1997 Marin Hawk Hill restomod - not one for the purists!

[hawkhill97]

Having filed down the outer plate of the adapter to fit around the drop outs, getting the rear brake working was very straightforward (just like on a regular IS mount frame).

The braking is very good, no play or movement discernable, bolts stay tight so I'm optimistic this will be a good long term bodge.

I'm not bracing the seat stay, but it's a pretty rigid rear triangle (I wouldn't want to try this on my '93 Kona at all, that's got a lovely damped feel to the rear over rough stuff).

I'm using a Hutchinson Toro tyre, which I've found breaks traction pretty easily on the trails (in fact, even on the road), which should help limit the strain on the seat stay compared to a super tacky knobby tyre.

 

[hawkhill97]

Found some stick on house guides that I'd forgotten about in the garage, so using these for the rear brake - couldn't be arsed with drilling out the cable stops!

 

[hawkhill97]

Pootling up and down the road it all feels pretty good.

I'll have to take it out on a proper trail ride before passing judgement on the bar height - I don't think I'd want it any lower, but then again a bit of weight on the front tends not to be a bad thing for sloppy muddy winter riding, and it's not like I'm likely to be taking it down any DH runs.

The reach is short enough that I don't think I'd want to run bars with a lot of sweep either, but then again that'll need a trail ride to confirm.

Quite excited to get it properly muddy!

 

[hawkhill97]

Hmmmm... A thought...

What are people's experience with full length mudguards ridden in anger off road? Is it possible to set them up so they keep you dry when riding through your typical trail puddles at speed? Can't really see how they would, but if this is possible that could be worth looking into.

I've only ever run the little front guards, which do a good job of keeping spray out of your face and of the stanchions, but are hopeless at keeping you dry.

 

[geddy1972]

Sorry for delay but here is my conversion fitted to my handsome dog frame.

 

[hawkhill97]

Thanks for those - looks like you did a bit more modifying than I needed to in the end.

I did have to remove the mudguard/rack mount on the dropout to get things to work so it doesn't have the additional fixing screw, which is a shame, but now it's all together I'm pretty confident in it.

 

[hawkhill97]

Just got back from a very wet and muddy one!

 

[hawkhill97]

Really pleased with how it's turned out.

The mudguards especially impressed me with how much drier they kept me, and the mechanical disc brakes were also much better than I'd feared, allowing one finger braking with no problems.

Riding familiar trails with an unfamiliarly rigid fork was a bit of an eye opener, came in a bit too hot on a couple of sections

Another highlight was getting back and just giving the chain a quick rinse/oil/dry and sticking the whole disgustingly muddy lot in the shed.

I reckon it'll get a fair bit of use in this incarnation, so that's a result, project successful!

 

[hawkhill97]

Just popped on some better brakes and a SRAM 3x9 drivetrain (thumbies are cool, but trigger shifters are nice to use on the trails), and raised the bars a smidge.

It rides really nicely, dead pleased with it.

 

[hawkhill97]

Cold out today, but at least the worst of the mud is frozen!

Been really enjoying this bike. I was in two minds about doing such a drastic overhaul for fear of losing some of its retro charm. But it's still managed to keep a retro 90s MTB in riding character while being capable enough that it's limitations don't frustrate.