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My Karakoram Elite is the bike that got me back into biking, having not ridden one since the age of 15. It's also the bike that led me to Retrobike, so quite clearly the most expensive bike I will ever buy.
However, since the day I decided the paint was too tatty to keep (which was easier to justify as quite a few of the parts weren't original and I was building it up for more all-purpose than classic ATB) I have been on the lookout for another in the same understated alternative paint scheme - just a simple black.
Five or so years later, one came up on Ebay. In exactly the same size too - 20". It couldn't have been much worse timing for me, as I have no money, having committed to go to Sumatra next month and it was outed on here, but fortunately the collect only from Cleethorpes (convenient enough for me) probably saved me.
Whilst collecting this, I also managed to acquire a KHS Montana Comp from the same seller for Chris (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=322258)
It was most the original components and most importantly the paintwork is in reasonable condition. I was hoping to be able to throw some off-road tyres on it and use it straight away and then give it some further attention when I have some other bikes rideable, but unfortunately most the bearings could do with replacing (especially the headset) though the bottom bracket is very smooth. Also, the original bars have been cut down to a stupidly narrow size, which there's no way I could contend with off-road
Still, I'm very pleased to have got hold of one at last and I'm hopeful I should have time in the summer to replace the bars and headset and give the rest of it a good service.
However, since the day I decided the paint was too tatty to keep (which was easier to justify as quite a few of the parts weren't original and I was building it up for more all-purpose than classic ATB) I have been on the lookout for another in the same understated alternative paint scheme - just a simple black.
Five or so years later, one came up on Ebay. In exactly the same size too - 20". It couldn't have been much worse timing for me, as I have no money, having committed to go to Sumatra next month and it was outed on here, but fortunately the collect only from Cleethorpes (convenient enough for me) probably saved me.
Whilst collecting this, I also managed to acquire a KHS Montana Comp from the same seller for Chris (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=322258)
It was most the original components and most importantly the paintwork is in reasonable condition. I was hoping to be able to throw some off-road tyres on it and use it straight away and then give it some further attention when I have some other bikes rideable, but unfortunately most the bearings could do with replacing (especially the headset) though the bottom bracket is very smooth. Also, the original bars have been cut down to a stupidly narrow size, which there's no way I could contend with off-road
Still, I'm very pleased to have got hold of one at last and I'm hopeful I should have time in the summer to replace the bars and headset and give the rest of it a good service.
