A Bike Is Built -- Log

Friday i decided on, and picked-up what i'd replace the DeRosa with: a 2005 Argon18 Radon T3 - a lovely frame and fork, aluminium front triangle, carbon stays and fork - a nice mix, that is remarkably close in geometry to the DeRosa, so it actually rides much the same...tho considerably more solid - especially noticable climbing (both in and out of the saddle.) Haven't done a sprint yet....i'm sure it'll rocket tho. It also does a fantastic job of soaking up the 'jitter' of small bumps...should make it very comfy on long rides.

So Friday was the big day, picked 'er up and spent the day swapping components over. I'm amazed to say that i did not need to make a single visit to the bike shop to do the job! (Probably a first!!) Only thing i added was new (matching) bottle cages. Otherwise, all parts swapped over nicely, and replaced a few cables.

Here's the process by photo:


Looking pertty in the garden.
Love the matte black finish....


The new and the old...about to be deflowered. ;)


Here you can see how the frames compare side-by-side.
Pretty darn close. I think the DeRosa was actually a 53cm..


The DeRosa has been stripped, so very few parts make a bike!


Getting there!
The scrubby brush below is just some $3 Rubbermaid dish
brush i found in the grocery store, but super useful.


Fini! Looks pretty sharp.

Exciting stuff.. ;)

I think my next upgrade will be some 'race' wheels....anyone got any 9spd Campy wheels they wanna get rid of? =)