The Velominatus’ machine is their own manifestation of personal taste and demonstration of adherence to The Rules. We each, in our own way, meticulously maintain our bicycles and adorn them with the essential, yet minimal, accoutrement. Yes, we must Obey the Rules pertaining to bar tape, tyre selection, saddle choice, stem height, color matching and so on. But within those parameters there lies flexibility and choice.
Furthermore, this site is a refuge we turn to for brotherhood, community, and belonging. However, cyberspace is a vacuum in that we apply and practice our craft apart from one another, spread to all corners of the globe. With this in mind, I offer an experiment, Il Gruppo Progetto, inspired by Brett’s Il Progetto: Bosomworth. The intent, dare I say charge, of Il Gruppo Progetto, is for our community of Velominati to come together in designing my new build project, a Serotta Colorado AL.
I picked up the Serotta frame and fork recently to further my adherence, em, obsession over Rule #12. Although not a top shelf Serotta (think of it as Maker’s Mark as opposed to The Glenlivet), it is a platform worthy of respect, care, and craftsmanship. As fall arrived I found my foul weather steed in need of replacement and the Serotta was the perfect combination of material, style, and economics. My mind was flooded with ideas of how I might build her up. Then I thought of all of you, your experience, ideas, and of course, passion.
So as fellow Velominati, I humbly ask of your counsel for this build. The basic platform is as follows:
As you can see from the list above this worthy steed is in need of much more. Bars, stem, bar tape, saddle, seat post, possibly a fork, tires, chain, headset, and cables. Please keep in mind the following:
So there you have it. My proposition is for us to come together in a modicum of further connection than what cyberspace allows. My hope is that the finished build will be a tangible symbol of our collective wisdom and a reminder to me of what we, the Velominati represent, as I ride this bike.
Thanks in advance for playing.
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@frank
Another sano method is a rubber O-ring. It easily adjust to "Merckxish" adjustments made on the fly too.
Not directly on point, but a bit relevant to the Trek / Cannonwhale / Bonty hatemail: Spent two weeks in Chianti recently, enjoying pasta and vino rosso but badly missing cycling. (Suggestion from She Who Must Be Obeyed that I buy a nice Italian steed while there was nixed on the basis that I can't afford it - particularly if, as I suspect, she would see it as justification for equal expenditure at Prada). So, naturally, I kept a keen eye out for fellow cyclists - anticipating at least some regular vicarious enjoyment of Italian frames and kit. There is very little about Chianti which could ever disappoint me - but this was one of them. Saw quite a few Bianchis - though more often thaan not they were not high-specc'd and were being ridden by guided tours whose participants were often quite a lot more than two months from peaking. Saw quite a few older steel and alloy bikes ridden by the locals - generally well maintained, and being ridden by people in nice kit. But did not see many high-end Colnagos, Pinarellos, etc. Rather, I saw a vast number of ... Treks and Cannondales. Ridden by Italians. I had been prepared to see Toyotas almost outnumber Fiats and Alfas. But I had not been prepared for the preponderance of American brands in preference to the local offerings. Can't attest to the prevalence or otherwise of Bontragers. But I have my suspicions.
If you want to go a little left field, convert the rims to tubeless, Stan's sealant and Hutchinson intensive 25s. You should NEVER flat. And if the frame doesn't have one already drill a little hole underneath the bottom bracket so water can run out - imperative for a long lasting steel rain bike. And steel is cool for a rain bike just like it is cool for any bike!
Alright, I'm going with the Cinelli 101 stem (first quill stem pic'd) and taking James' suggestion on the IRD headset. Drop the wheel issue guys, it's not happening right now. Any suggestions on bars (44's), bar tape? I'm thinking another Antares to keep my boys playing in the same neighborhood as my #1 bike (and asking cyclops to embroider a V-cog on it if he can forgive my bontragers)
That Cinelli 101 stem is definitely sweet. I believe it comes in either a 26.0 or 26.4mm clamp diameter, but only Cinelli makes 26.4mm bars. If you want to score massive obscure kit points, find Cinelli EXA hexagonal dropbars from the 80's. ;)
@Marko
Been a productive day at the office, hmm?
@Colin
Oh boy. Now we will be confusing the hell out of everybody. It was bound to happen that a one-eller would join the group. Welcome.
@George.... I hear you brother. It brings us back to that age old conundrum: what the fuck have the italians ever done for road cycling? they don't even appreciate the beauty of their own homegrown equipment. But Chianti.... Barolo... Brunello di Montalcino... it's like drinking liquid silk... and you need a stopwatch to measure the finish. V jealous of your trip, but understand: She Who Must Be Obeyed must be obeyed, particularly on vacation.
We have a new concept in our house (built off back of Commonwealth Games) of earned rides... not 'medals', but 'pedals': Gold Pedals = 75km - 100km; Silver Pedal = 50m - 75km and a Bronze Pedal = <50km. Pedals earned for good parenting or housekeeping. I'm currently under negotiations for a 'Titanium Pedal' (100km - 150km) and a 'Weapons-grade plutonium pedal' (Free pass to go out and bury it on the bike for as long as I damn well can).
@G'phant
I wonder what influence Liquigas has on the Cannondale appeal in Italia. I ride a CAAD9, and love it, so I don't know what all the fuss is about.
@roadslave
As clever and elaborate as all this seems, it sounds as though it's in violation of Rule 11.
@Steampunk
midterms. easy. i give exams and take them home at night to grade.