Jim,

Wow the site is really growing! Thanks for all you do.

In the spring of 2009 I bought this 1986 Specialized Allez SE on ebay. It was from Ohio and was in pretty good original shape. The only defects were mis-matched rims, old tires, and a little cosmetic damage on the frame. No matter what I did I couldn't keep the chain from skipping. No big deal since I don't have the legs for a low gear of 42/23 anyway! I bought a 13-28 IRD Freewheel, some 50/38 chain rings, and a new chain and rode it that way for the summer.

I didn't get along with bars. The ramp to the hoods seemed too steep and I wanted a compact double crank to exploit the bike's distance capability. It is a very smooth and comfortable bike. Whether it's the frame, the 25mm tires, or magic, it's a Cadillac of a road bike.

So I went shopping: The Sugino Alpina 50/36 crank and Deda bars are from ebay. The Tektro dual pivot brakes and Cane Creek aero levers are from AEbike.com. Rivendell provided the Nitto seatpost, King cages, and 6-sp IRD freewheel which coasts silently BTW, really cool! The wheels were rebuilt with black Mavic Open Pro rims by Juan at Cycle Pro in Lake Forest, CA. He also provided the Continental tires (700 x25) with reflective sidewalls since the days are getting shorter as I write this in October. The saddle is an Attivo (never heard of the brand, but it was $35 and is comfortable for me) from my LBS. My garage stash provided the Cannondale stem and adapter thingie, bags, and pump.

As for the "Black Attack" of rims, cranks, bars, brakes? I like it and fear not traditionalists all the old stuff is safely in a box in the garage.

I wanted to make the bicycle equivalent of a hot rod; something old with shinny new stuff hung on it that works better. So far I think I've succeeded it fits me like a glove now and it has about the same gearing range as my 9-sp STI bike but with the fun of downtube shifting (indexed) and nice lugged frame. No room for fenders but it's a "So Cal Flyer" for long days in the sun.

Chris Roy

Laguna Hills, California

ccroy2001@yahoo.com