Velobuild VB-R-218

[JonMS]

Still waiting on a couple things but I put some spare components on to go for a ride. This thing is great!

[madmax]

Still waiting on a couple things but I put some spare components on to go for a ride. This thing is great!

Beautiful bike

[Sebastian]

The compression plug looks a little small in length, in my opinion  & from checking the Madone I will probably need atleast 2 more spacers

At this point it might be cheaper for me to go to my local shop & buy the actual Pinarello top cap + spacers + headset plug for $35 & be done with it

I always try to use an expander plug that protrudes the full length of the stem and preferably down til the upper headset bearing. That’s why on this bike I used the longer Deda expander that’s available. But with the height of the top caps on today‘s modern fully integrated frames and with the amount of spacers that most people run this becomes more or less impossible. The plug that VB deliver is OKish. There’s worse designs out there. But I prefer longer ones for peace of mind. The long Deda one is 7cm I think. There’s areas on the bike better suited to saving weight.

[madmax]

I always try to use an expander plug that protrudes the full length of the stem and preferably down til the upper headset bearing. That’s why on this bike I used the longer Deda expander that’s available. But with the height of the top caps on today‘s modern fully integrated frames and with the amount of spacers that most people run this becomes more or less impossible. The plug that VB deliver is OKish. There’s worse designs out there. But I prefer longer ones for peace of mind. The long Deda one is 7cm I think. There’s areas on the bike better suited to saving weight.

Post a link to the dead plug or let me know if this one will fit

https://www.incycle.com/products/most-stem-1k-aero-top-cap-cmpplug

I don’t know when Chris will ship out the missing part and extra spacers
If the above fits I might as well use a higher quality part and solve the missing cap issue in one go

[Sebastian]

Post a link to the dead plug or let me know if this one will fit

https://www.incycle.com/products/most-stem-1k-aero-top-cap-cmpplug

I don’t know when Chris will ship out the missing part and extra spacers
If the above fits I might as well use a higher quality part and solve the missing cap issue in one go

This is the one I’m talking about: https://dedaelementi.com/expander-70
You can of course use any other top cap with it.
The original Pinarello expander is fine as well, obviously. It seems to be around 40mm long which is pretty standard. Like I said before, I prefer longer expanders.

[madmax]

Thanks. Looks like the link is for eu and I was unable to find the same part here that would ship in time
Will check Amazon and I think they have the 70mm with a red top

Did you wind up cutting your steerer tube to size after doing a test fit ?

[JonMS]

Thanks. Looks like the link is for eu and I was unable to find the same part here that would ship in time
Will check Amazon and I think they have the 70mm with a red top

Did you wind up cutting your steerer tube to size after doing a test fit ?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384953767375

California based seller.

[JonMS]

Some general notes.

Better sized grub screws are stem and seat post.

Seat post: 2x M6x12mm 1.0mm thread pitch
            - result is a nice flush fit
Stem: 2x M6x12mm 1.0mm thread pitch
            -semi recessed, much better than stock


Check your local Home Depot for availability:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/M6-1-0-x-12-mm-Alloy-Socket-Set-Screws-2-Pack-813898/204274349

[madmax]

Some general notes.

Better sized grub screws are stem and seat post.

Seat post: 2x M6x12mm 1.0mm thread pitch
            - result is a nice flush fit
Stem: 2x M6x12mm 1.0mm thread pitch
            -semi recessed, much better than stock


Check your local Home Depot for availability:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/M6-1-0-x-12-mm-Alloy-Socket-Set-Screws-2-Pack-813898/204274349

Lifesaver...... thanks...... since I dropped one screw somewhere in the garage 

I found top cap & plug for $10 more in Escondidio & headed out to pick that up in 30 min.

[Sebastian]

Some general notes.

Better sized grub screws are stem and seat post.

Seat post: 2x M6x12mm 1.0mm thread pitch
            - result is a nice flush fit
Stem: 2x M6x12mm 1.0mm thread pitch
            -semi recessed, much better than stock


Check your local Home Depot for availability:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/M6-1-0-x-12-mm-Alloy-Socket-Set-Screws-2-Pack-813898/204274349

Thanks! That's really helpful. Personally, the seatpost screws being recessed doesn't really bother me that much. I'm covering it up with tape anyway. But the stem bolts just don't look right sticking out like that.

[JonMS]

Thanks! That's really helpful. Personally, the seatpost screws being recessed doesn't really bother me that much. I'm covering it up with tape anyway. But the stem bolts just don't look right sticking out like that.

See I installed it the other way round. Longer hardware in the seat post and shorter in the stem. It also material. I don't know what the stock hardware is made out of but the Home Depot stuff tells you right there.

Here is a bit more information from Pinarello. https://pinarello.com/storage/download/7aa0c78fe7bd3423eab73c73b65f818b.pdf

These are the torque specs. (not saying they should be exactly the same since its the F12 but I ballparked most around these values.

[Sebastian]

See I installed it the other way round. Longer hardware in the seat post and shorter in the stem. It also material. I don't know what the stock hardware is made out of but the Home Depot stuff tells you right there.

Here is a bit more information from Pinarello. https://pinarello.com/storage/download/7aa0c78fe7bd3423eab73c73b65f818b.pdf

These are the torque specs. (not saying they should be exactly the same since its the F12 but I ballparked most around these values.

Thanks again. Some good info, there.
Interesting: The rear brake housing for rim brakes is supposed to be routed through the hole on the right hand side of the steerer. I did route it like that but thought I've done it wrong after assembling the bike. Because traditionally with external routing, the rear brake would be routed around the steerer on the opposite side. AND: If I turn the bars all the way to the left, I cannot pull the rear brake. I'm not sure why. The cable seems to be compressed in a way that completely stops the cable from moving. It doesn't bother me. I would never have the bars in that position on the road anyway and braking is perfectly smooth otherwise. Still, instinctively I would route the cable on the other side.

[madmax]

Picked up top cap & plug @Bike Bling in Escondido, who are an exclusive Pinarello & Orbea bike shop

They were amused when I walked in with the fork & handlebar, but were super helpful & make sure the parts fit etc & pointed out where the carbon weave direction differed
against the existing Dogma F & gave me a bunch of helpful info, since this is my first build


Image attached for existing compression plugs vs the pinarello one.
The newer one is slightly longer & the top & plug screws are different.

[madmax]

I'm missing one or two end pieces on the frame where the cable would exit for the brake or shifter
I think these are hard plastic or rubber.

Anyone know what they are called & where I can get spares ?

Rest of the frame looks fine & I just did a quick wipe down after unwrap with a cloth
BB threads seem to be fine with no indication of any heavy paint on them

Another small screw fell out of the frame (small silver grub), so I guess they did include 4 long & 4 short screws per my request

Bottom bracket bolt insert in frame seems a bit high, but I may not need to file that down as per @Sebastian, the Campy crank spindle @25mm can fit with no issues with rubbing
So i'll do a test fit with the BB cups later & check & see if everything looks ok & hopefully everything will fit.

[coffeebreak]

I'm missing one or two end pieces on the frame where the cable would exit for the brake or shifter
I think these are hard plastic or rubber.

Anyone know what they are called & where I can get spares ?

Cable stoppers? Cable guides? Mind you though, for rear derailleur and brake they are of different sizes and shapes. It would be helpful if you can post picture of the frame where it's supposed to come out from.