The bank account is empty but my heart is full of fluttering now that I have received the final product back from the bike shop (they did the ‘fine tuning’ in the end). Here you are, piece by piece.

Starting at the top, I have stuck with my trusty Selle Italia SLR saddle, transplanted from the Bianchi. My tender bits seem to like this saddle and, at 125 grams, it’s about as light as you can get. Below it is my nod to the old country (okay, ‘continent’) and a Ritchey WCS Flexilogic seat post. My last post was a Ritchey, but really, I bought it because it was on sale.

Moving back to Italy, the stem is a 3T Arx LTD. I don’t know much about stems, but I sure do see a lot of 3Ts out there. And it’s Italian…

Like I think I told you already, the groupset I chose for the bike is mostly 2015 Campagnolo Chorus. All the components are from this set except the chain and cassette, which are Record. Bling points.

After much humming and more hawing, I was introduced by Chikashi to the wheels I bought – Edco Prosport Maloja 32 mm. I bought carbon fibre in the end, even though I initially wrote it off as ‘extravagant’. I was swayed for many reasons, but a few that pop to mind right now are:

• Edco has a nice ‘crash program’ for when I smash them to bits on a French roundabout.
• I’ve never had carbon wheels and I needed to know what all the fuss was about.
• I’m hoping for some of that famous ‘aero advantage’ on the flats.

These wheels are manufactured in Switzerland and strung together in Holland from what I can gather.

And, as you know all too well by now, the foundation of this lovely build is the handsomest bike frame out there – the Colnago C59.

Now I have to get some pedals on this beauty and take it out while it’s still sunny. Ride report coming soon.