mechagouki's 1991 Marin Eldridge Grade new pix 5/6/2013!

[gingernuts/badger]

Re: 1991 Marin Eldridge Grade; found another after 20 years.

welcome!
and SNAP i've got one of those, i'd keep the shifters old school if i were you
i've been thinking about doing what i did to my '91 Marin back in the day and update all the bits (slowly)
when they wore out or when i had enough pocket money to do it.
I think i ended up with SS5 brake levers, 986 cantis and DX thumbshifters oh and Tomac Attack grips

 

[RockiMtn]

Re: 1991 Marin Eldridge Grade; found another after 20 years.

Hey Frank! Been meaning to email you (you know what I'm like), fancy doing a retro equipped Epic 8 this summer? Julian is up for it.

Might take you up on the STi units, sure I can find something to trade.

alright, i'll set them aside for ya. was planning on posting them up, along with some other stuff for sale as i need to do a clear out. if you need anything else, let me know and i'll have a look for ya.

sure, if you wanna do the Epic 8 again, i'm game. i may have a few other guys i can ask to join as i made some new friends since you moved out of my life!

 

[mechagouki]

Re: mechagouki's 1991 Marin Eldridge Grade

Think I've got most of what I need now:

Grips as mentioned earlier, very cheap and exactly as I remember them BITD:

These brake pads appear identical to stock, but are packaged as Altus now, hopefully a little softer than the originals:

A minor deviation from stock build, I think these hangers will suit the bike, the original Shimano parts are too rusty to bring back:

The one major expense of the build, a Selle Italia Flite 1990 replica. This seat sells for well over twice what I paid for the bike, but I didn't think anything else would seem right (to me). Although I've owned many, many Flite seats over the last 23 years I think this might actually be the first brand new one I've ever bought, maybe a measure of how much I like this bike!

I notice the base is 10% carbon fibre now, perhaps this will delay the inevitable Flite hammocking issue. The leather on the new ones has a nice, less shiny finish to it that I think will suit the bike.

I've got a three day weekend this week, so hopefully I can grab enough time to throw it all together.

 

[juice]

Re: mechagouki's 1991 Marin Eldridge Grade

I like what i see so far. Maybe i can manage it to get on with my own Eldridge Grade this summer.

 

[mechagouki]

Had some time today so I threw the Eldridge together and took it for a ride in the sun:

Yes, I know my house needs painting.

Possible retina damage looking at this bike.

Blue genuine Shimano housing one of a few minor deviations from stock.

Wheels are in great shape.

I drive retro too...1989 Toyota 4Runner for anyone who cares.

Perhaps not as cool as Zolatone, but I love how this bike looks.

Rides just as I remembered. Push/push DX Sti units absolutely as awful as I remembered - will be gone for modern units soon - sorry. Felt great riding it, very deja-vu. Flite seat will take some getting used to (again), doesn't compare too well to my modern seats comfort wise.
I have more plans for the bike, I have a nice XT/RM17 wheelset I'll probably throw on, maybe some blue ano'd bolts here and there. It's going to see some miles though, so I won't be going crazy cosmetics wise.

 

[feetabix]

.....Lovely.......but 'aaaahhhhhhggghhhh........my eyes!!'.....



Don't fret about changing a few bits on it, I would keep them if the urge arises to put them back on in the future, but surely the only important thing is that you are enjoying owning it!....

 

[mechagouki]

Yep, it makes me happy just looking at it!

One thing - I thought maybe my memory of setting up the DX/XT New Low Profile cantilevers was clouded by the years - surely they couldn't be as fiddly as I remembered? But they are! Absolutely the most ******* annoying brakes ever to set up (yes I'm including U-brakes), the Tektro hangers take some of the pain out of the process but still a PITA. It's just as well they work so well or they would be on my hate list with the STi units.

 

[wookiee]

Yep, it makes me happy just looking at it!

One thing - I thought maybe my memory of setting up the DX/XT New Low Profile cantilevers was clouded by the years - surely they couldn't be as fiddly as I remembered? But they are! Absolutely the most ******* annoying brakes ever to set up (yes I'm including U-brakes), the Tektro hangers take some of the pain out of the process but still a PITA. It's just as well they work so well or they would be on my hate list with the STi units.

My advice?? Get one of these! Makes life a lot easier!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001D8WLQO/r ... wo=&hvqmt=

 

[mechagouki]

Genius! I've worked as a shop wrench for years and I've never seen that before!

I will order one today. Thanks dude!

 

[wookiee]

Genius! I've worked as a shop wrench for years and I've never seen that before!

I will order one today. Thanks dude!

No probs mate...