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I have Si crankset with 50/36T Praxis ring pair

Yes, I am inclining that way

So I certainly don't need another bike, but I bought this SABA off @crillz because I always fancied one after seeing rows of their frames hanging up in Whiskers in Willesden Lane.

Question is, how shall I build it? I'm entertaining three options:

1 Single fixed. Quick and easy. Most parts to hand.
2 Classic Italian. Parts box yields next to no Campag parts except for half of a Record chainset.
3 Stealthy Shimano. All 10S parts to hand; can even build with flat bars.

Answers on a postcard, as ever...

Yup thanks @crillz , delighted with the frame! And thanks to @NorthLondonLight for collecting and delivering it over to Kilburn.

So I'm in for it and will PM you

If the frame is old, just ding the chainstay. Or get someone else to do it if you're squeamish! Not on a new frame however.

Spacer behind the RH end of the cassette (cup if old-school) and bb shell

@NorthLondonLight is over your way and may be able to give me his opinion. (I see he has already clocked it.)

Damn. I might have to buy it off you now.

There are some surprisingly close correspondences between the geometry of this 1953 frame and that of the 3T Strada, which was hailed by its designer as completely innovative!

@SideshowBob's request, vanity pictures of the curvy-tube Taylor.

The bike went on to the register sometime in the 90s and can be seen here in my original build. I did change the brakes to some modern Tektro sidepulls that worked a lot better. The bike is on semi-permanent loan now to a pal in Southport.

AS I recall the thrust of the argument was that on a long descent — such as this chap had undertaken in the Alps on the tandem — you can boil the fluid in a hydraulic disc system, causing complete brake failure. Is this worse than exploding the tyre on a rim-braked wheel because the rims are grossly overheated? Answers on a postcard, as ever...

What a coincidence — I got chatting to a chap riding a Thorn tandem with his daughter in the West End on Saturday morning and he told me exactly this. They were pretty brisk!

I would also like to hear the answer to this.

Oldest bike used regularly was this 1953 Jack Taylor 'curvy-tube'. (This is what Jack himself called it when I rang the Taylor Bros published phone number and himself answered.) I commuted from Kilburn to Borough on it for years. It is very far from being original, as all can see. Pity about the original fork — the steerer had ovalized and wasn't happy in a new headset. I kept the fork and could have a new steerer brazed in I suppose. At least the bike has 27" wheels. It rides very nicely but the braking is rather lethargic for London traffic-jamming.

Is it still available by the way?

Ha yes, I eyed up those Saba frames in Whiskers shop in Kilburn with great envy! You had to be among the Chosen to buy the best pieces — they were not offered to the great unwashed. One old-timer related that he had gone there with a bundle of cash to buy the latest Campag groupset, only to be told he didn't qualify to buy "because he wasn't good enough".

Damn, me too, I just got one from Curry's PCWorld at full price, £30! They are $15 on run-out in the US grrr

If you're breaking it right down, I'd like the OPI ring pair. (Bit cheeky I know...)

Ah, they are still going, excellent! They re-coned one of my Jamo speakers at least 15 years ago. It has been perfect ever since, and used a lot.

Currys/PC World still have stock of Chromecast Audio...but going fast

What diameter is the band for the Campagnolo Chorus 9V front mech please?

Surplus to requirements, cassette bottom bracket with 102 mm ISO axle (for Campag Record and Chorus), Italian thread, complete with Campag end-bolts. Threads all good, very light, and runs perfectly smooth. Must be worth £15 to someone?

Very useful advice! Thank you for sharing.

Agree, I have Michelin Cross Climates and they grip very well indeed