Comments on: Everything comes to he who waits

By: cstandley

cstandley — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 21:38:47 +0000

I didn’t weigh the frame when I got it, but the bike is fantastic and very responsive. My build is more
classical than weight conscious.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:10:56 +0000

I’m interested in the Neo Primato from reading your blog. I saw the weight advertised on a distributors site and was surprised at the 1600g weight. That would make it a lot lighter than a typical club racer. I have a steel Marinoni Piuma made of Columbus Spirit tubing that has a claimed weight of 1625g. Now don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not a weight weenie, but I won’t bock at a light steel frame either. Do you find the bike surprisingly light or is it the weight of an old SL/SLX frame?

By: cstandley

cstandley — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:22:46 +0000

Hey, I’m glad you like the blog!
I like the Alpina. I wanted my Neo Primato to be a retro fast bike and the Alpina works well for that as it looks right and the 48-34 rings with a 12-25 Dura Ace cassette give me close ratios with enough low end for the hills. I probably wouldn’t choose it for a light tourer. I’d want something with smaller rings and a cassette with a 32 or 34 tooth biggest cog. But if you’re a strong rider I can see the Alpina working with a MTB cassette say 12-32 or 12-34 as you’d have a low gear of 27″.

By: william

william — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 03:29:16 +0000

hey stan — I love your blog.

quick question: how do you like the alpina crankset so far? what cassette are you using? I am interested in the alpina for my light touring build, but I am unsure of what cassette gearing to go with. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

By: cstandley

cstandley — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:45:33 +0000

Thanks, I agree that MA is not great for riding in the Winter. I don’t mind a bit of snow, but the single digit F temps and all the salt on the roads are the big problems. I’m setting the De Rosa up with an “Eddy Fit” rather than the “French Fit” of my Rivendells and I’ll use it for fast weekend rides.

By: Sean O'Bryan

Sean O'Bryan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:26:44 +0000

Woops. I just read your previous post about the build specs (shifters and tape). That De Rosa is going to be a fantastic ride. I enjoy all the performance differences and ride qualities of the 3 main bikes I ride: LHT (grocery hauling, commuting, rough stuff), Rambouillet (all around, fast brevet riding, commuting, long rides carrying some gear), and the Tommasini (shorter, race-style riding, speed, minimalist outings). Love the account of your Woods Hole trip too (just read it!). Makes me yearn to be back in Mass (not during the winter though!).

Cheers,
Sean O’Bryan
(Masshole ’til death)
Austin, TX

By: cstandley

cstandley — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:18:48 +0000

Thanks for the compliments. I’m going to disappoint you on the shifters as I’m installing Shimano barends, but the tape will be Fizik white so at least we agree on the colour.

By: Sean O'Bryan

Sean O'Bryan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:44:11 +0000

Beautiful frameset, Stan. I have a very similar stable to your’s – Rambouillet, Surly LHT, and some nice Italian steel (Tommasini Sintesi). I hope you go for some nice downtube shifters on that De Rosa (as opposed to bar ends or brifters) and some white Cinelli cork. Love the tour diaries by the way. Makes me want to get out there and tour once my kids are a little older.

Regards,
Sean O’Bryan
Austin, TX