Ride_Revive
Retro Guru
I’ve a built a few retro bikes over the last few years in a quest to find a bike that is comfortable to ride distance on, but also able to do the odd bit of trials when I get to a funky obstacle. I’ve found roughly speaking that the bikes are 80/20, 80% comfortable and 20% trials.
I had a silly idea when I went to see Martyn Ashton talk about his career last year, having laid eyes on his viper red cannondale M800 BOTE. Before I get into that though the bike was the dream bike back when I embarked on my two wheel journey in the late 90s. Appearing in chainspotting followed by his blue Cannondale in later vids. (I did actually own a battered blue one early on and have regretted selling it for a long time).
I’ve built up relatively large frames with components that will stand up to trials abuse and I’ve loved them. I have however found myself wanting something a bit smaller. I have a giant STP which is tiny 14inch frame, but to run a seat post slammed, there simply isn’t enough to get the saddle high enough to ride distance comfortably.
So back to the silly idea, I’m listening to Martyn do his talk, whilst gawping at the cannondale beast of the east M800, and thought a 16inch frame would be ideal, well I was actually thinking the m800 would be ideal.
My view at the time:
I looked high and low for a year for a 16inch M800 and finally found this:
The paint, whilst looking okay in the pictures, was pretty bad when I got it, with plenty of marks and bubbling in places, so I didn’t feel too bad changing the colour.
The bike will not be a full blown replica, but more inspired by, with a few modern components which I’m trying to keep inline with the spirit of Martyn’s bike build.
I’ll be running a disc brake up front, so p-bones were not an option, the guy that sold me the frame had some fattys which was a real bonus.
A quick mock up with some bits I had kicking around:
The wheels I pinched from my giant trials team. The rear tyre did not fit this frame
Gil at retro decals sorted me out with the Ashton replica team decal set, and then it was a case of painting and applying the decals:
The frame turned out rather well!
I’m fully aware I’ve placed the decal at the top of the seat tube too high, so Gil will be get an order for another when he’s back from his holidays on the 17th of Jan. Then it will be clear coated.
In the meantime I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like matched with the fork:
The tyres may not be staying, but I’ll see how that pans out!
Cranks will have a 36t NW chainring with a relatively wide 10spd cassette and a clutched XTR rear mech. This should I hope make it decent for a bit of easy going distance riding, but also enables me to get the magic trials bike gear (equivalent of 22-17, which will be 36-28.)
I’m super excited now I’m getting that bit closer to take it for a spin!
I had a silly idea when I went to see Martyn Ashton talk about his career last year, having laid eyes on his viper red cannondale M800 BOTE. Before I get into that though the bike was the dream bike back when I embarked on my two wheel journey in the late 90s. Appearing in chainspotting followed by his blue Cannondale in later vids. (I did actually own a battered blue one early on and have regretted selling it for a long time).
I’ve built up relatively large frames with components that will stand up to trials abuse and I’ve loved them. I have however found myself wanting something a bit smaller. I have a giant STP which is tiny 14inch frame, but to run a seat post slammed, there simply isn’t enough to get the saddle high enough to ride distance comfortably.
So back to the silly idea, I’m listening to Martyn do his talk, whilst gawping at the cannondale beast of the east M800, and thought a 16inch frame would be ideal, well I was actually thinking the m800 would be ideal.
My view at the time:
I looked high and low for a year for a 16inch M800 and finally found this:
The paint, whilst looking okay in the pictures, was pretty bad when I got it, with plenty of marks and bubbling in places, so I didn’t feel too bad changing the colour.
The bike will not be a full blown replica, but more inspired by, with a few modern components which I’m trying to keep inline with the spirit of Martyn’s bike build.
I’ll be running a disc brake up front, so p-bones were not an option, the guy that sold me the frame had some fattys which was a real bonus.
A quick mock up with some bits I had kicking around:
The wheels I pinched from my giant trials team. The rear tyre did not fit this frame
Gil at retro decals sorted me out with the Ashton replica team decal set, and then it was a case of painting and applying the decals:
The frame turned out rather well!
I’m fully aware I’ve placed the decal at the top of the seat tube too high, so Gil will be get an order for another when he’s back from his holidays on the 17th of Jan. Then it will be clear coated.
In the meantime I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like matched with the fork:
The tyres may not be staying, but I’ll see how that pans out!
Cranks will have a 36t NW chainring with a relatively wide 10spd cassette and a clutched XTR rear mech. This should I hope make it decent for a bit of easy going distance riding, but also enables me to get the magic trials bike gear (equivalent of 22-17, which will be 36-28.)
I’m super excited now I’m getting that bit closer to take it for a spin!
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