I picked up this frameset in the Summer of 2001. It was handbuilt by Mike Appel of Wisconsin. I believe Mr. Appel first made his name making lugged bikes for the Trek Corporation at the Waterloo facilities back when Trek still sold US made lugged steel bicycles. Mr. Appel is still considered a master at what he does.
Currently, I haven't assembled enough parts to make this a complete bicycle yet. Ideally, I'd like to send the bike in to be refinished as it has seen quite a bit of wear since it was built back in the 80s (best guess based on style and choice of tubing).
The one picture I do have of it does it no justice. It was taken by its previous owner. In person, it definitely shows its high quality with its custom sculpted lugs and fine finishing.
Tentative Component List:
| headset | Shimano XT 1" threaded |
| stem | Nitto Pearl 11 (wedge style) |
| handlebars | Deda 215, silver |
| tape | Profile (smurf blue for the time being) |
| hadlebar plugs | Velox, black rubber |
| bottle cage | Cuissi Elite, Stainless, (x2) |
| brake levers | Shimano BLR-600 |
| brake calipers | Suntour Superbe non-recessed |
| seatpost | Specialized by Nitto |
| saddle | Selle Italia Flite Gel |
| bottom bracket | Suntour |
| crankset | Mavic 631 |
| pedals | Shimano 105 Platform |
| shifters | Simplex Retrofriction (ala Greg Lemond) |
| front derailleur | Campagnolo Super Record |
| rear derailleur | Suntour XC Pro medium cage |
| cassette | HG90 12-25 8 Speed (considered Ultegra grade) |
| hubs | Shimano 105r |
| skewers | Shimano |
| spokes | DT Champion 14g |
| nipples | DT brass nipples | rims | Sun CR18 32 hole |