Bella Build

[UpWrong]

I did that to mine with a Terracycle idler, although I kept the return idler above the front wheel too.

https://scottishborderscyclist.wordpres ... this-time/

I have since put the power side tube back on to stop contact with the tyre but it worked fine without too.

Interesting. I think this would be easier on the Paseo than on the Fuego. My sense is that the friction comes from the lateral deflection of the return chain line by the idler. I'd retain the chain tubes but re-route the return line so that it stays below the power line rather than it crossing the power line both vertically and horizontally as it does now.

[UpWrong]

I've decided to go with 70mm drum brakes. I have a front wheel ready to go and have ordered a drum braked wheel build for the rear. Why drum brakes? Mainly because they don't have the disadvantages of V-brakes, cable discs and hydraulic discs. Performance should be acceptable in a 20" front and a 26" rear. A couple of web sites are flagging the SA X-RDC (rear drum with cassette freehub) as discontinued, which would be a shame.

Me being me, I've gone with light single-wall rims for both and double butted spokes on the rear. I like to keep rotational weight to a minimum. No other progress to date. Work still dominates my time but I'm feeling motivated now to start the build

[Campag]

I've used that combination - Sturmey drum brakes, recumbent with 20" / 26" wheels. Works well and easy to adjust. If you haven't already sorted them, you will need a couple of brackets for the brake reaction arms. Easily available from, for example, St John Street cycles or Ebay.

[UpWrong]

I've used that combination - Sturmey drum brakes, recumbent with 20" / 26" wheels. Works well and easy to adjust. If you haven't already sorted them, you will need a couple of brackets for the brake reaction arms. Easily available from, for example, St John Street cycles or Ebay.

Sounds promising. It's not entirely clear what comes with the rear hub and what extra bits are needed. Definitely will neeed a clip for the reaction arm at the front. SJS and PracticalCycles seem to be the best sources.

[UpWrong]

The rear wheel arrived promptly from SJS. It appears to have all the bits needed to install it, including a 22.2mm chainstay brake arm clip. I expect I'll need to get a tandem cable and cable housing to reach the acutator arm. The whole wheel felt really light. It's put away now, I'll weigh it next time I get it out.

I shall need some customised solution for attaching the front reaction arm because the titanium fork legs are a stonking 30mm diameter. I have a couple of ideas. I want a fairly quick release solution to enable easy "folding" of the Bella to get it in the car.

[Campag]

Might be worth looking at the cable stay clips for Sturmey Archer hub gears, available in a variety of diameters and can be adapted to work as reaction clips.

[UpWrong]

Well, with the departure of the P-38 it's time to turn my attention to the Bella. I can't resist going weight weenie on it. I had an FSA Orbit Equipe lined up for it but have ordered an Orbit XLII mainly because it has alloy cups and there's a risk of aluminium corrosion with a steel cup in an alloy headtube. And it does save a few grams

[UpWrong]

Contemplating gearing. I like super-compact doubles with a chainguard. OTOH an 11-speed compact double would be lighter (chain and crankset). It's the 11-speed chainrings which are expensive bits, though I have a 33T inner already.

Option 1. 10 speed 11-36 with a 28-42 super-compact double, 19"-96".
Option 2. 11 speed 11-42 with 33-42 compact double, 19.5"-96"
Option 3. 9-speed 11-34 with 26-40 super-compact double, 19"-91"

I reckon the 11-speed set-up might be 200g lighter.

[UpWrong]

After far too much deliberation I have gone with an 11 speed super-compact 30/42 double with 11-40T cassette giving about 18.5"-95" of gear range. There was no cost premium compared to going 10 speed. Apparently spa TD-2 cranksets and zicral rings are 11 speed compatible and lots of 11-speed stuff is discounted. I've ordered the bits from my 3 favourite suppliers: Tredz, SJS and Spa. Also got a tyre and some tubes whilst at it to get free postage or make use of the delivery etc.

[UpWrong]

Gearing diagram showing the ratio spacing, http://ritzelrechner.de/?GR=DERS&KB=30, ... H&DV=teeth
And Sheldon's gear calculator:

[UpWrong]

[UpWrong]

The RANS sling mesh seat seems to mount ok. I've had some challenges with the steering. The frameset did not come with a headset adjuster. I couldn't fit my RANS in-line adjuster because the fork steerer was too short. I have a Terracycle Glideflex stem but the T-cycle riser was too short having been cut and used on a SWB previously, and the Bacchetta riser diameter is larger. So I made a shim from some aluminium tubing to adapt the folding stem to the Bacchetta riser.

[UpWrong]

The mudguards arrived. The XLC ones are marked 26"x45mm which is good. For the front I got some half price Isla Beinn 20 guards but I couldn't get them to fit. The disc caliper is a complication. I've managed to bodge a trimmed 24" front mudguard with some re-usable zip ties. It's light and narrow and looks ok from a distance.

[UpWrong]

I've found some time and motivation to continue the build. Spa super compact 32/42 double fitted with chainguard onto a 113.5mm Stronglight JP400 BB. Could have gone with 30/42 rings but thought the 10T difference might give a slicker change. Front disc brake fitted and caliper aligned. Needed an extra long cable.

It's going to be an interesting comparison with the Stratus XP. I took that out for 15 mile ride and it's a superb ride once you get used to the low speed fork flop. It has the feel of a quality steel frame which is what it is. The large wheels and compliant frame handle the crap roads whilst still delivering power to the rear wheel. I can definitely put down more power on the XP than on the Paseo.

[UpWrong]

I've now added the back brake, RD and cabled them up. I've done a tidy job so far. I'm going to try a Shimano FD-F443 as the front changer. I think Bacchetta used this with 30/42/52 rings so I'm hoping it will work with 32/42 rings. It's designed for flat-bar bikes so hoping it will work with an MTB shifter.