What bike won't get nicked, that I would still want to ride?
Discussion
In that case, get the Tektro 90 degree pipe on the same order:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BSTKCGP90D/tektro-ca...
Remove, grease and replace the threaded adjuster before installation - makes everything miles easier, and less likely to seize.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BSTKCGP90D/tektro-ca...
Remove, grease and replace the threaded adjuster before installation - makes everything miles easier, and less likely to seize.
I did buy the noodles with inline adjusters and finally, today I intend to use them.
Since renovating my 2010 allez into a commuter I've not used the Kona, so it's time to take it off the road and do the drop-bar conversion I'd planned.
Here's what it looks like this morning
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/kji3q1mO.jpg)
Here are most of the bits
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/xTxXcSHe.jpg)
The plan is:-
o remove the billybasic shimano/FSA rusty chain-ringed tripple setup (a bit of a shame in one sense because the cassette and chain are virtually new and it's all actually running very sweetly).
o remove the tektro v-brakes which isn't a shame because they aren't working all that well with dodgy return springs they're not well adjusted members of the bicycle community.
o take off the flat bars and existing stem.
o fit the mini v-brakes I got my parents to pick up for me for my 42nd birthday
o fit an old deda stem I have lying about
o fit some cheapo brand-x drop bars from CRC
o Install drivetrain, tiagra chainset from the old allez, 105 10sp shifters, derailleurs from the colnago (plus cassette and chain from that bike).
o maybe take the basket off, not sure about that yet.
o cable outers will be black, the deda bar tape is a dark petrol blue like the frame, maybe an affront to the rules and a mistake, but we'll see
Since renovating my 2010 allez into a commuter I've not used the Kona, so it's time to take it off the road and do the drop-bar conversion I'd planned.
Here's what it looks like this morning
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/kji3q1mO.jpg)
Here are most of the bits
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/xTxXcSHe.jpg)
The plan is:-
o remove the billybasic shimano/FSA rusty chain-ringed tripple setup (a bit of a shame in one sense because the cassette and chain are virtually new and it's all actually running very sweetly).
o remove the tektro v-brakes which isn't a shame because they aren't working all that well with dodgy return springs they're not well adjusted members of the bicycle community.
o take off the flat bars and existing stem.
o fit the mini v-brakes I got my parents to pick up for me for my 42nd birthday
o fit an old deda stem I have lying about
o fit some cheapo brand-x drop bars from CRC
o Install drivetrain, tiagra chainset from the old allez, 105 10sp shifters, derailleurs from the colnago (plus cassette and chain from that bike).
o maybe take the basket off, not sure about that yet.
o cable outers will be black, the deda bar tape is a dark petrol blue like the frame, maybe an affront to the rules and a mistake, but we'll see
I have temporarily immobilised my car by attempting to fix the air-suspension pump and sheering a bolt leaving it stuck in the pump. Needing to travel by train again while I sort the car out I've been prodded to fix this bike up so I completed the drop bar build up yesterday.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/hdr42cVI.jpg)
I'm not happy with the colour of the bar tape or the stem, but it rides well, feels very sure footed. Having transplanted the drivetrain over from another bike, I re-used the chain which was a mistake. I knew it was too short but vowed not to use any of the larger three sprockets with the big chainring. Of course a mile from the end of my commute this morning I forgot and had to spend some time un-jamming everything. There doesn't seem to be any permanent damage done and I'll pop out and grab a new chain from Evans in a while.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/hdr42cVI.jpg)
I'm not happy with the colour of the bar tape or the stem, but it rides well, feels very sure footed. Having transplanted the drivetrain over from another bike, I re-used the chain which was a mistake. I knew it was too short but vowed not to use any of the larger three sprockets with the big chainring. Of course a mile from the end of my commute this morning I forgot and had to spend some time un-jamming everything. There doesn't seem to be any permanent damage done and I'll pop out and grab a new chain from Evans in a while.
Cheers BM.
The frame was probably a bit small for me as a hybrid really. It's labelled a 54cm and according to a fit chart I found I should be on a 56 as I am roughly 6ft. The stem is surplus because it was too long for me on my 54(sloping) Colnago. As a hybrid I had the seat extended out to the max I think and I'd flipped the stem and rotated the riser bars to get the maximum reach.
So it doesn't seem uncomfortable right now, I've probably ridden about 4 hours/60 miles on it so far. Having lost some weight and been exercising a lot more this year, a bit of extension may be ok. When I got a mo I'll compare the stack and reach between my bikes and see where this one fits in. I should probably be more concerned about fit given how much time I spend on the thing.
I love the Allez build I put together for the commute a few weeks ago, but I had a sketchy ride when it was wet and braking distances were terrible so I'm glad to have this bike as a deep-winter warrior.
I have half an eye out for something with big tyre clearance and hydraulic-discs but I'm a bit too stingy to commit to that idea. Am considering Juin hybrids on this, but I'd need to do a disc wheel build first and I'm not certain I'd love the result enough to justify the effort. I'd probably still be hankering after something shiny - maybe next summer's project will be a london road build.
The frame was probably a bit small for me as a hybrid really. It's labelled a 54cm and according to a fit chart I found I should be on a 56 as I am roughly 6ft. The stem is surplus because it was too long for me on my 54(sloping) Colnago. As a hybrid I had the seat extended out to the max I think and I'd flipped the stem and rotated the riser bars to get the maximum reach.
So it doesn't seem uncomfortable right now, I've probably ridden about 4 hours/60 miles on it so far. Having lost some weight and been exercising a lot more this year, a bit of extension may be ok. When I got a mo I'll compare the stack and reach between my bikes and see where this one fits in. I should probably be more concerned about fit given how much time I spend on the thing.
I love the Allez build I put together for the commute a few weeks ago, but I had a sketchy ride when it was wet and braking distances were terrible so I'm glad to have this bike as a deep-winter warrior.
I have half an eye out for something with big tyre clearance and hydraulic-discs but I'm a bit too stingy to commit to that idea. Am considering Juin hybrids on this, but I'd need to do a disc wheel build first and I'm not certain I'd love the result enough to justify the effort. I'd probably still be hankering after something shiny - maybe next summer's project will be a london road build.
Barchettaman said:
In that case, get the Tektro 90 degree pipe on the same order: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BSTKCGP90D/tektro-ca...
Having the adjusters has already come in handy! Cheers!This story ends on a positive note. A friend is going through a tough time and wanted a cheap bike to ride with her kids, so I converted the klunker back to stock flat bar, standard v-brakes, all new cables and everything and sold it to her for £50
N-1 means I can build a new super commuter ready for next winter and remain S-1
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Q2GUYUHZ.jpg)
N-1 means I can build a new super commuter ready for next winter and remain S-1
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Q2GUYUHZ.jpg)
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