John Stevenson’s Bontrager Race refurb

[slimjoe]

It’s just been posted up on here that John has been given some really bad news in regard to his health. I’d literally just finished building his old Bontrager bike up. I wasn’t going to post this bike up on here but finding out this news changed my mind.
The paintwork is not an original colour! I always try and do things my own way. I wanted it to look like it would have done back in 93/94 and also like it had been found at the back of someone’s shed. I’m sure it’ll get some haters but here it is. My tribute to John Stevenson and the 1990’s MTB scene.

 

[slimjoe]

And another. I’m not going to do a write up on what every single part is. I’ll let the pictures explain.

 

[Camelos]

Thanks for sharing. Assuming those are Bontrager forks. Very nice. Interesting paint scheme- is it rust effect rather than actual rust?Overall it looks like an awesome build and has a real charm. Nice tribute.

 

[Carge]

Chapeau!!
That is a really cool build - absolutely love the colour scheme.
A very fitting tribute

 

[brocklanders023]

Very nice.

 

[noteeth]

Love it. There's always been something totally punk about Bontrager functionalism and this bike does it justice, IMO.

Great tribute.

 

[PanoIgano]

Was waiting for it! Thanks for posting it man!

Pretty stunning and I only looked at the pics once. I know that I will be referring back to them for a while...

I would really struggle to see who would come forward hating this one, really.

I personally really love it when one curves out his own way on a retro bike. Most of the time it just ends up with a more personal look and this sets it apart from the herd.

The color contrast with the bare frame turned out awesome honestly! I could pay you to turn on one of my bikes this way if I could afford it!

 

[slimjoe]

Was waiting for it! Thanks for posting it man!

Pretty stunning and I only looked at the pics once. I know that I will be referring back to them for a while...

I would really struggle to see who would come forward hating this one, really.

I personally really love it when one curves out his own way on a retro bike. Most of the time it just ends up with a more personal look and this sets it apart from the herd.

The color contrast with the bare frame turned out awesome honestly! I could pay you to turn on one of my bikes this way if I could afford it!

Thanks man, kind words. It took me 12 years to grow this project...mulling over colours etc. Im a big classic VW guy and was certainly inspired by my rusty old 64 van. It had to have an original Bonty fork on it and full Suntour drivetrain. Theres a few sneaky rare bits too like the 1" threaded Syncros headset and Titec/Bontrager Ti bottom bracket.

 

[JCS]

Looks fantastic!
Love the Suntour - particularly the seatpost.
Love the Salsa bits - seatpost clamp and bars.

I want to have a go on it!

 

[tangent]

Just been catching reading sad news of John’s health on the other thread…love what you’ve done with re-build.

I was lucky enough to score a Bonty OR in same olive drab colour as John’s in 1994/5 still have it … was thrilled to be riding a mtb that featured in MBUK, and survived my style of ‘deep forestry’ mtb’ing. Am inspired by this to make some adjustment and to make it fully useaable. Cheers.