Bontrager privateer 1996

[Stinus]

Been looking for a new project, and this one came up in Germany for the right price:



The seller claimes it’s a 1996, but there is no canti hanger, might be a later but will have to investigate. It’s built up whit a mix of xt and lx parts pretty close to the original spec but with avid v-brakes. I’m in doubt if the forks are original, will try to measure the rake to check.

The plan is to build a bike to ride on gravel paths with a child seat so it’s not gonna be 100% period correct, but will keep it close.

Better pictures will follow soon

 

[Stinus]

Some slightly better photos:

 

[Stinus]

The forks seams fine, but I'm really wondering if thy are original, to me thy look a bit short. I'm trying to find information on the original bontrager unicrown forks, did thy have 1.25" rake (like his rock shox) and length for suspension correction or were thy just standard off the shelve tange forks?
I looks here on rerobike and in the old catalogues and on the old webpage (go check it out: Bontrager.com ano 1997) but no luck, if any one have info on the i would be amazing.


Here is one to compare:

The crown seams to look different and the brake studs are not the same - but I’m not sure if it means thy are a bad fit.

The bar, stem and seat post are the first parts I will have find a replacement for, I have some old bontrager parts from a privateer I’m building for the wife (yes i know ) - thy will do, for now but I will have to find something more relaxed down the road. Maybe i will try see if some one will swap a salsa to one with some more angle, else it has to be a riser bar