Winter is Coming....

-

Since 2019, I've become a semi-avid cyclist. At age of 54, I decided I wanted to get back in shape, but living in a very hilly area, I was unable to actually ascend them.

So I started with an e-bike, and have progressed, as my fitness increased, and my weight decreased, to using a gravel bike (Giant Revolt 0) and an endurance road bike (Canyon Endurace CF SL 7 Disc).

I'm very happy with my bikes, but being higher quality than the old CCM targa 10 speed from high school, I really don't know "exactly" how to service them.

To learn to do so, I've decided I'm going to build a new bike, totally from scratch, as a "winter" project.

I DO want a decent set of materials, but I also DO want to be cheap.

So, after much research, I've decided to go for a "cheap chinese" carbon fibre build. 

I've not actually bought anything yet, but have been researching some options from sites such as Chinertown and YouTube videos such as from TraceVelo and have some ideas.

Have been reaching out to some frame manufacturers to start, and I "think" I've settled on a frame, but until I do, I won't post it. 

This blog will likely be sporadic as ordering and receiving these parts will be time consuming, and I can't really build anything till I get at least 2 things.


I will try to do some pictures and/or videos of unboxings as I receive items tho, and will post updates here for that.

I will need to order:

  • Frame
  • Handlebars & Stem
  • Bartape
  • Wheelset
  • Groupset & Bottom Bracket
  • Seat (I do have one, but might get a carbon fibre one to keep the theme)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I've been Framed!

-
Image
My frame arrived today! This is a CFR 1056 frame from  Carbonda.com   It's matte black, size 56. Has internal cable routing, carbon fibre fork and seat post.  I didn't realize I needed a headset, and my handlebars will unfortunately not work, so will try to sell those, and replace with ones that do. I am thinking I may try to paint the internal form and rear wheel areas to look something like this, but I'm really not sure its something I have the talent to do. (PS: If you know anyone that does, let me know!) While I'm not trying to be totally as light as possible, I am trying to see how light I can be with what I hope are decent, though low budget parts. I've not weighed the fork or seat post yet, but the frame, including some guides for routing and a cap to protect the seat tube, weigh in at 1087 grams.  So thats pretty light in my books. I am still hoping to order one or the other of wheels or groupset next month, and the other the month after. Still need a few to
Read more

Barred (again)

-
Image
  I received my new handlebars this past week, with some spacers and headset bearings and the headset compression plug. Te original bars seem great, but I wanted fully internal routing of my cables, and they weren't built for that. My mistake there. I also didn't realize that there were pieces I needed that didn't come with by default, namely the bearings and compression plug. The bearings are pretty self explanatory, the plug though has a nut that compresses the plug against the fork tube to keep things in place.   As the fork and tube are carbon fibre, need to use a plug like this, with a specific amount of torque to keep it tight on the one hand, and not break anything on the other. Next week, or the week after, I should have my wheels, and then, once I pick up a set of tires, I might be ready to start building!
Read more