Egad.. it's now retro?

[feef]

Despite really enjoying mountainbiking I've been away from cycling for a few years for various reasons, not least that Cambs has far fewer mountains than Scotland.

But due to an ever increasing waistline, I thought I'd start cycling again and get back into shape.

Pulled the trusty steed out the garage and started setting about getting it useable again. Fitted some new pedals, pumped up the tyres and it's about good to go.

Hmm.. Forks are a bit saggy. The elastomers are shot. So I start looking about for spares and whatnot.

Turns out that this is where I'm destined to be, and gawd does it make me feel old that my perfectly serviceable MTB is "retro" :|

So here I am.. I've got no intention of changing it for something newer. I built it, I like it and it does the job.

Kona Caldera frame in black (the last CroMo one that they sold as a frameset only)
RST 461 forks (with crumbly elastomers) or...
Marzocchi Z1 Bam forks (needing an oil seal replaced) or..
Project 2 forks (which will be going back on now)
Original XT V-brakes
second gen XTR brake levers.
Sachs Xtreme shifters and rear mech
Bontrager Crowbar handlebars
LX Crankset
Just fitted some new Mavic Crossride wheels, tho, but I'll probably get the existing Hope Ti Glide hubs laced up to something else in time.

And it's all still running as smoothly as the day I built it.

 

[orange71]

they don't build 'em like they used to

 

[legrandefromage]

welcome Fellow flatlander!

Check the Hopes for cracks around the flanges and you should be good to go.

Local rides are here:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=33

 

[Anthony]

The black Caldera (with red decals) was the 98. A good-quality frame, the front end of a Cinder Cone plus butted stays. I would have thought the RST461 was unworthy, even if repairable (which I doubt I'm afraid), while the Z1 although both eminently worthy and repairable, is really too long. A nice red Z2 would look smart. Wouldn't cost you much either.

Don't worry - according to some on here, a 1998 bike isn't retro, so you're not really getting old.

 

[feef]

The black Caldera (with red decals) was the 98. A good-quality frame, the front end of a Cinder Cone plus butted stays. I would have thought the RST461 was unworthy, even if repairable (which I doubt I'm afraid), while the Z1 although both eminently worthy and repairable, is really too long. A nice red Z2 would look smart. Wouldn't cost you much either.

Don't worry - according to some on here, a 1998 bike isn't retro, so you're not really getting old.

The RSTs were left over from a bitsa I threw together. The Z1s were more for the sort of riding I was doing at the time. They're only on it as, the last time it was ridden, the Z1 had blown a seal.[1]

Now that I'm in the flat-lands, the Project2s are going on, with skinny tyres, and I'll just pound the roads around here. I've got an unused XTR downhild crankset sitting spare that I might use for higher gearing, but as it's a spline fitment, I'd have to replace the BB which I can't be bothered doing right now.

a

[1]Nah.. it's just snow on my moustache

 

[feef]

welcome Fellow flatlander!

Check the Hopes for cracks around the flanges and you should be good to go.

Local rides are here:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=33

The rear hub is nearly new. Just didn't use the bike at all, really, after about 2002. (hmm coincides with getting my motorcycle licence.. coincidence?)

a

 

[Old Ned]

Don't worry, this is how I got back into biking again by finding this site and realising that the crap I had festering away in the shed was now desirably classic

Three years later I'm still here and with about 10 more bikes!

No shame in riding around on an 'old' bike. It gives you an excuse - sorry, reason - for not keeping up with the kids on their expensive full-sussers.

 

[feef]

No shame in riding around on an 'old' bike. It gives you an excuse - sorry, reason - for not keeping up with the kids on their expensive full-sussers.

yeah.. I need all the excuses^h^h^h^h^hhelp I can get. Went out for a burl last night after I'd fitted the new pedals and trued the rear wheel a bit, just to see how it went.

All of 2 miles later I was a wreck, collapsed on the sofa with legs like jelly!

I'm obviously not as fit as I used to be