purplepaul
06-11-2004, 02:07 PM
Okay, I wasn't even considering getting a new bike, let alone a steel one, what with just having a custom Ti built last year. But, when I brought her in to have a new Ergobrain installed, the sign, "$500" underneath this frame got my attention. It was built by Spectrum's Jeff Duser for himself 19 years ago. It has almost zero miles on it because he builds 'em but doesn't ride 'em. The size is one centimeter off from my custom, so all it needs is a slightly longer stem and I'm set.
As the thoughts percolated through my head, I envisioned cutting it in half and having S&S couplers installed so I could pack it up small and travel with it. But, there are several reasons why I just couldn't do that. One is the paint job, which would be ruined by the installation. It's gorgeous. The green is a candy finish over bluish undertones and the white is a beautiful pearl. Yes, I could have the same paint job done afterwards, but that would be at least another $600.
The second reason, and more important to me, is that Jeff meticulously soldered internal cable guides for everything including front and rear derailleurs. You should see these things! It's the most amazing attention to detail I've ever seen. And if I installed S&S couplers, all the internal guides would have to be taken out. I just couldn't do it. In fact, I almost apologized for taking it for his asking price; I felt I should have given him more.
It's all "SP" tubing except for the top tube, which is "SL". It's got a Dura Ace headset and Ultegra post and stem, but I think she deserves Campy Record everywhere except for a custom Bold Ti seat post, King headset and Phil Wood BB. I think I'll stick with my idea of putting a compact crankset on when Campy introduces it in the Fall. By then they're supposed to have a wireless ErgoBrain too, so it should make for a very clean look.
I'll post pictures when she's done.
Steel is real... heavy. But what a fine example of craftmanship. I couldn't help myself.
It seemed fitting to take a picture of the frame with Jeff.
As the thoughts percolated through my head, I envisioned cutting it in half and having S&S couplers installed so I could pack it up small and travel with it. But, there are several reasons why I just couldn't do that. One is the paint job, which would be ruined by the installation. It's gorgeous. The green is a candy finish over bluish undertones and the white is a beautiful pearl. Yes, I could have the same paint job done afterwards, but that would be at least another $600.
The second reason, and more important to me, is that Jeff meticulously soldered internal cable guides for everything including front and rear derailleurs. You should see these things! It's the most amazing attention to detail I've ever seen. And if I installed S&S couplers, all the internal guides would have to be taken out. I just couldn't do it. In fact, I almost apologized for taking it for his asking price; I felt I should have given him more.
It's all "SP" tubing except for the top tube, which is "SL". It's got a Dura Ace headset and Ultegra post and stem, but I think she deserves Campy Record everywhere except for a custom Bold Ti seat post, King headset and Phil Wood BB. I think I'll stick with my idea of putting a compact crankset on when Campy introduces it in the Fall. By then they're supposed to have a wireless ErgoBrain too, so it should make for a very clean look.
I'll post pictures when she's done.
Steel is real... heavy. But what a fine example of craftmanship. I couldn't help myself.
It seemed fitting to take a picture of the frame with Jeff.