Ten years later, the second frame I ever built is still going strong.  I gave it to my wife when we first started dating, and she named it “Trusty Rusty” for its ketchup-red color.  Since then she has put countless miles on ol’ Rusty.  As an inveterate bike bodger, over time I swapped out the original build of silver SRAM Rival 10-speed for a Campagnolo Centaur compact group set.  I also added a Modolo Q-Race stem and a matching seat post, both featuring some cool “speed holes.”

After a few years of that, I pounced on a gently used SRAM Red eTap 11-speed group set that came up for sale.  Ironically, it came out around the time I first built this bike. This was the first electronic shifting group either myself or my wife had used, and we were both skeptical.  After a couple of long rides, however, my wife reported back that it was the best-performing group she’d ever ridden.  Check out the rest of the build details and more photos after the jump.

In order to support the 11-speed HG freehub needed to support the SRAM cassette, I switched out the Ambrosio / Campagnolo wheelset for a light weight Oval Concepts alloy set.  The brakes are Shimano Dura Ace 7700.  They have incredible stopping power and modulation, as well as surprising clearance.  I mounted Vittoria 700 x 30c tires, which barely clear.  Later, I tried to swap the brakes for SRAM Red wi-Fli models (because I’m OCD about matching parts), and they wouldn’t clear the tires.  …Back to the Dura Ace!

Here’s a gallery with a couple close-ups of the components.