Parts, parts, parts...

As things start coming together, it's about time for a components run-down for the cyclocross bike. A bunch of this came from a discount hook-up, which mean I bought several of the parts before there was a frame in sight. So, here's what I have so far:

Frame/Fork: Gary Fisher Presidio/Bontrager Sattelite Carbon

This is the 2009 frame and fork from a Gary Fisher Presidio. It has definitely seen a few miles based on the wear on the paint, but the frame looks good (it's steel, so why worry?) and the fork doesn't have any obvious points of concern.

Stem: Bontranger

This came along with the frame. Not sure if I'll keep it based on the reach and how things feel. It'll be easier to tell once all the components are on the bike.

Headset: Aheadset

Another component that came along with the frame. Don't see any reason to switch this out. I will replace the bearings before I reseat everything though.

Brake/shifter: Shimano Ultegra

This is acually the first component I got for this bike. Knowing that STI shifters can be pretty spendy, especially if you want ultegra or dura-ace quality stuff, I had my eye out on ebay early for these. They're slightly beat up, but the shifting feels good so these should do the job.

Brakes: Crane Creek Canti's

Nothing to fancy, but they'll do the trick. It's cross, so it's got to be cantilevers. Mud, here I come.

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra

I already had the ultegra shifters, so I figured my best bet for compatibility would be an ultegra rear derailleur. Here it is.

A few components have been placed on order, but are not quite in my possession yet. They are:

Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra

This is a component that I really needed a frame to decide on. I figured it'd be Ultegra, but whether it was braze-on or clamp-on and all those sorts of details kept me from deciding on this until just recently.

Front/Rear Hub: Shimano Ultegra

I waffled back and forth on what to do here. I considered Phil Wood for a front hub, but defnitely can't afford it for the rear: I may not have a mortgage, car payments or any kids (that I know of), I'm still a relatively poor postdoc. I should find cheaper hobbies. I considered using a Surly front hub I had, but I'd prefer quick-release hubs. So this combo seemed like the best option.

Rims: Mavic Open Pros

Didn't put a ton of thought into this one. I've had one on the rear wheel of my single speed commuter and it has taken a beating without any problems. These are the rims on the G-star. Solid rims, well made, easy choice.

There are a few things that I'm assuming I'll have, but still need to actually get them in my possession.

Spokes: Double Butted 14g/15g

These should be some combination of Wheelsmith, DT Swiss and Phil Wood double-butted spokes, depending on what I manage to grab locally.

Crankset: White Industries 175 mm

A friend has a slightly older 175 White Industries crank off an Hunter cross bike that is simply too long for him. It should make sense for me, so I think we're making a deal on this, it simply has yet to happen (if I weren't sick this weekend, it would've happened today probably). Not sure what bottom bracket is going to make sense with this.

Still need to figure out what gearing makes the most sense for me on a cross bike. So cassette is yet to be determined.

Enter Phil Wood

Installing a bottom bracket is an interesting process of trial and error. It all comes down to aligning the chainline. The basic idea being you want to center the freewheel in the back with the crank in the front. It's easy to measure the alignment of the freewheel in the back, so it's just a matter of getting the crank to line up.

The Procedure:

1. Screw on the bottom bracket cups and roughly center the bottom bracket
2. Put the crank on
3. Measure the chainline, if it's all lined up, go to step 7
4. If it's not where it's supposed to be, take the crank off
5. Adjust the bottom bracket cups to improve the alignment
6. Go back to step 2 and repeat
7. Things are properly aligned, so measure how far the threads are exposed on each side
8. Take it all apart
9. Generously apply Loctite to threads of the BB cups.
10. Thread it back in using the measurement from step 7 to get the alignment right.
11. Pray to God that the Phil Wood logo lines up in the star cut out of the frame because that would look awesome
12. Jump up and down in victory
13. Attach the cranks

Rejoice:

Didn't get a good picture until a bit later and a few more components were installed. Oops.

The italian frame adds an extra kink - both sides of the bottom bracket are threaded right-handed. As a result, the left side has a tendency to unscrew itself. Less than ideal if you find yourself on a long ride. Best you can do is crank it down during the install and put Loctite on the threads.

Frustration thy name is Shimano

So the nearly NOS Guerciotti frame of mine had a Shimano Sante headset installed on it, meaning the fork was cut too short to install a Campy headset. Damn. Add another component to the list of non-Campy on the Guerch.

So here it is instead:


Supposedly this group was positioned somewhere between Ultegra and Dura Ace intended for the semi-pro rider. So still far above my riding level... Also great if you're planning to build a bike to get married on as all the components are white.

Chrome would've been prettier.

Locales

So where exactly does one find a bike's worth of 1980-90s vintage parts....

Here and there.




4 countries, 6 states, and several bikes stores later...

Bottom Bracket - Nice Woody

Ever think to yourself: "you know what would be fun? firing some bullets at my bike." Well, that's what Phil Wood components are all about. Bulletproof. Great choice for a bottom bracket.

This will be one of the few modern components on the bike aside from the Mavics. Based on what I've heard about the old school cup-and-cone bottom brackets, it is a nightmare. In addition, what were the Italians doing? Besides bizarre choices for threading and so on, extra bonus with an Italian bottom bracket -- right handed threading when you'd like left means the cup likes to loosen itself (physics!). With a California bike heritage, the first component maker to utilize cartridge bearings, and the maker of the best lube around, Phil Wood is a natural fit. If I know what I'm doing, you'll even be able to see the beautiful Phil logo through the G-star. If that's not bike porn, I don't know what qualifies anymore.

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship

Like an amazing metaphor for life, these Cinelli bars/stem will guide the old Guerch. Why amazing? Cinelli was responsible for getting the Guerciotti brothers into frame building and trained them in the art. So the partnership continues.

One side note, the bars are actually relatively modern, but still have the old school Cinelli bar diameter. They also feature the "ergo" bend (see how it's not a smooth curve like most retro bars), which will be nice once it's actually time to go on some long rides. Hands -- you are welcome.

Rear deraileur

Not as beautiful as the earlier versions with the engraved Campy logo, but this one is in great condition nonetheless. Nothing too exciting about this, but it'll be a nice workhorse.

Synchro Shifters

Probably the second most ridiculous component on the bike. Known for their finickiness and lack of desired functionality, these beauties were Campy's attempt to do index shifting in the late-80's to early 90's. These are second generation synchro shifters (but after they did away with the designation between 1st and 2nd gen. why do I know this?). Interestingly enough, these are for 8-speed, which is far less than ideal with freewheel type hubs since it puts more stress on the axle than desired. I have no clue what kind of magic i'm going to have work to get them functioning as desired, but I will probably have the most success just replacing the cog for 8 speed indexing with a 6 or 7 speed version.


If nothing else, they'll work in friction mode and I can just make a clicking noise whenever I shift. ::click::click::click:: Oh, there's the gear I wanted....

::trumpet fanfare:: Delta Brakes ::trumpet fanfare::

Building an Italian bike that's from 1986-1993? If it doesn't have Delta Brakes, it's crap. Less so for the actual performance and more so for the beauty/ridiculousness. A true case of form over function. Likely the most expensive single component on the bike. Ride them for the compliments, swear at them for their operation. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

The best part - these brakes were won on eBay using a friend's iPhone (thanks Danno) at Toronado from a seller in France. Most money i've ever dropped at a bar in one sitting... so far.

Headset (now with speed holes!)

Upon inspection, you may notice the Guerciotti already has a headset installed. It was described as a "boutiquey" period relevant headset from Shimano. But really, what business do Japanese parts have on an Italian frame? Think about the last time Italy and Japan were allied... that ended badly. Almost as catastrophic as that joke.

So on that note, more Campy! The most important part: this headset has speed holes. Literally. Why? because who doesn't like going fast? Whoosh!

Cranks

While you're buying components for a vintage bike build, it is easy to come to the conclusion that money will in fact power your bicycle. In truth, that is only half of the story. So while your wallet will provide the tears, your legs are responsible for the sweat. Enter the mighty crank.

These get a lot of abuse, so finding beautiful ones is not easy. Most of the scuffs and wear don't really show in this picture. That's ok, yet more motivation to actually get out and ride the bike once it's done, unlike this.

Front Derailleur

Slowly but surely the parts trickle in... Not 100% sure this is technically C-record, but it's visually identical as far as my standards go. And the march of progress continues.

It's at least 3rd gen C-record because the cable bolt can be tighten with either 8 mm wrench or 5 mm allen. Why do I know this distinction? I thought i mentioned this is an addiction...

Bar Ends

In a nod to completely overboard superficiality, Bar Ends!

Like the appendix, despite the fact we can all live without these, everyone inevitably has them. You know what I always say: if it's going to cause me extreme pain before it has to be surgically removed, it might as well look nice in the meantime.

And then there was a frame...

What happens when you watch eBay for lugged steel italian bicycle frames for a while? You end up buying one.... at first it was going to be an orange 1989 Olmo NOS frame, but then there was the Guerciotti. Not too many miles, lighter steel than the Olmo, internal cable routing, and I'd actually ride it since it wasn't untouched out of a box.



Now to find all the other pieces... Welcome to the bicycle addiction.