My 2006 Ridley Damocles - Tuning Started

[Damo_Rider]

Well, everyone here is my 2006 Ridley Damocles. I am in the process of upgrading some of the components but it will take a hell of a long time. So her it is for now and I will post as items change. I am currently looking to replace the crank with a Storck Powerarms SL, THM Clavicula, or the new AX Lightness in March.

[Ypsylon]

You've got a really nice bike there to boot with, so I wouldn't rush with replacing parts either. While the yellow cranks looks surprisingly good, the offerings you mention would all go really well with it as well, IME.

[dunlinii]

Hell, I like the yellow cranks.

[pritchet74]

Awesome bike. The cranks gotta go though.

How do you like the Lightweights? I am one of the few people who think they are hugely over-rated.

[Fibre-Lyte]

That makes two of us regarding the Lightweights. They're a nice enough wheel, but the price, and finish on older models, leave a lot to be desired.

I like the bike as a whole, but the yellow cranks...... I don't think I've seen yellow cranks before, other than Power cranks (I think?). As for the three you mention, I still think the Clavicula is still very hard to beat

[Damo_Rider]

Here is some build information on the bike:



Chain Campagnolo Record 255
Crank FSA F Force, 170, 39/53 800
Bottom Bracket Mega Exo (weight in crank) 0
Brakes TRP 950 SL 270
Seatpost Campagnolo Record Carbon, 27.2, 220mm 192
Handlebars VCRC Team, 42 cm, 31.8 282
Stem VCRC Pro, 120mm 138
Frame 2006 Ridley Damocles 1230
Fork Ridley's 4ZA Damocles monocoque fork 395 (could be more??)
Headset FSA Integrated 80
FD 2006 Campagnolo Record Carbon, 35mm clamp 71
RD 2006 Campagnolo Record Carbon 184
Cassette Campagnolo Record , 12-25 192
Shifters 2006 Campagnolo Record 324
Wheels CarbonSports, Lighweight Gen 3 16/20 1080
Tires Continental Lightweight, 22mm (glue&extenders) 545
Skewers Mavic (standard) 108
Saddle Fizik Arione Carbon 179
Cables Nokon
Seatpost Clamp Ridley supplied 35
Cages Stella Azzurra H2O (x2) 40
Brake Pad Holder TRP w/Lightweight Pads (4) 75
Tape Fizik Microtex 63
Misc Bolts Cage, bar plugs, etc 75
Spacers 25 mm, Carbon 10
Stem Cap FSA Adeadset Compressor Plug 34

Sub Total 15.1370

I don't have a digital scale to verify the weights and I think the actual bike is closer to 15.3-15.4 lbs. I hope one day AX or THM make a tapered fork like Easton did this year. As per the Lightweights, I like them a lot and in fact use them as my everyday wheels. I haven't had any issues with them and couldn't see shelling out the kind of dough that I did to only use them every once in a while. If I was going to do it again, I would probably get some Mavic CCU's and use the extra cash to replace the stem, bars and crank...the Lightweights are stiff and extremely durable

[Damo_Rider]

As per the cranks- I had my old K Force custom painted when I owned a set of Mavic Carbones w/yellow decals

[Damo_Rider]

I have torn down the Damo and am tuning the whole bike. I will post progress pictures. This is what I have planned:
1. Sand the entire frame and leave nude with some simple graphics done by David at Southwest Frame Works in Dallas
2. Replace the fork with a 3T Rigida LTD when they are available (some time in early 2011) or just go with Edge tapered already available (298 g VS 350 g) - current fork is 396 g verified on my scale
3. Tune the RD - carbon pulleys and inner plate from Roth Shek, replace bolts with aluminum, and drill some holes....
4. New FD from B-T-P, 35g (won't be ready until May at the earliest)
5. New integrated stem/handlebars or Schmolke OS TLO w/Extralite stem
6. I can't afford any new cranks because of other items so I will sand and leave raw/nude
7. New full carbon saddle 69 g (traded someone my Arione Carbon straight up)

My one concern is brakes - I can't afford the brakes I want right now but the white TRP won't work with the new matte/raw set-up, so anyone want to do a straight trade for some black brakes???

[dunlinii]

Sounds good, as always pics will be much appreciated

[Damo_Rider]

Well here is the first update on the tuning process.

1. Quick things to remember I am not mechanically inclined so this is basically rocket science to me
2. Remember a dremel is still a drill so safety is important or you will learn the hard way like I did and drill your thumb
3. I just started this project yesterday because we have bad weather here in Dallas - this is about 3-4 hours of work (I have two kids and a wife that won't let me work for more than 30 minute at a time)

Tuned Record Rear Derailleur
Steps
1. Cover metal pieces you wish to drill in 2 plies of electrical tape which will help prevent the drill bit from slipping; I learned the hard way- one sometimes doesn't work
2. Mark the tape where you wish to drill or else you will get holes all over the place; this is more of an appearance thing
3. I used an 1/8" titanium nitrade coated bit which worked well
4. Start slow and increase the speed to get through the metal
5. Remember to "peck" the drill up and down a couple of times to clean-up the holes.

I still have one large hole on the arm left to drill and I am thinking of painting the metal black - any opinions? If so what kind of prep would I need on the metal and paint? Can I use paint for model airplanes?

[Damo_Rider]

2nd Update

This is the other item I have been working on which is much harder than I expected. I have started to sand the entire frame. I have spent about 3-4 hours so far and this is as far as I have gotten. I have been using 120 grit sand paper and found out that no water works faster. You just have to be careful to stop when you start seeing black dust (which is the carbon) and use a wet/damp cloth to wipe the part every so often to check progress. I figure at this rate it will take all of February to complete.

[dunlinii]

The progress with the sanding is good! It does take forever to do it properly though, patience is best (also something I don't have...) Also, the holes look great.

[j0m]

When I sanded my frame I used water all the time. I started out using something like 200 grit and switched paper very often. Between 200 and 600 I think the biggest difference was to be found in how "fresh" the paper was. Looks like you've only done the easy parts yet. Have fun with the rest.