When you require streetcar desire for higher heights

New Deda bar tape and San Marco Rolls (thanks Pony Bikes!) on the F. Moser. Polish by Yogi. The rear end chrome is flawless... bindingly reflective! Don't give me grief about the platforms, I've heard it all before. Just about to slap on the Brisbane Outdoor Gear StrapOns.  Almost there, just need to put a bit of Back To Black on the hoods.

Don't you know it is wrong to cheat the trying man

I've posted this Ciocc of Garret Chow before, that red and white scheme is the exact same as my Conti. Where his ride is a Ciocc Enemy, mine is a Conti Astore. Oh, how I long to get the Contessa back on the road. Spotted on MASH and Pedal Consumption!

Put your left leg down, your right leg up, tilt your head back, let's finish the cup

Researching the Contessa and came across this sweet pic of Garret Chow's Ciocc Enemy... Rad.

When you touch me, I hear the sound of mandolins

Just to keep me inspired.

Okay, I went to the market to realise my soul

And while we're cruising around VeloSpace, how's about this? That mysterious Conti gets all built up and looking a bit more complete! Looks much better, but is it too much to ask for a drive side photo?

Click clock, find your own way to stay

I've just been paying my respects at the houses of the holy: fyxomatosis has posted these portraits and details of the second most gorgeous frame ever welded BRAISED together (sorry, but my heart belongs to another). This Euro Sport has exactly the same crimped tubeset as my beloved Conti, and I've only ever come across another marque that utilised this technique, a Titan. Immaculate build, Andy, and stupendous photography, once again! CANNOT WAIT to get the Contessa back on the road!

In the caves, all cats are grey

One of my favourite reads, Italian Cycling Journal, has just created a new blog dedicated to all things Cinelli: Cinelli Only. If you have a single Cinelli stem on your whip, or a Cinelli MASH or Vigorelli, you should get on the Cinelli Only program and absorb the history that stands behind that famous name.

Reached for my pen and pad because my mind was on a rhyme scheme

Got a nice little package in the mail today from Pony Bikes. These are destined for the Contessa, The Italian Job.

Suddenly, every part of me needs to know every part of you

Found some rare photos of a Ciocc with the same peculiar crimping as my Conti. The Contessa has internal cable routing and no number holder. Has the same braze-on Italian flag on the top tube and her seat stays disappear into the seat lug. If that's a Columbus sticker then I'm positive the Dedaiccai sticker on mine is not authentic.

Have some courtesy, have some sympathy, have some taste

Seriously tasty Columbus Max Roberts frame for sale at Fyxomatosis... BTW, got my Fyxo chainring in the mail last week... Awesome! The Contessa approaches completion! Thanks Andy!

Le rouge, le bleu

Aw, cute! Found some old pics in the archives of The Contessa, resplendent with her Croce D'Aune Deltas and levers, and Lady Cop – fresh as!

Walking side by side with death

Amazing paint resto on this Ciocc which has the same braze-on Italian flag as my Conti. Great work by Keith Anderson Cycles. Have a gander at his Flickr HERE! Via Milano Fixed...

Whoops

I just lost it... THANKS TC!!!

This long distance has me outta my mind

Cycling Weapon of Mass Destruction's picked himself up a bargain basement CIOCC!

When the world above needs your blood

Fyxomatosis's build's continue to make me feel really good about bicycles in general. Quite a lucky man to be able to work on such gems. Like this Merckx, for example. purposefully left incomplete so you can imagine what finishing touches you'd like to see on there yourself! Handy! While you're checking out the rest of the top photography of the Merckx, have a look at the Fyx Gallery of Past Builds... My favourite's the Bianchi.

Looking for a ride to your secret location

There's something about that logo that makes my heart rate increase... Thanks Milano Fixed, you made my day!

Backward sucking

Goodnight baby.

And I's feeling nearly as faded as my jeans

See what us Sydneysiders have to put up with? Piero's bicycle counter at Deus, with pretty much everything you need to build up your dream pushie (fixed AND geared)! And what's this? Only a BNIB set of Campy Xenon calipers and levers, complete with original WHITE housing and cables...

Will the grey composite complement the Conti or not? Decisions, decisions...

Check out the full Day @ Deus set on my flickr...

With a word she can get what she came for

Happiness is a used Selle Italia Novus Ferrari saddle from Hungary atop a Campagnolo aero post astride a Conti Astore.

Number one with a bullet, baby

Okay, so I'm building up the Conti as a single speed, ENO rear hub, Phil Wood BB and everything else Campy. Rosso corsa Deep Vs, and a Selle Italia Novus Ferrari saddle. So all red and polished chrome. Now what to do about the upholstery: I'm thinking 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California, straight outta Ferris. I'd like to run aero Campy levers with white hoods which'd go nicely with the honey Brooks tape... But my previous experience with the honey is that it tends to fade over time and turn very blonde. Thanks Fyxomatosis! Comments welcome!