I built this bike a while back: classic steel frame/fork with modern AXS 12a rim brake groupset. I liked it, but kind of stopped riding it; I finished a couple of other builds and just lost interest. I threw it up for sale and was getting lowballed. That ticket me off, so I road it a bit and forgot how good it is. Decided to spice it up a bit and change the finishing kit to silver. What looks better: the deep carbon wheels or the shallower alu rims? I’m leaning towards the later.
First two pics are in its current state. The last is in its all black original finishing kit.
Also looking for silver crank ideas that’s compatible with 12s shifting.
by dr_zubik
5 Comments
Most go ride your bike bro
Great bike. And I like that colour. The debate over the “bent” Thomson seatpost will never end conclusively but I’ll argue they don’t look “right” on Classic bikes like this.
I prefer the silver finish kit, but the last time I had a silver Thomson stem I was blown away by how much light it reflected in bright sun and I’d see spots after looking down at my computer. Love the low profile rims. I’d be tempted to peel the ZIPP stickers off. And the clunky battery packs look out of place on such a classic bike.
It would have been the perfect candidate for the silver GRX group Shimano put out a couple of years ago though I think it only came in a disc brake version. Campagnolo Potenza came in silver and had caliper brakes.
Most of the new stuff lets that frame down. I think you’ve done a good job considering. But maybe a nice [Nitto S65 seatpost](https://cdn.shoplightspeed.com/shops/633439/files/38542839/768x768x3/nitto-nitto-s65-seatpost-crystal-fellow.jpg) would look really good on there.
This is hot.
I’ve got a soft spot for these old Serottas.
Pic 3 is my favorite. But like, honestly, its splitting hairs. They are all great. I’m always a sucker for a good resto mod. I also love how deep wheels look on these old steel frames.
Silver is always nice, but tbh I don’t know if it matters that much because the derailleurs are both like giant black bricks mounted to the frame. So yeah usually silver is great on vintage builds, but it’s not necessarily wrong to embrace the black modern look and match all the components together. So I guess I’m split. In general modern components are just larger, angular, and often black, which works fine on modern carbon, but looks off on skinny tubed steel. But what can you do?
The alu rims all the wayyy it just works better with the silver components and white logo but with the black load out the bike looks sick too. I’d definitely rock the alu and whip that bike around and not worry too much about damaging the carbon wheels.