Scarab Letras Disc - Chianti not-so Classico

[livesadventure]

Thanks everyone, I've been really excited going through the process with Scarab and am thrilled with the near-final result.

The Ritchey fork is pretty essential for this model, allowing the lighter weight 1 1/8 headtube that is visually inline with the skinny tubes (mostly Kansei and Columbus spirit I believe). If I recall it has a bit longer rake than an enve fork, which fits with my road bikes off road mentality.

The alto wheels are actually loaners but they've been great. I put a few hundred miles on a demo Scarab before committing to one with another set of Altos and both sets have rolled really well and seem to be really easy to set up tubeless. These are too deep for my preference.

Should have my cockpit and wheels dialed in next week, then I'll give a thorough writeup of the process etc...

[ColonelJLloyd]

So Wolf Tooth EC lowers use 45/45 bearings? I could not find this anywhere when spec'ing a headseat to use with my Ritchey fork.

[Heisenberg]

Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd

So Wolf Tooth EC lowers use 45/45 bearings? I could not find this anywhere when spec'ing a headseat to use with my Ritchey fork.

no, we swap the lower bearing out.

[adamhell]

nice! i want to ride it again. can't wait to see/ride it with shorter stem.

also, i think you should keep the deep wheels!


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[livesadventure]

Originally Posted by adamhell

nice! i want to ride it again. can't wait to see/ride it with shorter stem.

also, i think you should keep the deep wheels!


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It’s at the shop now getting shorter stem and slimmer wheels and new bars




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[livesadventure]

Frame: Scarab Letras Disc (Kansei with Columbus SL chainstays)
Fork: Ritchey WCS Carbon Road Disc
Headset: Wolftooth
Stem: Fizik R1 Cyrano R1
Handlebars: Enve Compact 42cm
Group: Campagnolo Potenza H11
Tape: Silca Nastro Piloti
Pedals: Speedplay Zero
Seatpost: Fizik Cyrano R1 setback
Clamp: Wolftooth
Saddle: Brook C13 (may change to Selle Italia SLR)
Wheels: DT Swiss 350s to DT Swiss 470db
Tires: Schwalbe Pro One TLR 30mm (tubeless of course)
Bottle Cages: Tanaka Stainless Steel

After riding second-hand custom bikes for years (Sycip, Spooky, Parlee, Stinner, Speedvagen, Rock Lobster, Mosaic) the time was finally ripe for a custom bike. When the Paceline’s own Heisenberg working with Scarab Cycles, I was excited about the Letras Disc, a steel disc road bike with classical proportions and skinny tubes. With the workshop here in San Francisco, I was able to ride a demo bike for a few hundred miles and be sure of what I wanted.

A fit confirmed what my friends have long known and I’ve suspected, I’ve been riding bikes that are too big my whole life. ETT and reach on the final product are significantly shorter than all of my previous bikes. The goal was to build a quick, responsive bike that would climb like a goat while providing a bit more confidence descending, as I’ve gotten cautious after a few wet slide outs. A slightly longer wheelbase and slacker headtube help this out.

Nate and Scarab have had a great track record of turnaround times, but no one could expect the pandemic. My spot in the queue was just about up when they closed their workshop temporarily. Not expecting the uptick in component sales, the frame arrived in SF this summer to a complete impossibility finding a 105 group and DT rims per the original build.

On a whim, I bought the last Potenza H11 group on closeout from Wiggle and rode the bike with loaner wheels from Scarab. Braking is extraordinary and the shifting crisp, yet I’ll probably swap it out to Shimano at some point. I also had the bike drilled for di2 for the *fingers crossed* Ultegra 12 speed di2…

The paint fades from “Chianti” to “Soft Golden” atop a motif of coffee beans. With the campy group, it pays a beautiful homage to Colombia and Italy, both countries close to my heart where I’ve had great rides.

Heisenberg and his brother now run Outsider Cycles in San Francisco. They did an exceptional job designing a bike with Scarab Cycles for me and the build is top-notch. One of my favorite details is the rear brake adapter they machined in the house because they are sold out everywhere. A more detailed ride report to follow once the smoke clears.

[Hilltopperny]

This is beautiful! I really like the build and details!


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[samkl]

Gorgeous paint and build!

[philhan89]

Fire Pics!!!
I vote you save some cash and stick with Campy. Gives the bike more "Chianti-ness". Congrats on first full custom and am eager to see more of this whip on the road!

[sosuperx]

that fade is perfect!

[madsciencenow]

Looks really great. I like the colored bits. I don’t think I’d seen a WT HS yet. I’m also voting for hanging with the Campy


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[livesadventure]

I rode Sweeney ridge and planet of the apes in Pacifica Sunday. Can confirm the bike handles smooth single track beautifully


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[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by livesadventure

I rode Sweeney ridge and planet of the apes in Pacifica Sunday. Can confirm the bike handles smooth single track beautifully


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“Planet of the Apes” is such a cool, off-the-beaten track ride.

[livesadventure]

This bike now wears an ultegra group, as cool as the campy was the ergonomics and crispness of Shimano is for me


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[b_thesing]

This bike rules! I love the skinny tubes and truly custom paint job. Thanks for sharing.