I picked up some ferrules for the brake housings at Oswego Cyclery on Saturday. I spent an hour or so in the afternoon and got the housings cut and installed and the cables run. By the way, the silicone tape that fuses to itself is amazing stuff. No adhesive to turn gooey in the summer sun, but it holds tightly. I might have a gooey mess under the Cannondale bar wrap (I used strapping tape), but not on this bike. This tape is kind of expensive, but it’s worth it.
The brakes are fairly simple to adjust so I got those out of the way first. While I was adjusting, I made sure the brake pads were properly lined up on the rim and that the pads were toed in like they should be. Adjusting the derailleurs is a little more involved, but went smoothly (ha) and shifting seems to be working well all around. I’ll probably recheck everything after a few miles just to be sure that any early cable stretch is adjusted out.
Next is the chain. I do like Wippermann chains and especially the Connex connector. Put the chain on the big-big sprockets and figured out how long the chain needed to be. I pushed out the pin with the chain tool, and the connector went in. Finally, I installed the pedals, with just a little grease on the threads, and she’s ready for the maiden voyage.
I had measured and set the saddle in the same position as on my Cannondale, and it fits fine. The stem that’s on the bike now is too short, but that’s OK because I’m replacing it with a polished silver stem anyway. It is a really nice ride. Part of what makes this bike special to me is that I built the wheels – my first-ever set of wheels. One of the brake pads was rubbing against the rear wheel, so I centered the brake caliper and that stopped. These Campagnolo hubs are really as smooth as butter, just a nice click-click-click as you slowly coast down the road, and the sun glints off each spoke as the front wheel turns.
I put some paint film on both sides of the headtube, and on top of the drive-side chainstay. I will cut some film for the down tube, and that should take care of scratch protection for a long time. So, to wrap it up, I need to replace the stem and wrap the handlebars and it’s done. Maybe some custom spacers on the steerer, just for fun.
Photos to follow.