This is the Bike

MSeries

[Not Responding] wrote:
> I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
> first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
> what I'm looking at now:
>
> http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html
>
> Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
> finishing kit should I be thinking of?
I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight than
STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL. can be switched to friction
mode if needed to give un limited trimming, much cheaper and more reliable.
Oozes retro chic, shame about that sloping top tube though. 36 spoke
wheels only please

Simonb

[Not Responding] wrote:
> I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
> first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
> what I'm looking at now:
>
> http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html
>
> Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
> finishing kit should I be thinking of?

The only thing I don't like about Tifosi is the name -- a bit silly
methinks. It's a nice bike all the same; I've seen one in GA Cycles in
Southampton. It's a nice shade of blue.

Simon Brooke

in message <32dbu0F3i70qeU1@individual.net>, JBB
('juliadream@btopenworld.com') wrote:

> Generally Tifosi get good write-ups and are seen to be good value. As
> far as I can make out the main functional difference is that the front
> changer for Shimano moves to 3 fixed positions whilst the Campag one
> works on a mini-ratchet system making it infinitely adjustable within
> it's total range.

Not infinitely. It's stepped, but there are more steps so some degree of
trimming is possible. It's generally possible to trim so as to avoid
the chain rubbing in the front mech - but Campag front mechs have a
(replaceable) resin/PTFE insert in the cage to prevent chain rub
wearing the leading edge of the cage.

--
simon@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

[ This .sig subject to change without notice ]

Simon Brooke

in message <32dnfnF3m8u65U1@individual.net>, JBB
('juliadream@btopenworld.com') wrote:

> " [Not Responding] " <not_responding@dev.null.invalid> wrote in
> message news:ah83s0pva78gnuvok6s7rkff0r2jbfuem8@4ax.com...
>>
>> A quick glance at the Campag site implies that triples aren't offered
>> in all their ranges. I'll probably go for the Veloce.
>
> I take it that this is Scivyer Cycles? John has a good reputation
> locally, it's probably worth talking to him about the whole package.
> That way you can mix and match bits out of different groupsets, get
> the bars and saddle of your choice and a pair of decent hand-built
> wheels. Additionally both veloce and centaur do triple crankset (just
> checked) and you can get the cassette and chain of your choice.

It's also worth pointing out that the Centaur rear mech comes in three
cage lengths. I have the medium cage, which allows me up to 13-29 at
the back on a double. This seems to me a practical, more elegant, and
lighter alternative to a triple (although in practice I use a 13-26).

--
simon@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Woz: 'All the best people in life seem to like LINUX.'
;; <URL:http://www.woz.org/woz/cresponses/response03.html>

JBB

"Simon Brooke" <simon@jasmine.org.uk> wrote in message
news:fub992-do1.ln1@gododdin.internal.jasmine.org.uk...
> in message <32dbu0F3i70qeU1@individual.net>, JBB
> ('juliadream@btopenworld.com') wrote:
>
>> Generally Tifosi get good write-ups and are seen to be good value. As
>> far as I can make out the main functional difference is that the front
>> changer for Shimano moves to 3 fixed positions whilst the Campag one
>> works on a mini-ratchet system making it infinitely adjustable within
>> it's total range.
>
> Not infinitely. It's stepped, but there are more steps so some degree of
> trimming is possible. It's generally possible to trim so as to avoid
> the chain rubbing in the front mech - but Campag front mechs have a
> (replaceable) resin/PTFE insert in the cage to prevent chain rub
> wearing the leading edge of the cage.
>
> --
> simon@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
>
> [ This .sig subject to change without notice ]
>
Ok it's not infinite, just my hyperbole showing! I would however say from
personal experience that with a Centaur set up I have always been able to
eliminate chain-rub bt adjuting the mech as required.

Julia

Simon Brooke

in message <32ebs4F34viniU1@individual.net>, MSeries
('skankmartin@hotmail.com') wrote:

> [Not Responding] wrote:
>> I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
>> first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
>> what I'm looking at now:
>>
>> http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html
>>
>> Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
>> finishing kit should I be thinking of?
> I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight
> than STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL.

In other words, just like a Campag groupset with Ergo shifters, except
you have to grope around on the downtube to change gear.

--
simon@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/


... a mild, inoffensive sadist...

Arthur Clune

MSeries <skankmartin@hotmail.com> wrote:

: I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight than
: STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL. can be switched to friction
: mode if needed to give un limited trimming, much cheaper and more reliable.

Argh. No!

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Not Responding

Simonb wrote:
> [Not Responding] wrote:
>
>>I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
>>first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
>>what I'm looking at now:
>>
>>http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html
>>
>>Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
>>finishing kit should I be thinking of?
>
>
> The only thing I don't like about Tifosi is the name -- a bit silly
> methinks. It's a nice bike all the same; I've seen one in GA Cycles in
> Southampton. It's a nice shade of blue.
>
>

Assuming prices are comparable, where's best; GA or Scivyer Cycles?
Looking at the map, GA is easier to get to; a short walk from Soton
station whereas Sciyer is a convoluted bus trip or a ride up the Big Hill.

MSeries

Simon Brooke wrote:
> in message <32ebs4F34viniU1@individual.net>, MSeries
> ('skankmartin@hotmail.com') wrote:
>
>
>> [Not Responding] wrote:
>>
>>>I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
>>>first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
>>>what I'm looking at now:
>>>
>>>http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html
>>>
>>>Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
>>>finishing kit should I be thinking of?
>>
>>I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight
>>than STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL.
>
>
> In other words, just like a Campag groupset with Ergo shifters, except
> you have to grope around on the downtube to change gear.
>

Err no, there is no cable on the handlebar, shorter cable and less
weight. Downtube shifters are nothing like Ergo shifters. No I am not
recommending a Campag groupset.

MSeries

Arthur Clune wrote:
> MSeries <skankmartin@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> : I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight than
> : STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL. can be switched to friction
> : mode if needed to give un limited trimming, much cheaper and more reliable.
>
> Argh. No!
>
> Arthur
>

Why not, you just know it makes sense. STi/Ergo is a solution looking
for a problem for most cyclists. It really is no big deal taking a hand
from the handlebar to change gear, one does it all the time to signal,
drink, blow nose, eat, pick nose, remove ear wax - don't we ?

Not Responding

MSeries wrote:
> Simon Brooke wrote:
>
>> in message <32ebs4F34viniU1@individual.net>, MSeries
>> ('skankmartin@hotmail.com') wrote:
>>
>>
>>> [Not Responding] wrote:
>>>
>>>> I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
>>>> first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
>>>> what I'm looking at now:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html
>>>>
>>>> Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
>>>> finishing kit should I be thinking of?
>>>
>>>
>>> I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight
>>> than STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL.
>>
>>
>>
>> In other words, just like a Campag groupset with Ergo shifters, except
>> you have to grope around on the downtube to change gear.
>>
>
> Err no, there is no cable on the handlebar, shorter cable and less
> weight. Downtube shifters are nothing like Ergo shifters. No I am not
> recommending a Campag groupset.

I think I'll settle for Campag for the following reasons:

1. However much the retro look and feel of downtubes may appeal, I'm
trying to limit the amount of time without both hands on the bars.

2. Greater (if not infinite) trimmability; I'm going for a triple
however inelegant some may say this is.

3. Less cable at the handlebars is both neater and more bar bag friendly.

4. Given the choice, I'll usually default to buying European[1].
Besides, bike components are _supposed_ to come from Italy.

All I need do now is get down to the LBS and clear it all with She Who
Notices Cash Withdrawals. Can't afford to hang about though, as my
recovery programme requires a half century in January.

[1] Must have a word with the other half. Found some Israeli tomatoes in
the fridge yesterday. Out of season. Lots of food miles. And the rest.
Where do I begin?

MSeries

Not Responding wrote:

>
>
> I think I'll settle for Campag for the following reasons:
>
> 1. However much the retro look and feel of downtubes may appeal, I'm
> trying to limit the amount of time without both hands on the bars.


better get a Camelbak too in that case. ;-)


>
> 2. Greater (if not infinite) trimmability; I'm going for a triple
> however inelegant some may say this is.

DT levers are your friend here, without a shadow of a doubt. I;-)

>
> 3. Less cable at the handlebars is both neater and more bar bag friendly.

You'll love DT levers for this reason. Less cables around the stem and
headset area too. ;-)

>
> 4. Given the choice, I'll usually default to buying European[1].
> Besides, bike components are _supposed_ to come from Italy.
>

Suppose I could allow Campag DT levers, they do still do them don't
they ? or buy second hand from a European that way those nasty Japs
didn't get YOUR money. ;-)


> All I need do now is get down to the LBS and clear it all with She Who
> Notices Cash Withdrawals. Can't afford to hang about though, as my
> recovery programme requires a half century in January.


Your wife will prefer DT levers, they are cheaper. ;-)


>
> [1] Must have a word with the other half. Found some Israeli tomatoes in
> the fridge yesterday. Out of season. Lots of food miles. And the rest.
> Where do I begin?

Clive George

"MSeries" <skankmartin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:32ebs4F34viniU1@individual.net...

> > Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
> > finishing kit should I be thinking of?

> I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight than
> STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL. can be switched to friction
> mode if needed to give un limited trimming, much cheaper and more
reliable.

A lot of modern frames lack the brazeons for DT shifters - they have cable
stops for ergo/sti/bar ends. This Tifosi frame is no exception.

I still reckon it's worth looking at the kinesis racelight-T frame - I think
in practice it will be very similar to the tifosi, but the headset is 1 1/8
rather than 1".

cheers,
clive

Clive George

"MSeries" <skankmartin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:32g60pF34mnauU1@individual.net...

<on how great DT levers are>

Forget DT levers, you want bar ends.

cheers,
clive