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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
My new Dragonfly Custom new
#9543 - 02/21/08 08:20 PM (72.67.228.181)

My 2007 Calfee Dragonfly Custom is the result of over a year and a half of planning, and construction. The bike weighs in at 13.73 lbs, due in part to extra stiff frame tubing, an extended head tube and seat tube. The bike is an excellent climber and very fast. The bike was built for long distance ridding, as I am planning a trip across the USA in 2009. Ride quality is very smooth due in part to the Zipp wheels and Veloflex Tubulars.

Frame and Fork; Dragon Custom, (2.5 lbs Nude) Alpha Q GS 10
Paint: Custom by Cycle Art
Head Set; Chris King Silver
Bar; Bontrager XXX Lite VR
Stem; KCNC SC Wing
Bottle Cages; 2007 Elite Patao
Pedals; K?O Carbon Ti
Wheels; Hand Built Zipp 2008 202 w/CXRAY, Tune Mag 160, Mig 45, Ti Skewers
Tires; Veloflex Roubaix Tubular
Seat Post; USE
Saddle; Fizik Arione K: 1
Brakes; Zero Gravity OG-07 Ti w/Zipp Pads
Cables; Nokon w/ Power Cordz
Grupo; Campagnolo Record-10 w/ mcm Selle An-Atomica? 11-30 Ti Cassette
Crank; 2008 FSA K-Force Lite Compact
Derailleur Clamp; Parlee Carbon




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Umlungu
contributor
*****

Reged: 03/04/05
Posts: 189
Loc: Plano, TX
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9544 - 02/21/08 10:47 PM (64.101.130.196)

That's a pretty sweet ride, you should be very proud!

One question, how do you like the powercordz with the nokon setup? I have a nokon setup on my luna and wonder how that works with the liner.

Again, niiiiiiice ride.


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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Umlungu]
#9545 - 02/22/08 02:27 AM (72.67.228.181)

Quote:

Umlungu wrote:
That's a pretty sweet ride, you should be very proud!

One question, how do you like the powercordz with the nokon setup? I have a nokon setup on my luna and wonder how that works with the liner.

Again, niiiiiiice ride.




Thank you for your comments.

The PowerCordz work great and were easy to install and best of all they don't stretch.


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Umlungu
contributor
*****

Reged: 03/04/05
Posts: 189
Loc: Plano, TX
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9546 - 02/22/08 02:52 AM (71.244.1.190)

Cool. Did they fit in the standard nokon teflon inner liner?

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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Umlungu]
#9547 - 02/22/08 05:08 PM (72.67.228.181)

Quote:

Umlungu wrote:
Cool. Did they fit in the standard nokon teflon inner liner?




Since I assembled the bike myself I wanted to make sure I got things right the first time. I used the Nokon compatible liners, Derailleur Kit and the Road Brake Set & Clasp-Campagnolo/SRAM/0G. I called IoDupt, told them what I wanted to do and they told me what parts to buy.


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davidlemon
friend


Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 38
Loc: sacramento, ca
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9556 - 02/24/08 02:17 AM (71.197.107.254)

Quote:

dbarnet1 wrote:

Derailleur Clamp; Parlee Carbon






very nice build. can you provide more info on the parlee clamp? where to find? are you running a campy record der.? i'd love to be able to swap out my heavy record, silver clamp for a carbon one. thanks.


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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: davidlemon]
#9557 - 02/24/08 08:15 PM (72.67.228.181)

Quote:

davidlemon wrote:
Quote:

dbarnet1 wrote:

Derailleur Clamp; Parlee Carbon






very nice build. can you provide more info on the parlee clamp? where to find? are you running a campy record der.? i'd love to be able to swap out my heavy record, silver clamp for a carbon one. thanks.




Yes, I am using the 2008 record braze on derailleur.

The Parlee Derailleur Clamp is designed to be used with a braze-on front derailleur. Parlee makes three sizes of this clamp; 34.9mm (1.374 in), 31.8mm (1.25 in) and 28.6mm (1.125 in). I measured my Dragonfly frame at the derailleur location and it measured 1.321 in. I ordered the 34.9mm clamp and made a shim the same size as the clamp height out of.020 aluminum I purchased at the local hobby shop. I cut the shim about .375 in. shorter than the inside circumference of the parlee clamp, and formed it abound a 1 inch broom handle. I put a dab of Tax Carbon Assembly lube on all mating surfaces and then attached the shim and clamp. It worked great. Prior to purchasing the Parlee Clamp I would measure the diameter of your tube and go from there. There are two (2) places that I know of that sells this clamp. universalcycles.com and fairwheelbikes.com.

Dave


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Darby
sage
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Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9558 - 02/24/08 08:29 PM (66.27.148.144)

dbarnet1,

Great looking bike!

I am interested in your opinion on the FSA crank and 11-30 cassette. How are the jumps between gears on the cassette? I will probably put a compact cassette on my next bike so I am interested in how easy it is to live with such a large jump between gears.

I have been looking at the FSA crank possibly on my next bike. The FSA crank can accept a wide array of chain rings. For example, you could put either a 50/34 or a 53/39 on the same crank using chain rings from TA Specialities. Campagnolo does not allow this on their cranks. They have an offset bolt pattern that will not accept other chain rings.

Bruce


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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Darby]
#9559 - 02/25/08 02:26 AM (72.67.228.181)

Quote:

Darby wrote:
dbarnet1,

Great looking bike!

I am interested in your opinion on the FSA crank and 11-30 cassette. How are the jumps between gears on the cassette? I will probably put a compact cassette on my next bike so I am interested in how easy it is to live with such a large jump between gears.

I have been looking at the FSA crank possibly on my next bike. The FSA crank can accept a wide array of chain rings. For example, you could put either a 50/34 or a 53/39 on the same crank using chain rings from TA Specialities. Campagnolo does not allow this on their cranks. They have an offset bolt pattern that will not accept other chain rings.

Bruce




Bruce,

Thanks for your interest in my new ride. I actually built the 11-30 for use in the mountains where I will encounter long grades that at times that rise from 10 to 15%. for many miles at a time. The cluster consists of 11, 12, 13,14,17,19,21,24,27 and 30 cogs. The largest jump between gears is 21.4% between the 14 and 17 cog. Because I don?t shift much when making a long climb, it works very well. Right now I am using an 11-25 setup. The nice thing about the MCM cogs is that you can mix and match at will since there are no paired sprockets.

I was an early adopter when it came to the FSA K-force light crank. The part is very strong and stiff. At 190lbs I?m a Clydesdale, although I am loosing weight on a regular basis. When used with the Calfee frame there is absolutely no flex. As you stated there is a lot of flexibility using the TA Specialties chainrings. Tom Milton who makes the MCM cogs used a 52-33 in last years Paris Brest Paris ridding a Calfee Bamboo Bike.

The only thing I don?t like about FSA is there marketing department. This Crankset was advertised in the European magazines as weighing 620 grams. It was 630 grams in the US. My 172.5 Crankset weighs 678 grams. I talked to FSA at Interbike and they changed the weight on there website to 660 grams.

Dave


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Darby
sage
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Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9560 - 02/25/08 03:09 AM (66.27.148.144)

Quote:

dbarnet1 wrote:

The nice thing about the MCM cogs is that you can mix and match at will since there are no paired sprockets.

Dave




Thanks Dave,

I may have to buy one of Tom's cassettes when mine wears out. I have one of Tom's saddles and he has helped me with gearing issues before. How does Titanium hold up compared to steel? It certainly weighs less.

Bruce


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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Darby]
#9563 - 02/25/08 06:28 PM (72.67.228.181)

Quote:

Darby wrote:
Quote:

dbarnet1 wrote:

The nice thing about the MCM cogs is that you can mix and match at will since there are no paired sprockets.

Dave




Thanks Dave,

I may have to buy one of Tom's cassettes when mine wears out. I have one of Tom's saddles and he has helped me with gearing issues before. How does Titanium hold up compared to steel? It certainly weighs less.

Bruce




Bruce,

I realty don?t know how long a titanium cassette will last compared to steel. I do know that the chain has a lot to due with cassette wear. I once read that the Discovery Channel team mechanic changes the chain after each race and the cassettes ?last for years?. Some guys I know use three chains and rotate them about every 750 miles. I think the biggest benefit about Tom?s cassettes is that you can change cogs when one wears out, which is much cheaper than replacing the entire cassette. titanium is about 50% lighter than steel

How you do like Tom?s saddle and which one are you using?

Dave


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dfcas
contributor


Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 143
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9564 - 02/25/08 06:36 PM (71.182.37.13)

Who is Tom?

--------------------
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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dfcas]
#9565 - 02/25/08 07:49 PM (72.67.228.181)

Quote:

dfcas wrote:
Who is Tom?




Tom Milton owns mcm Selle An-Atomica who is the manufacture of the Ti cassettes.

Dave


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Darby
sage
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Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dfcas]
#9566 - 02/25/08 07:54 PM (66.27.148.144)

Quote:

dfcas wrote:
Who is Tom?




Tom Milton is a small saddle maker that was recommended to me by Calfee. All of Calfee's fit bikes come with his Selle An-Atomica saddle.

Tom's saddles are similiar in design to a Brooks saddle except that they use water proof leather, have more adjustment capabilities and do not require special tools like a Brook saddle. However, the biggest difference is that they have softer leather and a slit running down the middle of the saddle which makes them, in my opinion, more comfortable than a Brooks saddle.

web page

Bruce


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Darby
sage
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Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9567 - 02/25/08 08:03 PM (66.27.148.144)

Quote:

dbarnet1 wrote:

How you do like Tom?s saddle and which one are you using?

Dave




I have a Titanico Watershed Leather saddle. I like it a lot. I can ride it all day without any discomfort. I went through several saddles until I bought one of Tom's saddles.

I have had dinner with Tom Milton a few times and ridden with him as well. He has a lot of bike knowledge.

As for as chain life, I have a chain checker which works great. My bike shop recommended the Wipperman Chain checker because it is fool proof and more accurate they tell me than the Park version.

I have included a link.

Bruce

web page


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dbarnet1
friend


Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 34
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Darby]
#9569 - 02/25/08 08:39 PM (72.67.228.181)

Quote:

Darby wrote:
Quote:

dbarnet1 wrote:

How you do like Tom?s saddle and which one are you using?

Dave




I have a Titanico Watershed Leather saddle. I like it a lot. I can ride it all day without any discomfort. I went through several saddles until I bought one of Tom's saddles.

I have had dinner with Tom Milton a few times and ridden with him as well. He has a lot of bike knowledge.

As for as chain life, I have a chain checker which works great. My bike shop recommended the Wipperman Chain checker because it is fool proof and more accurate they tell me than the Park version.

I have included a link.

Bruce

web page



Bruce,

Thanks for the tip! I?m sure that I will buy one of Tom?s saddles in the near future.

Dave


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Umlungu
contributor
*****

Reged: 03/04/05
Posts: 189
Loc: Plano, TX
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Darby]
#9570 - 02/25/08 09:09 PM (64.101.130.196)

ooooo The cutout on that saddle looks like it would pinnnnch! I guess it doesn't but it sure looks like it would.

Also, I think you can order the Parlee FD mount directly from Parlee too.


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Darby
sage
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Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Umlungu]
#9571 - 02/25/08 09:23 PM (66.27.148.144)

Quote:

Umlungu wrote:
ooooo The cutout on that saddle looks like it would pinnnnch! I guess it doesn't but it sure looks like it would.

Also, I think you can order the Parlee FD mount directly from Parlee too.




Actually, it doesn't pinch at all. The leather is soft and it is easy to adjust the tension with a hex head wrench.

Bruce


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cccyclist
journeyman


Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 91
Loc: Central California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Darby]
#9575 - 02/26/08 03:53 AM (71.102.243.49)

Can anyone give me a website for Tom Milton cassettes?

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Darby
sage
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Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom [Re: cccyclist]
#9576 - 02/26/08 04:05 AM (66.27.148.144)

Quote:

cccyclist wrote:
Can anyone give me a website for Tom Milton cassettes?




Sure, here it is.

Bruce web page


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cccyclist
journeyman


Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 91
Loc: Central California
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: Darby]
#9577 - 02/27/08 04:20 PM (12.198.24.82)

Thanks.

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davidlemon
friend


Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 38
Loc: sacramento, ca
Re: My new Dragonfly Custom new [Re: dbarnet1]
#9670 - 04/26/08 07:44 PM (71.197.68.85)

dbarnet1, when you were considering your build options, did you look at the sram red crankset? or, generally speaking, how did you come to choose the fsa? i'm interested in your research process, as i'm torn between the red and k-force. thanks in advance for your input.

david


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