Phoenix Project mkII - Part II - The Drivetrain

Previously on The Phoenix Project:

Part I - The Frame

I hadn't expected to write the second installment of the Phoenix Project mkII so soon after obtaining the frameset. In fact, I had been considering this to be a long-term project to add things to as my budget permitted. So much for that.

Like many other things, building a bike from the frame-up is essentially a blank canvas. Sure, I've got to keep in mind compatibility of components and such, but pretty much the sky's the limit. Right? So I considered all the possibilities, the drivetrain component choices, the stem/bar set up, brakes, wheelsets, tires, etc. Like the original Phoenix Project, I especially gravitated to his use of older NOS Shimano components. At the time of Otaku's writing, the Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 groupo was just about fifteen years old, give or take. Old enough to not be bleeding edge, but not so old that finding new old stock was impossible. In fact, finding them available for purchase -aka not "used"- was one of his requirements, but one that I will not be imposing upon myself. The trouble with undertaking this project eleven years after he did, is that roughly fifteen-year-old components no longer have that slight vintage feel that the turn of the century (this century, silly) ones did. But still, I was falling in love with the Dura-Ace 7700/7800 pieces he was afixing to his bike, especially the stunning SL-7700 downtube shifters. A fancy set of brifters are temping for this retromod, but one look at those downtube shifters and I am resigned to giving up STI handles.

I set up a craigslist alert to catch the aforementioned shifters, and although I've not yet seen a local set for sale, the alert catches something else: a "new-in-box never-installed" set of the 7700 model of Dura-Ace crankset, both derailleurs, and a Ultegra bottom bracket to match. I'm floored, because while I had some hope I could piece together a matching low mileage set, I never dreamed I'd get a nearly complete set absolutely brand new.

Dura-Ace has been Shimano's flagship line since 1973. And in 1999 Lance Armstrong rode the 7700 to his and Shimano's first Tour de France victory (insert asterisk here.) While it was tempting to fit a modern eleven or twelve speed on it, those lack that certain soigné characteristic I was looking for. For this, I'd much rather have a nine speed work of art, than a soulless twelve. Sufficient to say, I'm stocked to find this set in this condition, and I think it's going to be (and look) absolutely brilliant on the mkII.

Gizmo Lust: Dura-Ace. What else needs to be said. ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

Street Cred: Shimano's first tour win was with the 7700. Good enough for my fat ass. ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

Tweed Factor: Too racy for the Riv heads, but points for being of the general vintage. ⊛

Phony Accent: Negative ten, if it were on the scale. These weren't the copies, they were the originals.

Crimethink: You either build a proper (carbon or aluminum) road bike, or you build a vintage bike. Nah, I think I'll do something else. ⊛⊛⊛

Lily Gilding: Considering what a brand new set of 105s cost, I think I might have overpaid. But considering the plastic aesthetic of a brand new groupset, going a few years old just looks better. ⊛⊛⊛⊛

Running Build Spec Sheet:

Running Tally of Costs:

Seller asked for $475, but accepted my $425. I don't think I stole them from him, but I'm not unhappy with the price. Still need to find my downtube shifters though…

Stay tuned…