Help a Retrogrouch build up aTarmac

[Avincent52]

So the good news is that my first ever "modern" bike is on the way.
A 56 cm Specialized Tarmac SL2 from 2010.
(My "current" bike is a steel Serotta with Campy Super record and Mavic tubulars)

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697902490&stc=1&d=1434574896

(Thanks Jalal)

I also found a nice Campy Chorus/Record 11 group in the classifieds
(50/34, skeleton brakes, 2014 style ultra torque cranks, etc. Yes, I know I'll need an adapter for the BB30.)
(Thanks Aaron)

But God is in the details, so what about the rest of the bike?
The cockpit? (I remember when they used to call it bars and stem)
The wheels? (I"m considering Campy Zondas)
The saddle?

I'm a relatively big guy who's got an affinity for race bikes, but I don't intend to race this one.
Short rides. Long ones, I've always loved a bike that feels alive beneath me and I think the Tarmac will be fun.

What about the aesthetics?
The obvious choice is to go with a stealth/murdered all black look.
But what about adding some color in the saddle, the bar tape or even the cables?
I'd love to see pics of your favorite black bikes.

Paceline allowed me to get into this bike I simply couldn't afford new, so I'm hoping for some more crowdsourcing to help make this the best it can be.

[paredown]

If it were mine to do, I would play with the color bands on the seat tube--and match saddle color and/or bar tape and/or?? to echo one or more of those colors.

Full disclosure--not a fan of black stealth look:banana:

[thirdgenbird]

It it were me, I would go with Deda for the bar, stem and post. I would do their black on black. Several levels to suit any price point.

As far as color goes, I've got two ideas:
-white tape, white saddle and wither white or black housing
-black saddle, black tape, and a housing color of your choice (powder blue maybe)

Zonda wheels are ideal for a bike like this. Do her right with some tan sidewall tires. I love them on everything, but especially black bikes.

I not a fan of all black either. Tan tires, white tape/saddle and colored housing help break thing up without being too loud.

[choke]

I'd do something bright with the saddle/tape....perhaps orange or green.

I originally built this with black saddle/tape but I think it looks better now.

http://cycle.ciocctoo.com/031414.JPG

[thirdgenbird]

I love that bike. A lot in common with my bikes.

I wish my record deltas would clear that much tire though. I've got them all the way up and a 25mm lgg rubs.

[choke]

I love that bike. A lot in common with my bikes.

I wish my record deltas would clear that much tire though. I've got them all the way up and a 25mm lgg rubs.Thanks. That's one of the main reasons I prefer the Croce d'Aune Deltas, they have a lot more room than Records.

[Avincent52]

Splendid build, Choke.

I'm wondering about red bar tape (which I'll almost definitely try at some point) and maybe a red saddle (not quite so sure about this)?

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_generated/_generated_uk/bikes/models/images/2000/2011/TCR-Advanced-1.jpg

[thirdgenbird]

I did a red saddle, cables and hoods once.

Thr only thing bought for the build was the hoods and cranks. Everything else came from "the bin"

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/bike-random/2011-10-21155717.jpg

I think I like this better than red tape.

[wallymann]

http://majortaylorcycling.org/bikes/walter_colnago_c40hp-nuovo-retro.jpg

[lil_champ]

I think one of the best ways to add some classic style to a modern frame is the wheels. Maybe some H+Son TB14s or HED Belgiums- clean, classic look but modern quality and performance. Add some tan wall tires like Challenge Paris-Roubaixs.

[choke]

Splendid build, Choke.

I'm wondering about red bar tape (which I'll almost definitely try at some point) and maybe a red saddle (not quite so sure about this)?Thank you. I think the red tape and saddle could look fine, as Walter's Colnago demonstrates.

[Avincent52]

One of the issues is finding a red saddle and red tape that match, and then keeping them clean. Not impossible but....

OTOH, Orange is the new black...

http://www.abload.de/img/isaac326odb.png

http://www.nycvelo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pegoretti-14.jpg

[Tandem Rider]

I had that same frame in that size too!! I beat the snot out of mine. One of the few frames I couldn't break. Good choice for a race bike/tool, you'll like it a lot.

I now have the SL4, (team thang) liked the SL2 better, fit 28's, threaded BB (must have been a mid-production change), and external cables. Guess I'm a little grouchy too...

[Avincent52]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone, and, thanks Tandem Rider, for helping to validate this purchase. It's been a loooooong time since I bought a road bike and I'm hoping/expecting this one delivers.

I didn't really think about the external cables, but I'm planning on doing my own wrenching, so it'll be nice to spend my time riding rather than fishing.

In terms of cockpits, what do people like?
I'm obviously looking for good function and reasonable weight, but the stem and bars are the the parts of the bike you look at all day.
What brand has the style that matches this sexy carbon Campy?

Right now I'm thinking Ritchey and maybe Thompson, but I'm open to suggestions. (Last time I bought road bars, the only question was which model Cinelli.)

[christian]

3TTT Arx-Pro and 3TTT Rotundo or Deda Zero100 and Deda Newton Shallow
White tape
White saddle
Black housing
Zondas
Skinwall tires

[christian]

If you must have some color, I can sell you this saddle (Ti rails) to match your white tape and WC stripes on the frame.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697878206&stc=1&d=1396441469

[ik2280]

OTOH, Orange is the new black...

http://www.nycvelo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pegoretti-14.jpg

Dig this one. Orange looks so right around Halloween, for some reason.

I like Christian's suggestions, but I might go with some handbuilt Record / Archetype wheels. Zondas would be fine, too, though.

[thirdgenbird]

3TTT Arx-Pro and 3TTT Rotundo or Deda Zero100 and Deda Newton Shallow
White tape
White saddle
Black housing
Zondas
Skinwall tires

We are on the same page here. I would go zero100

[mktng]

Record 10 (carbon)
Nemesis wheelset + gumwall.
Thomson bits (stem/post)
3T Ergonova's
Black saddle
Black tape

[eippo1]

I've got Ritchey cockpits on all my bikes with a couple exceptions here and there. Found that the Ritchey Evocurve works for me with everything, but may be persuaded to try a Salsa flared bar for my gravel bike. The Evocurve is really comfy, but there is a backsweep that can get in the way if you like to stand and sprint a lot.

[thermalattorney]

I've got Ritchey cockpits on all my bikes with a couple exceptions here and there. Found that the Ritchey Evocurve works for me with everything, but may be persuaded to try a Salsa flared bar for my gravel bike. The Evocurve is really comfy, but there is a backsweep that can get in the way if you like to stand and sprint a lot.

+1 on the EvoCurve. The way the tops taper gradually combined with that backwards sweep is heaven.

There's nothing wrong with a murdered out bike, just look at it as an excuse to wear more colorful kits :p

I'm a real downer when it comes to adding color via accessories: If you're gonna do it, for the love of god make sure the colors match. There's nothing worse than a bike with 3 different shades of a color. Worse still, tires are impossible to match, so if you go that route they better be the only spot of color on the bike.

Since you're already upsetting your inner retro-grouch, get yourself a pair of tubeless wheels/tires.

[Avincent52]

Christian: That saddle is something. Don't know if I love it or hate it. I do know that I've got a white Regal on my other bike. Much-loved and easily dirtied.

Thermal: I'm completely down with your anti-clash stance.
And colored tires are just scary.
I'm probably going to start cheap and easy with the color.
Try some relatively cheap bar tape with good color like Fizik and try a red, a white or something funky like a deeper orange and see how that compares to murdered.
A colored saddle is more of a commitment, and it's a PITA to change cable housings midstream.
That said, I live just outside New York and in my last office job I wore nothing but blacks and greys, and I was among the more colorful editors.

I like the white tape, colored hoods idea of Saxo-Bank

http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2012/07/NIK6585.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7549031172_c84c554aa1_z.jpg

[Ti Designs]

Define retrogrouch...

I was handed an S-Works SL4 not so long ago, and I wasn't sure what to do with it - well, I know about the riding part... I looked around in my basement and found a bunch of Nuovo Record kits and some Cinelli 65 bars, but there would be problems. First there are no down tube shifter bosses on the Tarmac. Second, the bottom bracket isn't compatible (I could turn some adaptors for a Phil Wood spindle). The bigger problem would be the death squad Specialized would have sent after me - no vintage Campy for that bike. I opted instead for another 7700 kit, with TT chainrings in 44x56 just to make a statement. I used Modolo Curvisima bars instead of Cinelli 65's.

[Avincent52]

Define retrogrouch?
Well I've never owned a road bike that a) wasn't steel b) didn't roll on tubulars c) wasn't Campy equipped. I've never owned a road bike without a quill stem, friction downtube shifters, and brake hoods with cables wafting proudly in the wind.

Except for my Look pedals (which have Greg LeMond Puma shoes) my Campy SR/Cinelli/Mavic/Regina/Clement/Regal Serotta (Columbus SP, with Cinelli cast lugs, built by Ben) is Eroica ready. (I didn't realize there was such a thing until last month. I thought I was just riding.)

But it's not a contest.

The reality is that I'll be much happier with the wider-range gearing and 17 pound weight of the new bike, and if I want to roll steel, I'll just pump up those latex tubes and hit the road.

[soulspinner]

You will give us a ride report, right?:)

[Avincent52]

Sure.
But the frame and group aren't here yet and I still have to buy wheels, bars, cables, and a cassette to make it rideable even if I swipe a saddle and pedals from another bike.

The 3T stuff is gorgeous.
I love the Team with the red stripe even more than the white stripe Pro, but on this bike I think the stealth is the way to go.

It's funny how much attention we spend on components we never see or touch. But it does make sense to get what you want cockpit-wise, because a compromise or a mistake will be staring you in the face forever.

[ceolwulf]

As far as wheels, the Zondas are great but the Scirocco 35 are very similar and a fair bit less expensive, could be work a look as well. I have them on my TT bike and really like them.

[Avincent52]

Thanks for the suggestion, ceowulf. I was pleasantly surprised by the value proposition of the Campy wheels. And the cool 70s/80s car names they use.

[macaroon]

Fizik stem and seatpost (3T do good stems, but their posts aren't so good)

http://www.labicicletta.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1293x798/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/i/fizik-cyrano-r3-seatpost-1.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/12263804506_68266d90d6.jpg

Cables in black; remove coloured stripes from seat tube; get a taller conical spacer for the head tube if you're gonna run the stem high; black tape; white hoods; black saddle with white corners on it or summat. Would look perfect.

[beeatnik]

3TTT Arx-Pro and 3TTT Rotundo or Deda Zero100 and Deda Newton Shallow
White tape
White saddle
Black housing
Zondas
Skinwall tires

this

[ceolwulf]

Fizik stem and seatpost (3T do good stems, but their posts aren't so good)



.


Have these on my CX bike and they are excellent.

[Avincent52]

This Tarmac is pretty much spec'd out how I'd like it, cockpit-wise

3T Stealth
3T Rotundo bars
Thomson post
Specialized saddle.

Black is nice too.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/5133832889_53df216376_b.jpg

[Avincent52]

Tarmac owners like that black tape...
FWIW, the bikes came with very short stock stems. and with red tires that kinda look pink. Not a great look IMHO.
But I like the "skinwalls/gumwalls" on this version as per ThirdGen's suggestion.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4873905800_338162ab2d.jpg

[thirdgenbird]

They class up a black bike. Love it.

[Avincent52]

Suggestion of what kind of tires exactly?
I love the idea of tubulars but the Zondas are so attractively priced I'll give some high zoot clinchers a shot.

[thirdgenbird]

Veloflex.

[ceolwulf]

^ that or Vittoria Evo Corsa SC.

[shovelhd]

Rotundo not Rotunda.

[Avincent52]

I've been thinking about a stealth color scheme, but there's also something very nice about a really vivid red on the tape and the saddle.
Food for thought, especially since the frame and gruppo (but not yet wheels or bars or saddle) are in my possession.

http://media.emercedesbenz.com.s3.amazonaws.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/specialized-tarmac-sl4-pro-race-1.jpg

[Avincent52]

FWIW my tentative build choices for the 2010 Tarmac in nude carbon are:

2013-14 Campy Chorus/Record Gruppo (with old style 5-arm spider and skeleton brakes)
Campagnolo 11-29 cassette/chain
Praxis BB30 conversion
Campagnolo Shamal Ultra wheels
Continental Tires
Black Campy cable housing
3T ARX Stealth Stem
3T Ergosum bars
Black Fizik Performance bar tape
Fizik Arione Saddle (black/red)
A black seatpost of some description

Since I"m down to fussing over the bottle cages...
Arundel? King Titanium? Specialized Rib Cage? Cannondale Immix? (!!)
...I gather it's approaching bikedom.

The frame and groups is here, most of the other are parts are not but should arrive next week.
I took your thoughtful advice seriously, so thanks muchly for all the help.

[ceolwulf]

For cages I am exceptionally fond of the Williams carbon cage. And it's cheap as chips

http://www.williamscycling.com/Clutch-Carbon-Bottle-Cage_p_77.html

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/10/0c1b6dd1e96ad8d9dca95f19b562c693.jpg

[Avincent52]

Thanks for the tip, CEO. I'll take these under advisement.