New member Marin B17

[Harey]

Hi all,
I’m a new member and have just purchased a Marin B17. I had one back in 99 when I was 16 but my olds sold it when I moved out. I had an urge to get another so purchased the below from eBay.
I’ve a few questions which I need your help/opinion
1. What are people using for the rear shock? I want to bring it a little more up to date and less pogo like
Any recommendations for front shocks?
Do I swap out the magura’s for disc brakes?
Do I enjoy it over the winter and strip it, repaint it and do a full nut/bolt refurb next summer?
Any other info would be appreciated

Thanks

Untitled by Jon Hare, on Flickr
Untitled by Jon Hare, on Flickr
Untitled by Jon Hare, on Flickr

 

[Paul R]

nice tidy example there doesn't look like it needs to much of a refurb too me id just servive it if it needs it. Fox shocks might do something suitable as long as its a shock designed for the same travel you cant go too wrong.

brakes I have a soft spot for the magura rim brakes depends if your wanting a bit more braking power I suppose.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Looks like a nice, tidy, period correct example there. I'd just service it and ride it. Certainly keep the Maguras on, and I would only replace the shock if it is unrepairable.
If you want something more up to date the best option is to buy something more up to date.

 

[RickTheUncivil]

Re:

Yeah, looks pretty tidy in the pics.

As others have said, if it works OK then I'd give it a once over and get it ridden a bit before changing too much.

I popped an air shock in mine and it made a bit of a difference as you would expect, much more tunable. Same with forks I guess more modern would be better in some ways, but then why not just buy a more modern bike to start with? ....says the guy who's retromodded his old B17 to run 29s.

What sort of riding are you planning?

 

[mamadirt]

Oh that looks just great as it is as others have said. Always had a soft spot for old DH bikes and I like the contrast of the fluoro yellow Maguras with the red. Fluoro grips would be good though.

 

[fotorat1]

If the rear shock is 185 ( like mine) then the Fox one works superbly and make the rear end much lighter

 

[Harey]

If the rear shock is 185 ( like mine) then the Fox one works superbly and make the rear end much lighter

Thanks, I measured the rear shock at 200mm and looking at yours it does look a tiny bit shorter than stock?

 

[Harey]

Thanks for the messages all. I'll be leaving it as is for this winter as it'll only be used for a few trails centres. Nothing too hard living in the flat lands of Lincolnshire