1992 Retrotec Dirt Craft Cycle

[rumpfy]

Here's my 92 Retrotec Dirt Craft Cycle.
Won the old fashioned way off of eBay, it was beat enough to warrant a respray (which I generally like to avoid).
Not a whole lot of these were made, but its a perfect representation of the era, where small independent builders were trying new ways to push the limits and eek any kind of performance or advantage they could from the bikes they were building. Or possibly in the case of Retrotec and Bob Seals...just having fun with what could be done with a bicycle frame.

My initial build was ok. I sold it before I put too many miles on the bike. After a few years of regret, I had the opportunity to buy it back. I decided to rebuild the bike with some minor changes and I'm pretty happy with the end result. Now I can do what I should have in the first place...ride it more.

The full photoshoot can be found here (including the magazine scans from MOMBAT):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rumpfy/se ... 116555493/

Frame: Retrotec Dirt Craft Cycle
Fork: Yeti (Campagnolo drops)
Rims: Mavic M231 CD
Hubs: Shimano XT M730/M732 32h
Quick Release: Salsa
Tires: Ritchey Z-Max 2.35
Pedals: Shimano XT M737
Crank: Shimano XT M730
Chain: Sram
Rear Cogs: Shimano XT HG90
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XTR UN90
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT M732
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M732
Shifters: Shimano XT M732
Handlebars: True Temper
Grips: Oury
Stem: Salsa Roller
Headset: Chris King no-logo
Brake set: Shimano XT M734
Brake levers: Shimano XT M733
Saddle: Selle Italia Turbo
Seat Post: American Classic
Paint: White
Size: 18.5
Serial #: none (one of aprox 50 made by Bob Seals)


As I got it:

Progress:

The day I got it back:

The current, final rebuild:

 

[futuristicoldman]

Re:

Fantastic, I love daft stuff like this. Does the wheelbase shorten when you push a tall gear?

 

[rumpfy]

Re: Re:

Fantastic, I love daft stuff like this. Does the wheelbase shorten when you push a tall gear?

Ya, I'm a sucker for it too.

It actually rides pretty much like any other hardtail. A fork is used for the rear end and held in place by the four cables. Under the bottom bracket are two skateboard truck bushings. Depending on how firm you have them tightened, you can adjust the tension.
The idea behind it, is that the further you lean into the corner, the rear wheel stays more vertical allowing for more traction.
You can lay a finger on the cables while riding and you don't feel any loss of tension, so I think you really need to be putting some anger in to it to get a noticeable reaction.
Slingshots, however, definitely have a variable wheelbase you can feel.

 

[DrJo]

props dude that is sweet
retrotec even the name is pure class

 

[al-onestare]

That's not an April fool is it?

What a bike :shock:

 

[rumpfy]

A few more detail shots:

 

[RockiMtn]

that's just so odd a looking frame - sbike meets slingshot. :?

how heavy is it the frame?

 

[rumpfy]

that's just so odd a looking frame - sbike meets slingshot. :?

how heavy is it the frame?

Its definitely wild. I opted for the simple color and build to let the frame do the yelling.

Its not the lightest thing out there, but its not a total dog either. I'll have to officially weigh it to see where it falls. Big 2.35 tires, heavy True Temper bars, it has some things working against it.

 

[stefan9113]

Re:

a dream

 

[eastcoaststeve]

Re:

Flat out love that bike.

Final build is fantastic, and the Yeti fork looks great on there.

Don't let it go again brother.



Steve