Dawes Ranger - Respray & new build - FINISHED AT LAST

[cycletothesea]

Had my Dawes Ranger resprayed with new decals in a nice shade of flam blue by Rourke Cycles. They did a cracking job, really pleased with it. Just a bit bling but not too over the top. Really looking forward to putting some kit on it now.

Will be a relatively slow build, finding the right parts as I need them.

Does anybody have much info on how this particular bike might have been equipped originally? I don't really know much about them. I only bought the frame set as I saw some builds on here from other members and really loved that retro 'long' wheelbase look.

 

[xerxes]

Re:

Really nice.

It depends whether you want to be original, or practical. I'm guessing it's late 80s, so originally may have had a screw on 6 or 7 speed block and friction shifters, rather than a freehub and cassette and indexed gears.

If it were mine, I'd be tempted to fit 90s components, a 7 or 8 speed cassette, maybe even a 9, but still use thumbshifters. I'd also be temped to use V-brakes, I really like them, so much less faff to set up than cantilevers. Just as long as the components, seatpost, stem and handlebars are silver, which I reckon would look a lot better than black with that lovely blue paint.

 

[cycletothesea]

Re: Re:

Really nice.
If it were mine, I'd be tempted to fit 90s components, a 7 or 8 speed cassette, maybe even a 9, but still use thumbshifters. I'd also be temped to use V-brakes, I really like them, so much less faff to set up than cantilevers. Just as long as the components, seatpost, stem and handlebars are silver, which I reckon would look a lot better than black with that lovely blue paint.

Spooky – that's pretty much what I'm thinking myself. I want to actually ride it and get some use, so I want the components to be more a little more late 90s. Thinking of buying some Nitto Bullmoose bars and using a 7-8 speed groupset, already got a nice set of thumbshifters.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[madjh]

Re: Dawes Ranger - Respray & new build

Very nice paint job

This bicycle has a very long wheel base, so I will go retro, no doubt. This is not a fast bicycle, the stering will be vague and it is not a very handy bicycle, so you will not need powerfull brakes. A eraly cantilevers will work fine or even a roller cam if you whant to do something different.

I will be close to the original except in the gears levers, I will go for a 8 speed XT mid 90´s, they work very vell:

 

[cycletothesea]

Re: Dawes Ranger - Respray & new build

Thanks madjh - yes, a very long wheelbase - just love the way they looked, but probably handle like a wild pig.
Thanks for the catalogue pictures too, very useful, not seen those before.

 

[hamster]

Re: Dawes Ranger - Respray & new build

Try wide profile cantis they work better and are easier to set up than later low-profile ones. They also can take bolt-on pads rather than the awful finicky post-mount ones.

 

[legrandefromage]

Re: Dawes Ranger - Respray & new build

Not a Ranger but here's my Cougar with full MT-60 Deore.

The geometry was all wrong leading to the front end lifting up when attempting to put any power down.

It looked great but the ride meant it was for on the flat only - I was very disappointed!

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=271133&start=10

 

[xerxes]

Re:

I guess if we all wanted the best performing and handling bikes, and the hype and the marketing were to be believed, we'd all be rushing out to buy this years latest models.

At least the name "Ranger" is fairly sensible, unlike some of the Dawes MTBs, ChilliWhak? And how about Rough Trade?: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1991 ... Swyelcw2p9, I thought that was something that went on in public lavatories.

 

[cycletothesea]

Re: Dawes Ranger - Respray & new build

Not a Ranger but here's my Cougar with full MT-60 Deore.

The geometry was all wrong leading to the front end lifting up when attempting to put any power down.
It looked great but the ride meant it was for on the flat only - I was very disappointed!

Those Shimano Biopace cranks never really caught on did they.

This Ranger won't be punching up any climbs either, just a Sunday cruiser to the Cream Tea shop I think.

 

[xerxes]

Re:

Forget, XC, Enduro, Downhill and Gravel, Cream tea cruising is where it's at.

The question is, does the cream or the jam go uppermost?