Graham Weigh CX Build

[pwebb]

My restos are normally vintage steel 1980s MTBs but decided to acquire a similar age CX bike...

arrived in dubious livery and with knackered components - almost nothing working properly and the old deer head front mech worn as thin as a rizla paper!



I was just going to keep this as a winter trainer and hoped some new wheels and a more respectable saddle might be enough ( keeping the green witch for a halloween trick!)


BB seriously clunky and bar end shifters in a very sorry condition and not really possible to rescue so...

...complete strip down to frame and forks ensued



some serious wrestling needed to free the quill stem and also the BB ( ripped my BB tool to pieces in the process) but got there in the end - so off to cyclone for some TLC and powder coating...

 

[pwebb]

...back from powder coating - very happy with the candy purple finish




mock up to check the proportions and colour scheme



thanks to 'tarloone' for the wheels - these go very nicely and are super smooth

 

[pwebb]

now fully built up - with cheap groupo - while I decide what it might end up with - these components are perfectly adequate for now and 2x 8 is probably max that will fit with 130mmm axle spacing


I obtained genuine Graham Weigh decals but in all honesty they are hideous so decided to eschew these on everything but the steerer tube where you cant really see it and it can't offend the eyes!



weigh-in (geddit?) reveals the whole build at just under 10kg so pretty happy with that

 

[pwebb]

test ride in the peak district yesterday - it is a nice responsive gravel/CX bike for not too much outlay and ideally suited to trails and tracks with the odd ascent -


and doesn't mind getting a little dirty...

 

[moonlite]

Nice job! What budget components did you use?

 

[Blacktopdisciple]

That's a nice quality powder coat job. The detail around the lugs is good.

 

[pwebb]

Nice job! What budget components did you use?

some claris and tiagra bits including brifters, front and rear mech and chainset saved some cash - these are perfectly functional but heavy. I think the most expensive bits were the NOS tektro cantis and I had some fun finding a new headset with 27.0 mm crown race that wasnt too tall for the pre-cut steerer but otherwise this was just like the vintage MTB restos I am used to. I am collecting NOS '90s period Ultegra parts for this bike gradually as I see them and will eventually upgrade.
that is a nice blog/website you have btw - lovingly curated

 

[Mod-Master]

Very nice, love the dark purple.


(Psst, what did you do with them 700c wild grippers ?)

 

[pwebb]

Very nice, love the dark purple.


(Psst, what did you do with them 700c wild grippers ?)

alas funky green tyres had to go in the bin - bead wires detached from the casing and the sidewalls were disintegrating - I have saved, restored and re-used the wheels though as they are still serviceable

 

[MartinB123]

Love the colour as well as the life you've injected into the frame!