Marin Indian Fire Trail 1995 build

[fr0sty]

Yesterday I picked up a pretty nice Marin Indian Fire Trail (1995) locally. The componentry (full XT, white industries crankset) looked to be in very good condition and cleaned up very nicely (pictures to come). Unfortunately the finishing kit (seatpost, stem and handlebars) weren't really good. The seatpost was cracked and the stem and handlebars simply don't suit me, I want wider bars (current 560mm) and a slightly shorter stem (current 130mm). Also, the fork (a Judy XC) is completely dead, so I'm looking for a rigid fork.

I'd like to keep most of the bike "old-school" but with a bit of an updated cockpit, so I need some advice regarding some of the things that I need to order:

1) Of course the frame needs to be polished (I've already contacted Gil regarding decals). However, is it really necessary to get a mirror finish? I prefer satin for a number of reasons (main being ease of maintenance) and I think it looks pretty good when it is satin and will look even better with a nice clear coat (see cranks for how the frame will look as satin).

2) Would a blue seatpost be terrible with blue handlebars?

3) Which modern(ish) tyres work for a builds like this?

4) If I choose a modern stem (silver) and handlebars (blue) I'll need a cantilever hanger since I plan on keeping the stock brakes. What works best?

5) Silver/Black/blue headset? Too many choices haha.

These are the only pictures that I have so far...I'll update this with a bunch as the build progresses.

 

[VTFoco2001]

Re:

Nice! Perfect to have the original cranks available.
Have fun with the rebuild.

 

[fr0sty]

Here comes a quick update.

The parts that I had on hand have been cleaned and polished (where applicable). I'm waiting for a bunch of parts that should arrive on Monday, and then the bike will be pretty much complete (I'll have to wait a bit for decals).

Everything that was salvageable has been salvaged. I've decided to wait with the cockpit update until I've ridden the bike.

Sorry about the poor pictures...I'll have to grab some better ones in natural light.

 

[pikostar]

Yesterday I picked up a pretty nice Marin Indian Fire Trail (1995) locally. The componentry (full XT, white industries crankset) looked to be in very good condition and cleaned up very nicely (pictures to come). Unfortunately the finishing kit (seatpost, stem and handlebars) weren't really good. The seatpost was cracked and the stem and handlebars simply don't suit me, I want wider bars (current 560mm) and a slightly shorter stem (current 130mm). Also, the fork (a Judy XC) is completely dead, so I'm looking for a rigid fork.

I'd like to keep most of the bike "old-school" but with a bit of an updated cockpit, so I need some advice regarding some of the things that I need to order:

1) Of course the frame needs to be polished (I've already contacted Gil regarding decals). However, is it really necessary to get a mirror finish? I prefer satin for a number of reasons (main being ease of maintenance) and I think it looks pretty good when it is satin and will look even better with a nice clear coat (see cranks for how the frame will look as satin).

2) Would a blue seatpost be terrible with blue handlebars?

3) Which modern(ish) tyres work for a builds like this?

4) If I choose a modern stem (silver) and handlebars (blue) I'll need a cantilever hanger since I plan on keeping the stock brakes. What works best?

5) Silver/Black/blue headset? Too many choices haha.

These are the only pictures that I have so far...I'll update this with a bunch as the build progresses.

The frame is made of aluminum? The thick welds look to be strong for chrome moly.

 

[marc two tone]

Re:

Yes, these frames are aluminium.

Have you picked up on a Cromoly reference?

Pretty quick progress on this build, I have a marin lite quill stem from 1995, should you go threaded with the forks, you can have it cheap. Has the hanger too.

 

[pikostar]

Re: Re:

Yes, these frames are aluminium.

Have you picked up on a Cromoly reference?

Pretty quick progress on this build, I have a marin lite quill stem from 1995, should you go threaded with the forks, you can have it cheap. Has the hanger too.

I thought only the obsolete welding techniques. Such As Tin. The MIG-different welding between aluminum and chromium-molybdenum steel. It's different shielding gas and flux. Also, the temperature and the welding interval is different. The two Videos will illustrate the difference quite well:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT5cBnU77R8[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi1Znkd6Fno[/youtube]

 

[PopsTrippin]

Re:

I have the original forks for that in excellent condition. Let me know and i'll sort some pics.

 

[fr0sty]

So just because I'm a bit excited...here is the bike as she will stand for the next 10 days (going on vacation). I don't have the tools at my disposal to fix the fork and headset and I'll have to get that sorted when I get back.

Sorry for the potato picture.

 

[fr0sty]

So this build is nearing completion.

Just how vital are the decals? I quite like the look without and the decals are pretty expensive, but of course getting her as close to period correct (not stock) would be better I suppose. Thoughts?

 

[Relliott6879]

I'd personally go for the decals, even if they have to come a little further down the line when funds permit. As fine a machine as we all know an IFT is, the naked un-decaled frame does have the unfortunate look of a nondescript Taiwanese offering that you'd expect to see adorned with Shimano Tourney and nutted axles.