One of my friends recently mentioned he would be interested in getting a road bicycle. He is on a limited budget, given family and other hobby commitments ... so after a few false starts we ended up deciding to try to find something used that would still be a good starting point. I happened to find a frame in his size via the TCC classified ... which was offered by the owner in a full-bike alternative. A great deal, in my view -- a Pinarello Marvel frame, around 10 years old but without much apparent wear, and built up with a mix of Campy 10-speed components, including many new or nearly new components. Also Rolf Prima Elan wheelset. 55,000 yen (around US$450).
It came in two boxes from west Japan, so I got to do the assembly. I was very glad to have the workstand I got for Christmas!
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| Before |
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| After |
One problem -- the seat tube is a bit long for him, so I lowered the seatpost further down. The post was a very long (35cm? longer?) carbon model, and hit the inside of the bottle cage boss before going as far as I wanted to set it into the tube. I tried to swap it for one of my spare posts ... but different diameters. What to do? I quickly got out my hacksaw and fork steerer cutting block, and cut 2-3 cms off the post. Problem solved.
I also added some of the new Shimano Click'R clipless pedals -- which take much less force than traditional SPD in order to disengage. Good for someone to learn how to use clipless. Then it was off to a nearby shop to help him choose cycling wear and accessories, to use up of some of the money saved from getting a used bike ... and he is good to go.
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| Happy bike leaning in front of blossoming Sakura tree. |
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