Last night was quite possibly the best Cinco de Mayo evening ever. It all started out with leaving work a half hour early to stop by the bike shop to pick up my brand new Molteni Orange single speed frame with newly mounted headset and stem (Thanks Palms Cycle!). I got the frame and right off, was near tears it was so beautiful. Just a mass of orange paint and chrome, hells yes. On the drive home (roughly 45 mins) I kept stealing glances of it in the back seat…still gorgeous. I got home, Kesha had some festive fish tacos for us for dinner (Thanks Hun!), I ate those, did the dishes and stole away to the garage. This picture sums up the awesomeness of the evening.
Brand new white powdercoat crankset, 15mm wrench, Park Tool grease and a glass of white wine. Boom!
What unfolded was the single greatest time I have ever spent putting something together. It was a magical experience piecing together my new (still unnamed) bike, tightening bolts, wrapping handlebars, aligning everything to a T. There was a special bond created between me and the bike, something that I am sure will last forever. Wine, Grant Lee Phillips on the speakers, tools in hand, bike coming in to being…can you imagine anything more serene or touching? I surely cannot. Here is the proof:
This is the frame with just the stem, headset and bottom bracket installed. Breathtaking!
A shot of the beautiful fork crown on this baby
The installed Miche bottom bracket. Made in Italy!
Mid assembly
You will notice that I have cleverly omitted a shot of the final assembly. For that, you will have to wait. I don’t want to unveil her until I have had time to take some proper photos.
I find that a Merlot goes better with Park Tool Grease.