Bontrager Race Lite 1997

[bonty98]

Hi all!

I´ve been real busy this weekend, unfortunately not with the bike

I´ve got a few pics to share of the ongoing project though.

I got the bike back from my LBS yesterday and it looked like this.

I put on some wheels and a bar, just to see how it would look.
I think it looks pretty ok

Have a nice week
Jan

 

[bonty98]

OK, middle of the week picture update!

First from the states there is a crank that seems to have little love on this forum :?
I myself think this is the shit :twisted:
They have been fitted on a bb and pedals have also been fitted, but no chain so they are totally mint
XT M739

My sister-in-law gracefully gave me this XT rear mech, VGC,
XT M739 Thanx a lot

Here the rear mech is fitted

The bike so far

Happy Easter!
Jan

 

[BG]

Looks fantastic... and great detailed thread.

I'd be removing that Rock Shox sticker off the down tube though.

 

[kaos]

Nice one, but please get rid of that stem!

 

[bonty98]

Thanx everybody for kind words
I´m really stoked about this bike and this weekend I´ll try to put more stuff on.
@BG, I don´t know yet, I think it looks kinda cool.
@kaos, I´m a bontyman through and through, but something else is on the way so lets see

 

[bonty98]

OK folks, time for some serious elbow grease
This evening I put on some more stuff to make it more bike looking.

First out is a pic of the FSA bottom bracket. 226 g of cromo loveliness...

Here´s the XT crank assembled. Talk about good looking :twisted:
Remember this crank came stock on this bike.

Now a shot from behind. I´ve decided in using my trusty Bontrager crowbar race for now. A little on the heavy side, but the rise is really nice.
If anybody has the crowbar ti version for sale, then pm me...

Happy Easter holidays
Jan

 

[bonty98]

Now it´s time for some more pictures of the progress.
I wish it was finished already!!
Anyhow, here´s a pic with mech´s and brakelevers and shifters on.
The front mech will change as there is another one on the way

BTW, a picture of the brake levers are in order!

And from the states a parcel arrived today with some nice frontend kit :twisted:
It´s a first gen race lite rim coupled to a second or third gen front hub laced with double butted Wheelsmith spokes. I´ll weigh it as I do the rest of the stuff, but it feels plenty light.
I also got an almost brand new replacement race lite rim, free of charge :shock:
God bless you Daniel

On this picture you can see the butting of the spokes. Really cool stuff!

Have a nice evening folks
Jan

 

[bonty98]

Hi there folks!

Hope ascension day has been good.

For me it turned out to be a pretty good day to work with the bikes

I was originally planning on using the avid arch supreme on this bike, but it won´t work on the Marz... That´s a shame, but!

I happen to have a great replacement, and it´s Avid single digit 20.
These brakes have really great stopping power and I think they fit the bike a bit better now that they´re on the bike
It looks frugal, just as it should.

The original owner only had the rear brake bolts, he never had the brake studs and I´ll have to go with that. I hope these will work without studs :?

Also a new seatpost has found it´s way on the bike.
That´ll be for next time

See Ya!
Jan

 

[CruzCtrl]

Beautiful Bike! Is it finished yet? The XT cranks are great I have had zero problems after 13yrs on my 1997 Race. Enjoy!

 

[Sithlord]

Seriously nice looking bike there fella.. grand job