The road bike

I built up my road bike round January 2008. It's a no-name custom build using Columbus SL cyclex tubing. This tubing has external splines on it, and is quite unique. I used some older parts, including RX-100 cranks, RX-100 brakes, Cane Creek SCR-5 brake levers, and a threaded FSA headset. The crank length is 170mm, which I find to be perfect for me.

From Bronte

All other parts are new, including the Fulcrum racing 3 wheels, with a shimano freehub body. These wheels are great value, strong, and lightweight. Tyres are continental conti black chilli compound, 23mm. I pump them up to 120psi. The small chainring is ultegra 39, and the large is a 105 52 tooth. I would have got ultegra, but the local shop had none in stock. I find 52 tooth to be more appropriate than 53 tooth on the front. Not that it makes a huge difference.

From Bronte

The rear cassette is ultegra 12-25, with an ultegra rear derailer. Shifting is done with dura ace downtube shifters, which are outstanding. Shifting is crisp, and smooth. The chain is also dura ace, because i found a few of them on special.

From Bronte

The saddle is a brooks swift, with titanium rails. It's a bit pricey, but it's comfy, and looks awesome. Pedals are Look Keo sprints, and I use shimano r132 shoes.

I find ultegra to be a good value point. Much cheaper than dura ace, and not far off the pace in terms of performance.

I use this bike for training rides, not for commuting. It's fast, light, yet quite comfortable. I'm a little stuck in the past, and am not interested in carbon or STI shifting. Let alone electronic shifting!