Bontrager Racelite rebuild advice

[jacksloan]

I’ve owned this gorgeous bike for a long time, and have considered selling it several times. However, I can never bring myself to do so - lots of memories and such a great frame.

So I’m considering rebuilding it. Want to keep the (excellent) forks but swap out the groupset and finishing kit.

What would you go for? I think it’s a 1993ish frame.

I want to ride it off road rather than exhibit it, so stuff that actually works (brakes for example) is important.

Should I get it resprayed too??

 

[Stressed]

It looks good to go to me!? XT all round? SIDs. Gorgeous frame...

 

[jacksloan]

It looks good to go to me!? XT all round? SIDs. Gorgeous frame...

Hmmm. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Perhaps swapping out the finishing kit to Bontrager/syncros will do it.

 

[tangent]

Here’s how I’ve built my late 90s Racelight, for general use and xc riding.

Drivetrain is middleburn + 8spd XTR
Brakes XTR V-brakes
Obviously not period correct, but works nicely for my riding needs.
Since took that image, have removed barends & changed to a 90mm stem.
Handling retuned to that lively Bontrager style I remember from the 1990s, when my main bike was a Bonty OR

 

[Stressed]

Do whatever it takes to make you love it again I guess if you're questioning if it needs something part of you feels it does!
If it's a 93, maybe source a 93 XT groupset?
Edit: Maybe get some fresh decals for the SIDs?

 

[jacksloan]

Here’s how I’ve built my late 90s Racelight, for general use and xc riding.

Do whatever it takes to make you love it again I guess if you're questioning if it needs something part of you feels it does!
If it's a 93, maybe source a 93 XT groupset?

That’s gorgeous!

 

[Carge]

That might be a bit earlier than '93 - straight colour bars on the end of the decals are the same as my '91 Race - not sure when KB brought in the slanted ones.
XT from the earlier 90's with Cantis - has your frame got the Bonty brake bosses where the bolt goes thru the sleeve into the frame? Make sure you keep those safe if it does.

 

[benjabbi]

That's a lovely bike, specced just right for riding I think. XT just works and works well! As you say maybe some slightly blingier finishing kit if you fancy it, possibly new brake pads and cables for a bit of a refresh.

 

[slackboy]

That's a great bike. I wouldn't respray it as I think it looks nice as is - unless the paintwork is knackered.

hat are you using it for - proper riding or bimbling about?

If its proper riding then I'd either keep the M750 on there or (horrors) go for a modern 1x setup and maybe some Box 3 v brakes.

if you want to make it more period correct then thats a 93/94 frame so you'd be looking at M737/9 or M900.

Have you got a roller under the front mech ? you should have given the cable braze on position as its designed for a bottom pull mech.

To my mind the only thing letting it down is the stem - it looks like 1 1/8th stem so I'd be looking for a 1" aheadset stem - maybe a controltech or salsa - they do come up on ebay from time to time. (oh, and the mis-matched tyres )

Failing that a thomson stem in 110mm with matching seatpost would ooze quality.


PS correct rear mech cable is routed to the left and then under the wishbone, not to the right and over. (Yes, I'm a pedant)

 

[slackboy]

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