After my significantly more awesome 70's Ironman was stolen, I needed a bike and was able to snag this Vilano for cheap on CL. I miss the lugged steel, but this is relatively tolerable. Every dimension of jackassery is due to boredom and/or cheapness (got most of the parts for free/trade). I kinda like how it has turned out and I think it manages to make roadies shake their head, which plasters a dumb grin on my face.
Frame:
Vilano 4130 / 54cm
Fork/Headset:
Vilano 4130 / Neco Wafer
Crankset/Bottom Bracket:
Tec 9 165mm / Neco Carbon Light
Pedals:
...that suck with Powah Grips.
Drivetrain/Cog/Chainring/Chain:
60-18 / Excess fw & unknown cog / Vuelta / frankenchain made from two in my house.
Derailleurs/Shifters:
Absolutely not.
Saddle/Seatpost:
Ritchey / Kalloy
Brakes:
... that also suck. I need to remedy this. Adding 1.8mm Odyssey Slic Kables helped a lot.
Front Wheel/Hub/Tire:
H Plus Son SL42 Polished / Origin8 / ThickSlick 700x23
Rear Wheel/Hub/Tire:
H Plus Son SL42 Polished / Origin8 / ThickSlick 700x23
Accessories:
Sexy new Lezyne mountain cages and crappy bottles (one for water and one for Skittles®).
More Info:
Yes, the decal placement is a shameless ripoff of the ones on Leader's 735 mid. This thing is crap and will soon be regulated to beer bike status as I'm going to actually get a less-crap frame.
Bike History
Click a link below to see past stages of this bike.
Added by chaika. Last updated almost 8 years ago.
26 Comments
its pretty funny how everyone is like WTF about this gear ratio. its only 90 gear inches, which is equivalent to 50-15. its not that big of a gear people, calm down. but that 60t is fucking awesome haha.
Posted about 11 years ago
Not everyone knows how to read ratios, so it's totally fun to look super-heroic with that massive ring.
BTW: Your bikes are effing beautiful.
Posted over 10 years ago
Yea I know! People always trip out over ratios that look big but aren't. Thank you so much! I am really pleased with how everything has turned out. Just goes to show that you don't need to be rich to obtain nice bikes. Just lots of patients and knowing the right people :)
Posted over 10 years ago
that ratio must suck uphill! but you made this bike look great! i really like the break levers at the end of the pursuits i really like the look!
Posted over 11 years ago
Haha thanks! You'd be surprised about the ratio - it's not bad once you get used to it. The brake levers, yeah - I have four on there. The ones on the bar end and two more on the flats. I'd use real bar-end levers but those bars weren't drilled.
It's a nice versatile set-up for riding in traffic though. Do it!
Posted over 11 years ago
Not bad looking but have "heard "bad stuff about those frames. Prob BS. That 60t is scary looking. enjoy
Posted over 11 years ago
There is definitely a reason Vilanos have a bad rep - a lot of them suck. The frames that look like gaspipes visually look flimsy. Whatever this one is doesn't have any issues, but it's not precision engineering either.
Posted over 11 years ago
That's a nice picture of the Sandias. I was out there recently.
Posted over 11 years ago
Haha, thanks! If you find yourself visiting Albuquerque again, I'd be happy to recommend a few great places to grab a bite or a drink, ride, and kick back.
Posted over 11 years ago
I go out there every spring. My Mom lives in Rio Rancho. I can't imagine riding in that heat in the summer.
Posted over 11 years ago
holy chainring!
Posted over 11 years ago
I thought it looked crazy at first too, however it does just look "normal" to me now. Anything less than a 52t on a bike also now appears way too small.
OH GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE?
Posted over 11 years ago
No man, I'm actually on the same page! They do look small when they're less than that. A bigger chainring is next on my list for sure. I just don't think I've ever seen a 60t haha!
Posted over 11 years ago
They look insane and people will definitely ask you about it, haha. The one real advantage to the big rings is how quiet and smooth the drivetrain is as a result.
Posted over 11 years ago
Why would you need a chainring that big? I like those bars by the way.
Posted over 11 years ago
No need whatsoever, but I was able to get it for zero dollars and I like to run 85ish gear inches, so those factors made me a happy little lady. :)
Posted over 11 years ago
Well, for 0 dollars you did quite well. And I'd say stay away from the 735, it's the same quality of Visps and Unknowns, but they're way more expensive. http://www.ebay.com/itm/umezawa-NJS-Fra... that's better for your money!
Posted over 11 years ago
That is also a good idea. Part of me also wants lugs again. They're so purty. :c
Posted over 11 years ago
Photos
40degreerake says:
Dump the Skittles and replace with Starburst jelly beans.
Posted about 7 years ago