mechagouki
Senior Retro Guru
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Here's my recently acquired 18" 1998 Xizang, a bike I have longed to own since the early 1990s. Obviously not actually a whole bike yet, but I'm short on cash so who knows when it will be rideable.
I came into possesion of this frame after knowing of its existence for little over a year. It was owned from new by a former Shimano employee who had some plan to build it into an all weather commuter using a Rohloff rear hub. It sat half built for a long time until a friend of mine somehow convinced the original owner to trade it for a set of triple Ti eggbeater pedals! He built the bike up, rode it twice and decided the '90s geometry was not for him, I offered him $500 Canadian for it (280 pounds), a low price for the frame but based partly on what he traded for it, and partly on my assurance that I was not going to immediately throw it on eBay for a fast profit - I made it very clear that this frame was a 'lifer' as far as I was concerned.
The frame is in great shape - shelf worn but no dents or gouges and with all the original decals in good shape - I have two build planned - the one you see started here - quite traditional with parts that I already have or can obtain cheaply. Next year when my financial situation should be improved I will do a superlight build using modern parts, Fox F80, lots of carbon - and the bike will be my race bike until I cease to race!
The fork you see in it is a 1998 Judy SL in excellent condition, just 2.7 lbs and actually feels very nice with the new set of springs I just fitted.
Brakes are M952 XTR and were a bonus with the frame.
Crank is 110bcd Race Face Turbine in titanium gray ano. Will be run with a single 36T ring in a 1 x 8 configuration to save weight and simplify the drivetrain.
Headset is a nice old FSA Orbit, roller bearings top and bottom.
Stem is an early Race Face Deus, probably a couple of years late for this bike, but is very light and suits the build. (and it was cheap)
So that's all there is for now - have my eyes on a set of Mavic 517s on M952 hubs which if obtained will wear the Wildgrippers you see behind the bike. not sure about bars / seat post. Seat will of course be a Flite Ti.
I came into possesion of this frame after knowing of its existence for little over a year. It was owned from new by a former Shimano employee who had some plan to build it into an all weather commuter using a Rohloff rear hub. It sat half built for a long time until a friend of mine somehow convinced the original owner to trade it for a set of triple Ti eggbeater pedals! He built the bike up, rode it twice and decided the '90s geometry was not for him, I offered him $500 Canadian for it (280 pounds), a low price for the frame but based partly on what he traded for it, and partly on my assurance that I was not going to immediately throw it on eBay for a fast profit - I made it very clear that this frame was a 'lifer' as far as I was concerned.
The frame is in great shape - shelf worn but no dents or gouges and with all the original decals in good shape - I have two build planned - the one you see started here - quite traditional with parts that I already have or can obtain cheaply. Next year when my financial situation should be improved I will do a superlight build using modern parts, Fox F80, lots of carbon - and the bike will be my race bike until I cease to race!
The fork you see in it is a 1998 Judy SL in excellent condition, just 2.7 lbs and actually feels very nice with the new set of springs I just fitted.
Brakes are M952 XTR and were a bonus with the frame.
Crank is 110bcd Race Face Turbine in titanium gray ano. Will be run with a single 36T ring in a 1 x 8 configuration to save weight and simplify the drivetrain.
Headset is a nice old FSA Orbit, roller bearings top and bottom.
Stem is an early Race Face Deus, probably a couple of years late for this bike, but is very light and suits the build. (and it was cheap)
So that's all there is for now - have my eyes on a set of Mavic 517s on M952 hubs which if obtained will wear the Wildgrippers you see behind the bike. not sure about bars / seat post. Seat will of course be a Flite Ti.
