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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This is my first post. I feel obliged to post to point out that the Fizik tape is 'patent' in nature in the lower section (drops) but transitions to branded and matte in the upper sections.
Whilst this can allow a fine show of your taping skills, it's not really in keeping with a frame of such traditional beauty, which I feel would work best with simple white perforated tape (unbranded) such as that made by Deda and Silva. A white and black (or pictured white and blue antares) saddle would set this off, otherwise, I'd go all black.
Were an Easton made Dura Ace post of the period to find itself on the frame, it'd be a happy post indeed.
@Musket
Way to make an entrance man! Very good suggestions as the perforated tape would certainly be "period" and be quite a match to the cinelli bars.
I'll have to scour the interwebs for said post.
Righteous, mate.
@Musket: and you come out all guns blazing... nice post. Particularly liked the "Whilst this can allow a fine show of your taping skills..." awesome. And then you tie it all in with a return to Rule 8 and black, black, black.... be obliged more often, please
@George
I think I prefer the FDJ saddle, but I'm not sold on the blue and white bar tape, which puts me in agreement with @Musket. And the more I think of it, maybe this ride needs a more old-school saddle. These very contemporary ones don't look quite right.
@Steampunk
This is why I'm leaning black. Yes, it is a contemporary saddle but at least in all black it'll be more subdued. Furthermore, I'm struggling with the introduction of another color (white). As Brett pointed out, it's not a christmas tree. I love the antares though as it's what's on my other bike and as I said, I like the boys to play in the same neighborhood.
and although I'm fairly confident in my taping skills, I could use more work.
If you wanted a more "old school" saddle, but don't want an old school beating betwixt your tuberosities, I'd go an all black Regal E (new Regal) - similar width (150mm v 147mm) and shape to the Antares, but with old school Regal cred. It's even available in limited numbers with old school rivets at rear.
So far as worrying about another colour with white, I wouldn't. White is a primary colour, and so long as tape and saddle match, it'll work just perfectly. If anything, it'll better show the blue and yellow of the frame. Yellow or blue tape with a semi matched saddle run the risk of making your bike look like an optical illusion. If colours worry you, start with removing the decals from those rims.
I'd use some King stainless cages, or Elite Ciussi stainless on that too.
@Musket
I like where you're going with this. Something tells me you've got a gorgeous bike(s) lying, er being ridden, around. And yes, the decals are coming off the rims. Definitely thinking elite ciussi cages with yellow nubbins.
I may be harsh but I am oh so wise.
anybody know anything about these?
Ninja Stars?