ILoveEnriqueAli
Devout Dirtbag
Hi,
This is my first proper post even though I've been buying things and commenting on topics here and there for a while. This build has been quite the lengthy one, and although it's in a solidly rideable position at the moment, it is not finished just yet. It is by-and-large a pre-1997 MTB, and is in spirit, but with some modern twists, additions and anomalies...
Last year my friend gave me a battered KHS Montana Pro 1992 frame that he had acquired for free after a colleague bought it in order to obtain the Rockshox MAG 21 forks that came with it. It was originally a midnight blue/black colour, but as it has chipped and rusted considerably, I decided to strip it and sand it back to eventually seal it as a raw metal bike frame.
I tried multiple sealing techniques including Halford's own clear coat (lol, began t show rust within two days of courier work), another higher end clear coat, and even rubbing vegetable cooking oil into the frame (also bad, just very sticky and smelled funny, fortunately it came right off with a sponge and washing up liquid). I eventually settled on boiled linseed oil to seal the frame which is doing the job so far, but I am always up for suggestions or improvements to make this a more lasting finish to the metal.
Another "fun" part of this build has been finding forks. The headtube is 1", but due to the nature of it having the Rockshox on it (with a ride a-c) of 403mm) it has been difficult to find good forks that are suspension adjusted and with a 1" steere that don't completely break the bank. I am still on the look out for some, so at the moment it is built up with some bloody heavy and crap steel forks that are definitely twisted and bent, but they're all I have.
Other than that, I have aimed for mainly XT components due to the durability and quality which is super beneficial for the touring I plan to do with it. However, this utility requirement has also led to me adding some modern components for both comfort and ease.
Also my wheels are mismatched and random, but they're doing a stellar job after I found out the front hub had 11 bearings on one side...
Specs:
Frame - KHS Montana Pro 1992, True Temper OX II
Forks - Broken, crap steel ones
Headset - Tange Falcon 1" Threaded, cartridge bearings
Stem - ITM, positive rise 1" quill stem with canti stop hole drilled
Bars - Very wide, no name black risers
Grips - ODI Longneck, flangeless
Bar ends - Random ones my housemate said I could have
Shifters/Levers - Shimano Deore XT, ST-M737, unfortunately the small plastic pin that aligns the indicator with the ratchet in the shifter has snapped for the left-hand unit, so currently the indicator isn't working
Brakes - M737 cantilever brakes, with XT pads and holders, also using the Shimano straddles from this brake set
Front Mech - Shimano Deore XT, FD-M736, 28.6mm, top-pull
Rear Mech - Shimano Deore XT RD-M739-GS, with replacement BBB jockey wheels recently fitted
Bottom Bracket - UN72
Crankset - Shimano Deore XT, FC-M737, 42/32/22t, 42t and 22t are the stock Shimano rings, however I replaced the middle ring with a 32t Surly Stainless Steel one for longevity
Saddle - Fabric Elite Cell Radius, for upright riding position, very plush for touring wit positive rise stem and risers...
Seatpost - Shimano Deore XT, SP-M730
Front Wheel - Shimano STX-RC, HB-MC32, laced to Araya TM-16
Rear Wheel - Shimano 105 road hub, laced to Mavic D521, with Shimano HG41 cassette
Tyres - Schwalbe Marathon Mondial
Regarding wheels, I have a great pair of M737 hubs that I want to build up into a wheelset, but for the time being I'm holding out for a pair of 32h grey Mavic D521's for this purpose.
For touring I am going with the bike-packing route of saddle bag/framebag/handlebar bag/fork mounted cages.
As mentioned, there are a few items still on my wantlist:
1) 1" forks, 400mm+ a-c, ideally threaded but threadless would work with a new stem and headset
2) Indicator unit (or just inside of one) for ST-M737
3) Paid of Mavic D521 rims, 32h, ideally grey
I hope you enjoyed my build post, I would love to hear any feedback or improvements you may have, especially on sealing and treating the raw metal to prevent corrosion.
Thank you,
Max
This is my first proper post even though I've been buying things and commenting on topics here and there for a while. This build has been quite the lengthy one, and although it's in a solidly rideable position at the moment, it is not finished just yet. It is by-and-large a pre-1997 MTB, and is in spirit, but with some modern twists, additions and anomalies...
Last year my friend gave me a battered KHS Montana Pro 1992 frame that he had acquired for free after a colleague bought it in order to obtain the Rockshox MAG 21 forks that came with it. It was originally a midnight blue/black colour, but as it has chipped and rusted considerably, I decided to strip it and sand it back to eventually seal it as a raw metal bike frame.
I tried multiple sealing techniques including Halford's own clear coat (lol, began t show rust within two days of courier work), another higher end clear coat, and even rubbing vegetable cooking oil into the frame (also bad, just very sticky and smelled funny, fortunately it came right off with a sponge and washing up liquid). I eventually settled on boiled linseed oil to seal the frame which is doing the job so far, but I am always up for suggestions or improvements to make this a more lasting finish to the metal.
Another "fun" part of this build has been finding forks. The headtube is 1", but due to the nature of it having the Rockshox on it (with a ride a-c) of 403mm) it has been difficult to find good forks that are suspension adjusted and with a 1" steere that don't completely break the bank. I am still on the look out for some, so at the moment it is built up with some bloody heavy and crap steel forks that are definitely twisted and bent, but they're all I have.
Other than that, I have aimed for mainly XT components due to the durability and quality which is super beneficial for the touring I plan to do with it. However, this utility requirement has also led to me adding some modern components for both comfort and ease.
Also my wheels are mismatched and random, but they're doing a stellar job after I found out the front hub had 11 bearings on one side...
Specs:
Frame - KHS Montana Pro 1992, True Temper OX II
Forks - Broken, crap steel ones
Headset - Tange Falcon 1" Threaded, cartridge bearings
Stem - ITM, positive rise 1" quill stem with canti stop hole drilled
Bars - Very wide, no name black risers
Grips - ODI Longneck, flangeless
Bar ends - Random ones my housemate said I could have
Shifters/Levers - Shimano Deore XT, ST-M737, unfortunately the small plastic pin that aligns the indicator with the ratchet in the shifter has snapped for the left-hand unit, so currently the indicator isn't working
Brakes - M737 cantilever brakes, with XT pads and holders, also using the Shimano straddles from this brake set
Front Mech - Shimano Deore XT, FD-M736, 28.6mm, top-pull
Rear Mech - Shimano Deore XT RD-M739-GS, with replacement BBB jockey wheels recently fitted
Bottom Bracket - UN72
Crankset - Shimano Deore XT, FC-M737, 42/32/22t, 42t and 22t are the stock Shimano rings, however I replaced the middle ring with a 32t Surly Stainless Steel one for longevity
Saddle - Fabric Elite Cell Radius, for upright riding position, very plush for touring wit positive rise stem and risers...
Seatpost - Shimano Deore XT, SP-M730
Front Wheel - Shimano STX-RC, HB-MC32, laced to Araya TM-16
Rear Wheel - Shimano 105 road hub, laced to Mavic D521, with Shimano HG41 cassette
Tyres - Schwalbe Marathon Mondial
Regarding wheels, I have a great pair of M737 hubs that I want to build up into a wheelset, but for the time being I'm holding out for a pair of 32h grey Mavic D521's for this purpose.
For touring I am going with the bike-packing route of saddle bag/framebag/handlebar bag/fork mounted cages.
As mentioned, there are a few items still on my wantlist:
1) 1" forks, 400mm+ a-c, ideally threaded but threadless would work with a new stem and headset
2) Indicator unit (or just inside of one) for ST-M737
3) Paid of Mavic D521 rims, 32h, ideally grey
I hope you enjoyed my build post, I would love to hear any feedback or improvements you may have, especially on sealing and treating the raw metal to prevent corrosion.
Thank you,
Max
