May Week 3 – Entry for ‘Bike of the Month’

Another spectacular entry from Dave Clark based in New South Wales, Australia. Of course this bike will be very interesting to OldVelos in Europe as it celebrates the career of Stephen Roche and the ‘Golden Days’ of Irish cycling. It is interesting to note the high regard Dave has for the often maligned but in our opinion beautiful Croce d’Aune groupset. Have a look at the photos and decide for yourself…

Bicycle Make:           Battaglin

Bicycle model:          Columbus SLX

Date of Manufacture:    1988

Equipment:

This frame by virtue of the top tube decal celebrates the achievement of Stephen Roche in 1987 of becoming the World Champion, of course in this stellar year he won the triple crown while riding for team Carrera.  However, this bicycle has not been built as a homage to Stephen Roche.

The frameset purchased in 2012, is NOS made from Columbus SLX tubing and is finished in team Carrera colours, I suspect Battaglin were trying to cash in on Roche’s achievements in the previous year.  The groupset is the Campagnolo Croce d’Aune groupset, my absolute favourite Campagnolo groupset.  I think I was just blow away by the engineering of the rear derailleur with it’s twin axle design incorporating the push rod which enables it to track closely the rear sprockets and the cable ‘ramp’. The build also incorporated the best of Campy engineering (depending upon one’s view), with Syncro2 shifters, SGR clipless pedals and Delta brakes.  The bicycle is a joy to ride, the indexed shifting is crisp, yes the SGR pedals are difficult to unclip from a process that  involves a bit of learnt technique to execute, nonetheless they work.  As for the Delta brakes well they aren’t too flash from the hoods, but from the drops there is plenty of stopping power and modulation.  As I ride all my bicycles the wheels are Mavic open pro clinchers purely for convenience.

Other information:     

Build details:

Frameset         Battaglin SLX  NOS – 126 mm rear spacing & uncut steerer

Crankset         CDA    Used/Mint – 52/42 Chainrings

Bottom Bracket           CDA    Used/Mint – Italian thread, steel cups

Pedals SGR    NOS – Campy’s first clipless pedal 1987 to 1991

Front Derailleur           CDA    NOS – Same as Chorus & Athena

Rear Derailleur            CDA    Used/VGC – Short cage 28 tooth capacity

Shifters            Record Syncro 2 Braze on     NOS – Fitted with correct CDA 7 speed Grey syncro insert

Gear Cables    Campagnolo   Modern – Campy inner cables & NOS pearl white RD outer

Freewheel       Suntour 7 Speed 13-23           NOS – Well they are probably better than Regina

Chain   Regina Anniversario   NOS – Recommended for Syncro shifting

Brakes             CDA Delta       Used/VGC – Penta drive – 5 pivot version

Brake Levers  CDA Power Grade     Used/VGC – Diecast metal body, identical parts as for Record

Brake Cables  Pearl White Outer       NOS – C-Record with modern Campy inners non-aero routed

Hubs    CDA Low flange 32 hole         Used/VGC – CDA hubs have no protruding dust caps

Rims    Mavic Open Pro         Modern – 32 Hole Silver

Spokes            DT Swiss Revolution  Modern –  lightweight, slim and double butted

Tyres   Veloflex Master 23      Modern – Racing/training clincher with gum wall appearance

Headset           Chorus            There was no CDA specific headset

Stem   3ttt Record      Used/Polished – 1970’s vintage, but I love these stems!!!

Handlebars      3ttt Grand Prix            NOS

Bar Tape         Stella Azzurra  Personal choice & perfect blue colour match to frame

Seatpost          CDA    Used/polished CDA – Styled on the Chorus seatpost

Saddle Sella San Marco Rolls            Modern – version of the classic used by Stephen Roche

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