Vendetta arrived work in progress

[DuncanWatson]

My Vendetta arrived this afternoon. As it was fully disassembled I am in the middle of a bike build. After a trip to the LBS to buy a few tools I am at this point in the build:
Vendetta Build in progress by Duncan Watson, on Flickr

The front wheel setup confused me for a bit but once I sussed out the derailleur hanger and how it all went together I felt good. Working working working. And then to follow the Rat Cruzbike how-to ride script (tm) to learn to ride.

I haven't attached the front derailleur yet, that will be next and then to figure out the cabling. I will redo the bar tape with yellow once I get it all adjusted.

 

[BentAero]

Congrats Duncan, you're gonna have a great time.

Fwiw, yellow bar tape won't stay yellow very long...

 

[ratz]

Looks great; at your height that stem riser might not last long on that setup once you are settled in.

 

[DuncanWatson]

Indeed, once I get the headrest and seat on I can do a loose fit check. I am taking my time and going slowly through the build. I should be at the coastable stage this evening.

 

[super slim]

Duncan, you are not following Ratz's instructions fully, as there is NO rubber mallet on the floor, in the photo!!!

Once you start riding the Vendetta, you will say, "Why didn't I do this years ago, ESPECIALLY after the first hill Climb!!!!"

 

[DuncanWatson]

I have spent some time now and know how to attach the front derailleur, route the cable for the front derailleur and how to route the cable for the rear derailleur. I know how the seat attaches and the bottle cages. I can do the brakes. I found a rubber mallet and will put it in the next picture. I should be riding tomorrow morning after I pick up some nuts. I misplaced two for the seat.

 

[super slim]

When you are a Master's Apprentice, you have to do as the Master does!!!

 

[Lief]

Duncan! I missed the news that you got a V 2.0! Congrats.
Yours is more put together than mine is right now...but that shouldn't stop us.
Looks like it's time for a Vendetta meet-up.

@Abbott Smith , once you are back from Tahoe, let's carve out some time to meet up with @DuncanWatson and do a triple Vendetta ride down the Sammamish trail, or somesuch.
Cool.

 

[Rick Youngblood]

Congrats Duncan. The process of the build is fun and a nice way to get acquainted with your new Vendetta.

Looks like it's time for a Vendetta meet-up.

I envy you guys, there a growing tribe Cruzbikers up in the north-west-coast, Washington Oregon area.

 

[DuncanWatson]

I got nervous setting up the drive train and cables. So I dropped it off at my lbs, I don't want to screw it up so soon. Unfortunately the schedule at the lbs means I will be sans vendetta until the 18th. I did get the boom and bars adjusted.

 

[Abbott Smith]

Congrats Duncan. The process of the build is fun and a nice way to get acquainted with your new Vendetta.

I envy you guys, there a growing tribe Cruzbikers up in the north-west-coast, Washington Oregon area.

I will be in Tahoe next weekend. Just saying.

 

[snilard]

Congratulations.

 

[LarryOz]

Congrats Duncan. Can't wait for you to get it up and running and for ride reports.
Post some new pics to!

 

[DuncanWatson]

My shop was a bit booked so I won't have my Vendetta back until the 18th. 9 days away.
Here is some of the early progress:
Bare frame by Duncan Watson, on Flickr
Vendetta Build in progress by Duncan Watson, on Flickr
Vendetta Build in progress by Duncan Watson, on Flickr

I didn't want to strip the housing, retrim and rewire. I didn't have any spare housing and just felt uncomfortable with it at this point. I am going to take some mechanic classes at REI because I feel like I need to know more. My goal is PBP in 2019 at 50 years old. And by Jove I will do it too.

 

[trplay]

Duncan, PBP 2019 is a noble goal and it is not too early to start planning. One of the treats of this ride is the planning and preparation it takes to get there. I'll start a PBP 2019 thread under the "community" topic of this forum for those like minded riders.

 

[DuncanWatson]

I am trying to work out on-bike gear now and will be testing it out over the next 4 years. I think I will be going with a clone of your moose pockets + bent-up aero bag (with water bottle holders), a small bag at the stem to carry snacks etc, and a norback frame bag for tools on the rear chain stays. The moose pockets would be removed for shorter faster rides. I will embrace drop bags. I already renewed my RUSA membership and will reup my SIR membership for 2016. I need to figure out how to manage the bent-up aero bag first as I want it to be my main bag and on the bike for all rides.

 

[ratz]

@BentAero pretty much solved the problem for the BrainBox and the Bent-up Aero Bag here: http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/vendetta-meet-bacchetta-brain-box.8740/

 

[DuncanWatson]

I am not sure I am able to carve out aluminum like that but I think I can make a frame out of bar stock and attach the frame to the black part of the origin8/cruzbike mount. I am considering making the aero bag an every day bag and adding other utility storage only if needed.

 

[twhbent]

Duncan, congrats and good luck with your Vendetta. Check out Mr. Winn's (Eric) custom mounting bracket he devised for attaching a Bachetta Brain Box to the head rest tubing.
I used his same design and it worked great(Thank you Eric). Do a search for CUSTOM MOUNT BRACKET FOR BACHETTA BRAIN BOX by Eric Winn. It is similar in concept to
that of BentAeros. Good Luck.

 

[Eric Winn]

Just take care to monitor it since it results in sort of a cantilevered mount. The BBB is easy to load up so monitor for flex and cracks. I never had any problems with it but I only went a short season with it switching to the windshadow/quiver clone I made to go with lighter weight/load.

-Eric