owned one pair of clipless pedals in my years of cycling. Those were early model Speedplays I bought in 1993. I used them for a number of years until I sold my Centurion LeMans RS and have had only my KHS Montana Comp mountain bike to this very day. I really appreciated the two-sided design of the Speedplay pedals, but I was often disappointed with the trouble I had clipping out of them and the hot spots I experienced more than enough times for my comfort level. This time around I decided to ride the larger platform of the SPD type pedal with the hope for better comfort. Because I don't have any history with this kind of pedal I figured I would start with a basic to mid-level model and go from there. When I learn the subtlties of the pedal and levels of quality and perfromance I can graduate to a higher end model. My research found the Shimano PD-R540 had a great amount of positive user feedback. It falls into the basic to intermediate level, and to seal the deal I got a bargin of a price. A price that is hard to turn away, so I didn't have to contemplate this purchase much. I'm sure I will discover quickly how well these perform and how to adjust to their little quirks, if any. Then I'll know what features to look for in a pedal when I want to upgrade in the future.

Mission...Control: Campagnolo Centaur Ultra Shift

2009-05-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

By comparing the blog entry dates one can tell I'm not a prolific writer by any means. I created this journal not out of a love for blogging, but a desire to record the progress of the making of a bicycle from the ground up. The coming together of parts has been a slow process. This has been in part due to research and price comparison and primarily because of a lack of funds to put into the project. This set of Campagnolo Centaur Ultra-Shift levers I've had for some months, just haven't gotten around to including them here until now. When I decided on a Campy gruppo I had set my sights on the Chorus components for their high performance qualities, but after some pricing of the parts I quickly learned I would have to consider the next model down the Campy line, Centaur. Reading many reviews of the 2009 Centaur group by both industry professionals and amateur cyclists put my mind at ease about the downgrade. The quality of this edition of Campagnolo's middle of the pack model is ideal for the amateur bicyclist who needs excellent performance in a price range that won't drain the wallet. The refinements of Record, Super Record and Chorus will not benefit me much at my level of experience and ability. The commonly held opinion of these Centaur shifter/levers is that they are of the same quality of the Record shifter/levers of a couple of years ago. This makes sense being the level of design and performance trickles down to the lower models over the years of product development.

There was a significant enough difference in price between the alloy levers and the carbon Centaur incarnation to influence my decision. The small saving in weight is not important to me either. With this piece of the puzzle in place I have a clear picture of a classic bicycle adorned with shiny steel and aluminum components. I've admitted to romanticizing about this bike capturing the style and aesthetic of the two-wheeled machines of yore, and now my vision of the completed build is ever more exciting. I may not have the skill and ability of Coppi or Merckx, but I will have a classic machine in the fashion of theirs.

She's A Beauty: Thomson Elite X2

2008-12-29T09:54:00.000-08:00

I'm a sucker for the beautiful and pretty things in the world of bicycles. There are times I peruse the online bicycle shops and magazines just to drool over the $1000+ Colnago and Independent steel frames (also known as "bike porn"), and dream of the day I will be riding one. The Thomson Elite X2 was something I happily stumbled upon when researching stems. I have only owned one of this style of stem before, all others have been of the quill variety, and it was on my MTB. So this is the first with which I will be riding on the road. I had a whole lot of learning to do on this subject and started by punching in recognizable manufacturer names like Easton, Bontrager and Ritchey to get an idea of price and quality. Thomson is far from one of the heavy weights in bicycle components. Their two primary products are stems and seatposts. But do they ever make top quality stems and seatposts, and have earned a reputation for it. Thomson came to my attention by word of mouth (or hand in this case) in the bike nerd forums - a great reason for the existence of forums. After looking into the product I was impressed and even excited to secure one of these babies for my bike project. The Elite X2 is not only a gorgeous piece of crafted metal, its silvery body fits nicely into my retro-themed bike build design. Because most stems are black or blacker this shiny puppy was a revelation to find. I am now commited to going full on old school with all shiny, metallic components and am loving the thought of it. I had already decided on some brilliantly chromed out White Industries H2 hubs (yet to be purchased) so adding this stem to the mix convinced me I was already headed down this path of color scheme. Moving beyond aesthetics, the strength and quality of the stem is solid by most accounts. It has a 2-bolt handlebar clamp, as opposed to the common 4-bolt pattern, which for some raises concerns of the bars slipping mid-ride. I think when properly fastened this should not be a problem. Unless there are off-road conditions involved, then I think this design is sufficent. It's light weight coupled with strength. Should make for and excellent addition to the bike. And a final thought to add to all this adoration is when the product is high quality and design, as in this case, I will throw my money down to support the small company like Thomson.

Next Blog Entry: Campagnolo Centaur Ultra-Shift Controls (with Ergopower!)

Soma Smoothie...that's S-O-M-A Smoothie.

2008-11-04T22:18:00.000-08:00

Out of curiosity I conducted a Google search to see where this blog came up using the keywords "Soma Smoothie". The results revealed there are a modest number of Smoothie related websites: a handful of blogs, the Soma Fabrications and SOMAfeed websites of course, a dozen or so online retailers and a few forum discussions. And there are tons of pharmaceutical sites, some legit some most likely not, advertising a Soma drug of one kind or another. Of the 43 pages Google produced for my search I found Immaculate Corpse: A Blog About A Bike deep in the pile on page 39. And that link on page 39 lead to the entry about the Silencer SL fork not the Soma Smoothie frame. I'd like for this blog to be easily found by those seeking info on the Soma Smoothie, or Profile Design Silencer SL fork for that matter. So hopefully today's entry will bump the blog far up on the Google search results. Wonder where I turn up on the Yahoo engine...

14 June, 2009 - a follow up to this post: I have since renamed the blog "Brave New Velo" in reference to the great Huxley novel in which a soma drug is dispensed to the population by the government machine in order to keep the people in a euphoric state. I was never satisfied much with the original title of the blog which I had only settled on because "Exquisite Corpse" was already taken. But then this bicycle does not meet the definition of an exquisite corpse anyway being I am the sole creator.

Sprockets! Now it is time we dance: Campagnolo Centaur Ultra Drive Cassette

2008-11-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Even Dieter's German sensibilities of fine engineering and precision have to appreciate the beauty, craft and performance of Campagnolo components. Having purchased a Record crank, rounding out a complete Record gruppo was a natural inclination. But the top of the Campy line comes at a steep cost. And for what really? What you get with most Record components are lighter, slightly better versions of Chorus components. The performance of the two are usually on par with each other with Record intended for professionals and amateur cyclists with piles of expendable cash. I would be completely happy "settling" for Chorus components, but in many cases they too are pricey. Although...one more step down the line is Centaur, the overshadowed, under-appreciated, hard working and responsible child in the famiglia. Campagnolo has made nice upgrades to the 2009 Centaur components, making them a fine alternative choice when top of the line and the highest of highest performance is not a priority, but rather reliability and bang for your buck. This 2009 Centaur Ultra Drive 13-26t cassette is a little heavier than its bigger siblings, but is more than half the price and still excellent quality. A "compromise" I'm willing to make. I went with a 13-26 tooth for greater climbing ability. After logging (or slogging) X number of ascents I might find I would prefer a large cog as big as 29t. That will be sorted out over time. For the time being I think this cassette size companied with the 53/39 chain ringed crank will serve me well. It appears now that the drivetrain and braking system of the bike will be a pastiche of Campagnolo - a little Record, some Centaur, and Chorus to complete the work. Not bad at all. The purchase of this cassette is also my first since learning about Pro Bike Kit. PBK arguably offers some of the lowest prices of any retailer, internet or LBS. Thanks very much to the current weakening of the GBP versus the USD, I got a great deal. I know PBK will be one place I will turn to over and over again for parts. Cheers mates!

Smoothe Arrival: Soma Smoothie

2008-11-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

A few days ago the Soma Smoothie frame was dropped at my doorstep via UPS. There was excitement in the air as I whisked the box inside to open it. The dog was as anxious as I to see what await inside, poking her snout at the top as if to say, "What could it be? Hurry!" The back order period was about twice as long as projected, but that's OK because I don't have all the components yet to build up the bike completely. First impressions? It's quite light, I was surprised when I picked up the box for the first time. The finish is lovely, the metal-flake pearl white shimmers beautifully in the sunlight. The joint welds are pretty good. For a $300 frame I wouldn't expect them to be much neater than they are. The frame design is practical - rear rack braze-ons allow for the option of touring, functional with its agile and somewhat aggressive geometry making for some quick riding, and aesthetically attractive. General opinion is I got myself a good quality frame most likely worth every penny of its selling price. I'm looking forward to putting this baby on the road.

Pretty, Strong: Chris King NoThreadset

2008-10-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

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.

Ground Zero: A Soma Smoothie

2008-08-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

The initial part, the foundation of the bike...the frame. Over the past few months I've spent hours of research on the web, perused numerous models in shops, and engaged in conversations with other enthusiasts. The selection process has been a thoughtful one balanced with just the right amount of instinct. Considering the various materials comprising frames these days I quickly decided steel is the one for me. Simple, traditional, durable, beautiful. Having recently heard that the cost of steel is jumping I decided now is a good time get that fundamental piece in place. Craftsmanship is of course very important, yet financial constraints limit my choices. Sigh, the ideal choice of a custom frame will have to wait for another day.

My selection focused on the small-to-mid sized manufacturers who offer quality designed and built frames at a price point that fits my budget. Knowing that there are a number of quality bicycle companies in the US and Canada making, if not specializing in, steel frames - Salsa, Surly, Soma, Kona to name a few - I made the conscientious decision to patronize these bike manufacturers. To buy local. I'm under no impression that these bikes are North American made, they are of course made in Taiwan or China. That's just the reality of the world economy these days. Still, I take pride in buying domestic. There are European manufacturers that produce a top notch product. Some of these brands have been revered for decades and some simply en vogue just for their European association. Despite their quality the fact remains that I am drawn to the domestic companies which also have the important advantage of affordability.

Upon first sight I was always attracted to the Soma frames. They meet the craftsmanship requirement and then some with their attention to detail. The lugged frames like the Speedster are just plain lovely capturing the elegance of the traditional steel frame with a contemporary design. The non-lugged frames have very clean joints and an excellent quality finish. Unfortunately the Speedster was outside my price range by a few hundred dollars. But the Smoothie and Smoothie ES fit the part. After a back-and-forth comparison of the two models I decided I'd be happier with the more agile Smoothie. The semi-compact geometry of the frame is what gives it its aggressive nature. I find that to be an exciting feature that will bring a real thrill factor to riding. I'm not going to use this bike for hardcore racing, though I still want something quick and responsive. The rack braze-ons at the rear subtract some from the speedy visual aesthetic of the frame, but then they allow for the option of converting the bike for touring in the future. On the subject of aesthictics I freely admit I like nice looking things. The pearl white finish of the frame is sweet and conveys the idea of light and nimble. And the Soma fiery sun logo is just plain cool - not a deciding factor, but still adds to the affection for the bike. Another non-factor attribute: Soma is West Coast (San Francisco). Being a life-long West Coastie I feel an immediate bond with this brand.

The word on Soma frames is they are solid quality and very well made. I'm confident that I am getting an excellent product for my money. I've ordered one Smoothie in pearl white (other colors available as of this posting are sea blue and forest green) through a company online and should be receiving it in a few weeks when they've restocked in my size. Once I have the frame I will update the blog with photos. As this blog progresses I will be updating a composite picture of the bike as each part is added. I welcome comments and suggestions on the component selection and building process of the bike.