DMR Switchback Build back BIGGER and Newer NOS rebuild

[reanimation]

I think it's Trailstar 3, could be wrong. No rim brake APS business and 18" oh and longer fork geo 120-130mm
All Trailstars are weighty over 6 and half lbs Lovely though if beastly!

 

[albash82]

Nice thread. My buddy had plenty of dmrs bitd, but I wasn't cool enough.
I owned a Decade Virtue/Virsa and bloody loved it. Just never felt big enough, even in 20", as I'm 6'2".

 

[reanimation]

So Mid 2021 (time flies!) I ordered a random last in shop NOS Switchback frame....

The first Switchback wasn't meant to be for me and although fun the 16" was a short reach so when a mate found an 18" NOS frame hanging on a wall of a shop, I couldn't stop thinking about it and eventually gave them a call. They are a really nice frame design just to look at and a fairly buttery ride. Some crumbled badly, legend has it that the later ones without ISCG mounts (like this 2006 maybe??) were made stronger in the downtube, if anyone has info about this I'd like to know, I'm hoping that's true and does feel fairly stiff....

Starting with a NOS frame meant it couldn't be a beater (kind of a pity in some ways)...
Another Trigger's broom, the only thing to make it across to this build was the rear wheel and SLX cassette, the seat collar and the headset in spirit (actually came off my mk1 Trailstar)! Rockshox Reba team with 20mm axle were borrowed from its younger brother - my 20" Virtue, the 20mm stumped me for a while but I decided it had to kind of match so had a wheel built on a T2 with a Pro 2 hub I had in stock.
The colour theme carried on in black and red, many new parts, also the groupset is 10 speed and all at SLX and Zee level (with a cheeky Saint shifter) which is nice.
The whole thing might just be a bit too nice as an urban bike now as you can see from the Table Top tyres... I have some Panaracer Fire in black or black/red too.
The fit has been challenging at 186cm. its quite a short reach with a 72.5 degree seat tube, 568mm TT and tall BB. I've been using RAD fitment and after initially trying a Woodman NOS 50mm stem, then a very chunky DMR Headstock 60mm and tall Funn bars. I'm back on OS set up 70mm Thomson and a NOS Mk1 style Wingbar 38mm rise - in Silver not got a black one. it was 680mm but extended to 720!
It needs a good test on some fast and tight trails now!
Let us know what you think and if you have any nice bars or stems to suit!

 

[stevet1]

Another cracking build Mark, love those red rims - nice rims as well those T2's, got some on my 24". Bar and stem look good, have you considered a layback post to give a bit more room when seated?

 

[reanimation]

Another cracking build Mark, love those red rims - nice rims as well those T2's, got some on my 24". Bar and stem look good, have you considered a layback post to give a bit more room when seated?

Hiya Steve, Thanks! I'm happy with it, having some bits in stock helped but I think this is exactly where it needed to be spec wise, so glad I kept going with the parts and build.
T2s seem good, I've got the old Tornados, a bit heavier than an XC rim, but still very reasonable for the strength and width. I've even got a spare just incase.
Previously I'd be tempted with layback approach but I've gone the other way, 72.5 is so laid back now (not compared to DJ bikes of course! ) and with the height I've tried to keep the seat forward for these tests, though I do feel far back already. The problem comes when standing up and feeling vulnerable over the front axle - must be a fairly short reach, The 50 and 60mm stems didn't feel right with tall bars for this reason, 70mm I think is the happy medium with 720 bars, still feels short and fun but stable enough for off road - next test if i can bear to get it grubby!

 

[stevet1]

I hear you on the post. I think it's the HA that gives that over the axle feeling when compared to modern slack bikes.

 

[trailstar82]

That’s very tidy indeed, great looking bike and really tastefully done.