Knightrider
Orange 🍊 Fan
Thought it was about time I started a build thread having asked loads of questions already!
This is my 1998 Orange O2, with a polished alu frame (believe this was a limited edition, doesn't appear in the catalogue). I have owned it from new, having saved up during my first year at University to buy it. It got a lot of use riding with the Uni mountain bike club and afterwards, but has been fairly neglected for the past few years due to kids and work. Recently, I have gotten back into cycling, mainly using my Specialized Tricross on road. I was out for a ride with the kids recently and decided that given the forks were locked and the bottom bracket was creaking, I would try and get it back on the road. Then I found Retrobike and became a bit obsessed....
The bike is mainly as purchased at the moment - Orange stem and supercross bars, friction addiction grips, LX 8sp shifters, XT rear mech, Mavic X221 rims, LX M565 rear hub, Shimano DH pedals, Avid SD1.9L levers and brakes. The front mech and chainset have been replaced with Deore, and the original RST forks replaced with 2008 Marzocchi MX Pro Lo. Currently, the forks are locked (my LBS tells me they are irreparable), the hubs are in a sorry state and the BB creaks...
The frame is great - really light and no major dents etc., just cosmetically poor.
My plans are:
1. Strip the frame, polish, new decals. It appears to have some pretty grotty lacquer on it, so this will need to strip. Advice on this would be appreciated - how best to strip, and should I relaquer afterwards or just polish?
2. New (retro) forks - I have a pair of Pace RC36 Pro Class II on their way
3. Probably replace the wheels
4. Replace the drivetrain. I would like to go 1x - currently torn between completely new Deore M4 1x10, or a "home-brew" 1x8 using a mix of old parts (RD, shifters) and a wide range cassette with NW chainring...
This is my 1998 Orange O2, with a polished alu frame (believe this was a limited edition, doesn't appear in the catalogue). I have owned it from new, having saved up during my first year at University to buy it. It got a lot of use riding with the Uni mountain bike club and afterwards, but has been fairly neglected for the past few years due to kids and work. Recently, I have gotten back into cycling, mainly using my Specialized Tricross on road. I was out for a ride with the kids recently and decided that given the forks were locked and the bottom bracket was creaking, I would try and get it back on the road. Then I found Retrobike and became a bit obsessed....
The bike is mainly as purchased at the moment - Orange stem and supercross bars, friction addiction grips, LX 8sp shifters, XT rear mech, Mavic X221 rims, LX M565 rear hub, Shimano DH pedals, Avid SD1.9L levers and brakes. The front mech and chainset have been replaced with Deore, and the original RST forks replaced with 2008 Marzocchi MX Pro Lo. Currently, the forks are locked (my LBS tells me they are irreparable), the hubs are in a sorry state and the BB creaks...
The frame is great - really light and no major dents etc., just cosmetically poor.
My plans are:
1. Strip the frame, polish, new decals. It appears to have some pretty grotty lacquer on it, so this will need to strip. Advice on this would be appreciated - how best to strip, and should I relaquer afterwards or just polish?
2. New (retro) forks - I have a pair of Pace RC36 Pro Class II on their way
3. Probably replace the wheels
4. Replace the drivetrain. I would like to go 1x - currently torn between completely new Deore M4 1x10, or a "home-brew" 1x8 using a mix of old parts (RD, shifters) and a wide range cassette with NW chainring...
New KMC chain is on it's way.
