12/17/14 - More about parts. In my last post, I talked about a Record/Chorus mix group that totaled about $850 or so for the basic parts.

Note a group consist of shifters, ft and rear der, cassette, chain and usually brakes. Here, I'm with v-brakes (Paul Minimoto - $198/pair), so it will be priced separately. Any group that comes with the brakes will either be sold or put on another bike!

Other misc not included in the group include: seatpost (have a C-Record), stem (have a nitto), handlebar (probably getting another nitto noodlebar - $65) and headset (Cane Creek S3 are available for $30!).

However, being cheap, I'm starting to think again about the alternative. An ultegra 11 group can be had for about $650. In fact, Tom said he has such a group and would "make me a deal!"  Further, if I wanted to go lower, Ribble sells a 105 11 speed group for $472.88 shipped!  That's really cheap! 

Still, I'm a Campy guy and it would be hard to go with something else. But, I'm still thinking about the money saved, especially since I have this other expense called a Kitchen Remodeling....

12/15/14 - OK, I know I'm suppose to focus on my kitchen and important things like appliances (what kind of gas range am I getting, domestic or professional style?), sinks (single, deep?), faucets (how high?) and other accessories to get my kitchen project started, BUT....after talking with Paul yesterday, I'm actually starting to believe the frame is going to happen!

You want proof?! Well, I was in Tony's shop last week and he had a couple of Cooper frames hanging and a Taylor sitting near by.  Tony wasn't there, but I asked Paul whether he's been in touch with him. Apparently, Paul is working kind of indirectly with a guy to get frames to Tony! The white cooper with the blue panels on his website is now or at least was hanging in Tony's shop and its been sold!

Further, Paul said he's coming over at the end of the month to not only deliver me a frame, but some others to Tony!  

So, the real important question is what kind of parts?!  Di2 is my first choice, but I didn't get the frame set up for it, so that's out. Mechanical ultegra is cheap as I've seen it at around $650 for the group. However, I'm a Campy guy! 

The good news is Ribble is discounting all their 2014 Campy Record and Chorus stuff as the 2015 has been redesigned, especially the new 4-arm crank. Since I still like the old look, that's probably the way to go. It will be a mix of Chorus and Record since some things are already sold out. Here's my parts list:

Chorus Ultra Torque crank 172.5 34/50 rings - $256.60

UT bb cups - $21.12

Record Ultra Shift shifters  - $288.73 (Chorus is $250.23)

Record rear der   - $216.82 (Chorus is $192.43, but its a 2015 model and might not be compatible with 2014 shifters)

Chorus cassette 12-29 - $124.47

Kmc chain 11 speed  - x11L is $32.02; x11XL is $47.42 (I'll probably stock up on the cheaper one!)

BUT, ribble has a xmas sale and I can get another 12% off! (discount code - xmas12) or $112.77 discount for a total of $827.04

Misc from other sites:

Record ft der (I think its like a 2004 or so) - $40

Cane Creek S3 headset black or silver - $30

Paul mini-moto v brakes - black or silver $89 each or $198/pair

Oh yeah, I have a nice C-Record seatpost, but its silver and so far everything else is black, Nitto 11cm silver stem and an Avocet saddle. I'll need to get a handlebar. Maybe another Noodle bar (44cm, $65)

So I guess the total will be $1160.04?  Wow, that's a lot! But I guess I'll have top shelf parts at discounted pricing....

12/14/14 - Well this is different! Talked to Paul Taylor today! He called to talk about lugs. My original thought was to have a nice long point lug with holes in it. Similar to Bruce Gordon:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3225/2890228009_9e608a563d_b.jpg

Well, Paul wanted to know what direction I want the lugs?! He said I could have it on the drive side or non-drive side. I chose the drive side since that is the side where most people look at the bike.

He going to send some pictures of his progress. Hopes to deliver last week of December! Whoo hoo!

12/13/14 - Ha, I like today's date! Anyways, yesterday I saw that on 12/9/14, PT posted some pictures of a new bare frame he made on his website. Title Columbus Spirit frame, it looked good! But it didn't have any lugs and had a ft der mount that I didn't specify.

I emailed Paul and he responded this morning that he should have some lugs up today or so!  This is now getting exciting! He also said that the plan is to deliver the frame to me in person along with some other frames (maybe to Tony?!) I'm liking it and will definitely give him a "tip" if this actually come through!

12/12/14 - Just went to PT's blog and saw he posted a new frame! Nice looking, but it's definitely not what I ordered! No lugs and there's a ft der braze-on mount!  I emailed him to see what's up!  Don't get me wrong, the frame looks great, just not what I ordered.

Hey, if this is actually what I end up getting, I wouldn't be too disappointed as at least I got something.  Still, let's see what he says!

12/12/14 - On 12/9/14, received an email from PT apologizing for not getting back to me but he's had the flu and was out sick! He was planning on getting started drilling the lugs.  Since I got a virus about 3 weeks ago, I told him no problem.

He also said that 40mm tires was the widest he could go. That works as I'm planning on probably getting some 700x35 tires.

Finally, I asked him, again, to send some pictures of the lugs when he's done. Haven't heard back yet, but its only been 3 days!

12/3/14 - new way to update blog! As I stated in my kitchen blog, the main problem with this format is I can't see my previous postings.

What's new? A couple of days ago, 12/1/14, PT emailed me stating that he was going to look into the tire clearance issue and would get back to me. I informed him that after thinking about it further, I could live with clearance for 700x35-40 tires. We will see if he responds.

I also asked if he could send pictures of the lugs before he started brazing. That would be really nice. But, hey, if I get something back, I'm not going to complain!