To build up your Silvio, here are some decisions you need to make:

The chain ring- what's best for you: a compact double vs. a full-size double vs. a triple? If you are more of a spinner than a masher (fast cadence rather than slow) we suggest a compact double.  If you like high-end speed and a slower cadence, or don't often ride on steep hills, go with the standard double.  If you want the whole wide range, and don't mind futzing with a triple shifter, FD, and 3 chain rings, go with the triple... but keep in mind that not every manufacturer or groupset has the triple option. 

Crank length: we usually suggest 170mm.  If you are really tall or short, we may want to consider something else. 165 mm cranks can be hard to find these days.

Once you make those decision, you need to pick a brand.  Do you have a preference for SRAM vs Shimano vs Campy?  Personally I think the SRAM line has great looks and function for the money.  Campy stuff is beautiful, but its sometimes hard to find a shop to work on it.  Shimano is the industry standard, so you can't go wrong there. Also, keep in mind that SRAM and Shimano cassettes will both fit on a Shimano-compatible hub on your drive wheel, but Campagnolo cassettes only fit on Campy-compatible hubs.

Once you pick the maker, you need to pick the groupset.  The more you spend, the lighter it will be, in general.  You and only you can decide if shaving a few grams off the bike is worth the extra $$.

Regarding wheels - how much do you weigh?  If you are under 200 lbs., perhaps some fast light wheels by Xero, Fulcrum or Easton.   If you are heavier, you may want wheels with a higher spoke count.  If you ride on trails and rough roads, you may need some fatter tires, like 700c x 28. 

Need pedals? if so what kind?

If you can answer these questions and give a general price range, we can make you up a specific package to create your perfect Silvio.

Key Fitment to the Silvio Frameset

The Silvio Frameset includes the frame with integrated seat as well as the fork and front triangle. The only parts not supplied ars those which are already mass produced for the road bike market.

The Silvio Frameset has:

1) 26.0mm handlebar clamp, which also accepts a 25.4mm diameter bar.

2) mounting for a braze on style Front Derailleur

3) English threaded 68mm Bottom Bracket

Check that the set of road bike components you wish to use is compatible, or choose our handpicked high quality component set

Check out an ideal set of components at a really great price. Only available to Silvio buyers. Or keep reading on notes for selecting your own favourite components.

Selection of road bike levers

Hand Ergonomics

Road bike levers are designed to mount on the curve of a road bike handlebar. When used on the Silvio, the upper hand position is redundant, only the lower hand position is available, which relates to riding 'on the drops'. The brake and gear change functions must both be workable from the lower hand position.

Shimano Sora (ST-3300A) and A050 (ST-2200) do not allow gear up changes on the drops, do not select these gear shifter.

Shimano Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, Tiagra, ST-R500, ST-R600, ST-R700 all have double levers and can be fully operated on the drops.

Campagnolo use a thumb button for downshifts which is located close to the handlebar and reachable for most people when on the drops.

SRAM, choose from RED, FORCE, RIVAL. All are fully functional on the drops using the double tap change technique.    

Knee Ergonomics

All Shimano lever sets route the brake cable along the bar, but the gear cable projects from the changer body. This means that with Shimano extra care needs to be taken to position the handlebar and levers so that the gear cables do not interfere with the knee.

Campagnolo and Sram route both cables along the handlebar, which makes fitment a little easier.

Bar End shifters

These are a favourite of many recumbent riders who use high end running gear. They are light and shift well. They work best when the hand is not having to grip the bar firmly, so are found on time trial bikes, but not road bikes. Silvio requires a firm grip on the bars when climbing, rather than the light grip you may need to work a bar end shifter. Additionally, with road style drop bars, the ends of the bars are facing the abdomen, which is not a recommended location and orientation for the spear end of a bar end shifter for obvious reasons.

Selection of handlebar

A 'short and shallow' design is preferable. This means the drop is not great (shallow) and the length of the drop past the last curve of the handlebar is not long (short).

If compared to Europeans you are a shorter than average, or taller than average, or if your leg below the knee is proportionally longer (sometimes the case with people of Asian ethnicity) then you should look for a handlebar with a normal drop, not a shallow drop.

Riders with short arms who set the handlebars close may find the standard rear brake cable short by up to 5", a tandem inner cable is the solution.

A common handlebar width is 44cm. 46cm width is suggested as giving better room around the knee and slightly more leverage which together is helpful in tight maneuvering.

Riders are experiencing very good results with the WTB Mountain Road Drop Bar, or the Origin8 Gary Cyclocross Touring Handlebar.

Gearing

Silvio works fine with standard road bike gearing, that is, the same gearing you would specify if you were riding a road bike. Standard road bike gearing will provide the close ratio set of sprockets of a 10 speed cluster. A tall gear of a 53t chainring on a 11t rear sprocket on a 700x23 tire ridden at a cadence of 100 will generate 37 mph, or 60 kph.

If you want extra hill climbing, the Silvio now allows use of a road triple front crank set.

A rear cassette with a 13t smallest sprocket may interfere with the fork leg. A 12t or 11t smallest sprocket is suggested.

Selection of Bottom Bracket and Crank

Silvio accepts all BB systems for English thread 68mm Bottom Brackets, including Shimano two piece crank systems and outboard bearing systems.

Selection of Tires

Silvio tire size is limited by the brake caliper clearance of the road bike brake. Tire size is 700c up to 700x28c.

Sizing of Chain

The crank to wheel is 440mm on the Silvio, whereas roadbikes are typically 405. This means that the chain may be 2*35mm or 70mm short. This is about 6 links. Chains are usually sized so the fully retracted derailleur holds them firm when on the smallest chainring and smallest sprocket, and so is affected by the size of the smallest ring and sprocket as well as the length of the rear derailleur cage. All this means is that there is a very good chance you will have enough chain.

Component Shopping List

The following is a shopping list with an example component specification.

Suggested Accessories

Hydration

Bottle Cages

On the seat back is a pair of holes each side for bottle cages. Another cage may be attached to the front boom using cable ties. When you buy cages, ensure they hold the bottle firmly, as they will be mounted facing down rather than vertically or facing upwards.

Bladders

Consider Fastback accessories from Terracycle.

Carrying Items

A bag of the type that sits behind the seat post and under the saddle of a road bike can work under the front boom. It is possible to mount a bracket for holding a pump under the seat pan.

Rear Carry Rack

The Old Man Mountain Sherpa front rack has been identified as a good candidate for the rear of the bike. The clamps are not required as Silvio has nutsets appropriately placed on the upper seat stays. Do not place more tha 5kg on the rack as it is attached to the seat stays and side to side forces can damage the suspension structure. For the same reason, avoid placing loadings (luggage) on one side, single pannier for example. Try to locate luggate above the wheel where it is in the body's wind shadow anyway.