Oltre XR2 build on the cheap

[Calnago]

I wouldn’t spend a dime more on this project until I could absolutely get that dropout fixed properly, and if not, then the only thing I’d invest in would be a wall hanger for wall art. I’m assuming that dropout is aluminum alloy, bending it will weaken it as you know, and it’s already been severely bent as it is to get to it’s current state. So it’s already been severely compromised. And the amount of material you would have to remove is simply too great in my opinion. I’d never be able to ride that with confidence.

[Discodan]

After consulting with a some people who are smarter than I, I’ve got to a decent solution on fixing the dropout. As mentioned in previous posts and responses this risk of metal fatigue was too high to attempt straightening the dropout.

Looking at the load pattern on the dropout, which is mostly vertical with some requirement for rearward loading when hitting pot-holes, I’m pretty confident that there will be enough material to provide the required support. The additional support offered by the dropout will help, as will using a high clamp-force DT Swiss skewer rather than my normal WW QR. Most single speed MTB’s with horizontal dropouts are running QR’s alone and don’t have problems with much bigger hits so I trust it will be ok.

A bit of careful time with the dremel and I was able to cleanly open up the dropout again and with the hanger installed it’s looking quite neat if I may say so

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[Discodan]

I had taken Calnago’s sage advise and not invested any further money until the dropout issue was resolved, I’m now confident in getting back into it

My LBS was able to help me out with an unused XR2 seatpost and clamp for a great price as well as the compression ring and top-cap I was missing so I’ve not got all the basic frame parts.

They are also offering a silly cheap price on a R8000 mechanical groupset minus the cranks. I’d planned on the Campy route but for $1,000 less the Ultegra has a certain appeal although I’d need to sort out cranks. They can give me a FSA SL-K crankset which was the original spec on the XR2’s but I’m not sure, the nice thing being they are a native fit for the BB386; Does anyone have experience with the FSA cranksets, I’d heard they were prone to loosening despite all efforts and loctite?

I had planned on using a Kalloy WW special stem but the dealer is practically giving away some nice Reparto Corse stems with matching Celeste highlights, no idea what they weigh but that could be tempting. Once again, does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks again for all your input and experience


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[DJT21]

THe dropout looks fine, I would'nt worry about it. I wouldn't use a DT skewer either; go Campag. Same goes for the groupset, go with the Campag, take your time and find some reasonably priced second hand parts. Building it with Ultegra is all well and good, but boring!

[DJT21]

Also, Campag cassettes are quite expenisve and Campag freehub equipped wheels are less readily available second hand as Shimano/SRAM ones are. So go for Shimano/SRAM freehub and use a Shimano 11 speed casette which should save you some money.

[DJT21]

Another heretic thought; Campag chainsets are usually expensive, 10 speed SRAM Red ones are usually cheap. They're also lighter than Campag. Use one of these and strip the graphics off for more weight savings.

I've practically built the bike for you!

[Calnago]

Hmmm... so could we get another shot of the dropout without the hanger on it, just to see how much material is actually left in the dropout itself?
And keep in mind that the material that was left has already been severely compromised in order for it to have been bent so badly in the first place. I understand what you’re saying about most of the force being vertical, but one pothole could change all that in an instant.

[Discodan]

Agree with your points and I’ve mulled them all over as well. Here’s the shot with the hanger removed, there’s a fair bit of material removed but I’m confident, not 100% sure, that there’s enough meat in there. if you think about it, the size of impact it would take to move the force vector from vertical to even 45 degrees would be huge. Back of fag packet calcs and gut feel would say the kind of hit that would make you cringe and possible destroy a carbon rim would still only move the force vector 20-30 degrees off vertical. At that point all of the dropout material is still there and then you add the frictional force of the clamp.

This isn’t a cutting edge weight weenie frame like others I’ve seen, it’s pretty solidly engineered (in the modern context) with quite a thick dropout. I’m not 100% comfortable with it, but I’m also comfortable enough to ride it.




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[Discodan]

@DJT21, I’m definitely going the Shimano cassette and freewheel regardless to allow for future reuse of the wheels.

With the groupset I may just start with the Ultegra and then find some Campy over time, the Ultegra will then be perfect on my gravel bike. It’s kinda not as much fun just building it up perfectly the first time and never touching it again, I enjoy the process of finding parts and upgrading and tweaking over time

I’ll see how it goes when I head into the LBS over the coming days. I didn’t mention that they are shutting down so are very motivated to move floor stock at the moment. They’re a great bunch of guys so it’s a real shame they’re closing


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[Discodan]

The pieces are amassing, got a great price on the Crankset and it's lighter than dura ace but not exotic light. The stems are a bit heavy at 140g but worth it for the matchy matchy



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[Discodan]

Interesting one on the brakes, whilst I’m working out what brakes to use (leaning towards DA R9100 as I have a rear caliber already) the shop gave me some Reparto Corse calipers which seem to be generic Bianchi fitment. I’ve got no idea how well they work but they are 13g (149g cf 162g) an end lighter than R9100



So, do I go for the DA’s for the assumably better braking or save my money and just use the Bianchi calipers, does anyone have any experience with them?


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[Discodan]

The stem came in ok at 122g for 110mm so I’ll keep that. The Wheel Mfg BB386EVO BB came in at 105g which is a bit porky, might have to upgrade that in the future


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[silvalis]

I've never used reparto corso calipers (my infinito cv came with athena calipers) but if you look around at the cheaper bianchi reviews that come with them specced (via nirone, intenso, impulso, etc) they usually have a go at them for being crap, on par with spesh axis and common tektros.

At least they are dual pivots. You could probably just do a quick fix and throw Koolstop Salmons/Swissstop BXP and they would brake relatively well.

[WorkonSunday]

not sure your local pricing, but i would take one step further and go with centaur 11 speed then put the money towards some bora one and may be second hand vision metron 5D bar.

nice wheels + basic drive train is more my thing.

[iheartbianchi]

I've never used reparto corso calipers (my infinito cv came with athena calipers) but if you look around at the cheaper bianchi reviews that come with them specced (via nirone, intenso, impulso, etc) they usually have a go at them for being crap, on par with spesh axis and common tektros.

At least they are dual pivots. You could probably just do a quick fix and throw Koolstop Salmons/Swissstop BXP and they would brake relatively well.

I tried a set of reparto corso calipers on an older Intenso and they were indeed garbage. Fine for descending at speeds below 50kmh though but beyond that the mushy feeling really starts to get on your nerves.