gtturbo
Senior Retro Guru
I don't really know why but ever since I picked up a copy of MBA in 1989 I always quite fancied a Mongoose. I guess as the kid with a Raleigh Grifter they were this cool US BMX brand and the main man Johnny T was riding for them and who didn't want to be like Tomac !. Over the years I've seen a few lower end models come up but they never really did it enough for me to press the button. Then this popped up on marketplace yesterday so a trip over to Croydon and I finally got my Iboc.
Spec wise it's fairly original comparing to the 90 brochure. Tyres should be Mongoose black wall but I actually like the look of the Specialized tan walls so those can stay. Both derailleurs are upgraded to XT over the DX that should be fitted. Saddle was no doubt long gone and had been replaced with some Madison gel job. I had this spare one kicking about so until I find a Turbo that will do for the moment. Rims should be RM17 but the rear has been replaced with a 231CD and the front RM17 is so concaved it can't be more than a fag paper thick so going to need to swap that out. I've got lots of spare wheels so will probably go 231 silvers on DX hubs as a compromise. Finally it had no grips fitted so it has some Wilko specials for the time being. Think it's only fitting that I dig out some Tomac Attacks really.
I took it out for a little 12 mile loop tonight after work and it's not bad. A stiff link in the chain needs sorting and the rear brake cables a bit stiff, especially as I was trying not to use the front brake much due to that rim, so I need to sort those. One thing I had forgotten is how rubbish toe clips are. I think some SPD's are going to be in order or just use them as flats without the clips.
Spec wise it's fairly original comparing to the 90 brochure. Tyres should be Mongoose black wall but I actually like the look of the Specialized tan walls so those can stay. Both derailleurs are upgraded to XT over the DX that should be fitted. Saddle was no doubt long gone and had been replaced with some Madison gel job. I had this spare one kicking about so until I find a Turbo that will do for the moment. Rims should be RM17 but the rear has been replaced with a 231CD and the front RM17 is so concaved it can't be more than a fag paper thick so going to need to swap that out. I've got lots of spare wheels so will probably go 231 silvers on DX hubs as a compromise. Finally it had no grips fitted so it has some Wilko specials for the time being. Think it's only fitting that I dig out some Tomac Attacks really.
I took it out for a little 12 mile loop tonight after work and it's not bad. A stiff link in the chain needs sorting and the rear brake cables a bit stiff, especially as I was trying not to use the front brake much due to that rim, so I need to sort those. One thing I had forgotten is how rubbish toe clips are. I think some SPD's are going to be in order or just use them as flats without the clips.