Palisades Trail '94

[simcfarlane]

This was my first foray into retro bikes... I wanted something to learn how to overhaul. Found this locally - cheap - but a bit of a mess. Scratches all over - not much left of the stickers, rusty spokes, very stuck rough bottom bracket, seized bearings, rough headset, cassette + chain shot.

I set about doing all of the above and this is what I've ended up with. I was trying to do it on a tight budget so home paint job and modern repro stickers from the bay. Couldn't really justify the cost of paint and stickers on this one.

Got some great advice on here along the way.

It's come in at just under £100... not bad considering it's almost all new. Love the ride. Wish I could have had this when I was a kid rather than my Townsend 2000!

Got the bug now so want to do a proper restoration next time. Any suggestions what I should go for?

 

[CassidyAce]

Re:

Nice-looking bike. Tasteful colour choices. Well done! (Probably ought to be in the 'Readers' bikes' section.)

Which paint did you use, by the way? And does it chip easily (if you know yet)? And how on earth did it come in at under £100? Shoplifting?

As for your "proper restoration": some people look for the bikes of their dreams when they were young, some look for bikes for specific purposes, e.g. touring, some just seem to be addicted. It's entirely up to you.

 

[Akula]

Try another Marin, look out for a higher end model. Liking what you've done with this one

 

[Lhatch4]

I did a 1999 Team Marin. It's my favorite bike to ride at the moment. I built it to be functional not pretty. I guess you should build what you like. I've been thinking about doing a Specialized Stumpjumper M2. I haven't found the right frame just yet but I have my eyes out for it. Right now my zaskar is keeping me busy. Oh and someday I want to build my dream bike. That's a Moots YBB. Someday

 

[Rotorhead]

Very nice work with the Palisades. You obviously have a flare for colour schemes! I’m a nut for Marins myself. Nothing at the top,top end but I’ve got a few Pine Mountains of similar vintage to yours. They ride great too but are lighter than the PT! At one stage I was thinking of trying for the whole 1992 model year but I think it’s out of my system now. So I’d recommend moving up the Marin quality scale too.

 

[simcfarlane]

Re:

I tried some paint lying around the garage first (silver) - but was just too soft. This is matt black Rustoleum Hard Hat I already had. Goes on easy, dries fast and seems very tough. It's not cheap - but I did the frame and forks with a single can.

I was being very frugal... lots of shopping around. I had a quick cost tot up:

Bike - £30

Bottom Bracket (BB-UN55) - £12
Stainless steel spokes - £14
Shimano cassette - £10
Shimano Chain - £5
Saddle (Selle Italia Neckar) - £5 (brand new eBay bargain)
Cables - £4 (the black are original)
Logos - £4
Bearings - £4
Frame protection stickers - £1.50
Ritchey brake pads (x4) - £1.19 (found in the bargains section on here)
Ritchey Logic Headset - £10
Ritchey logic grips - £8.50

Total = £109.20... I'm sure there were a few hidden costs I've forgotten.

Salvaged as much as I could... and I had to buy a few tools (not counted that!).

I do like Marin's - I have a '99 Eldridge Grade too. I have a soft spot for the new Pine Mountain in the classic colours.

Quite fancy a Kona Kilauea '97 with Project 2's. Doubt I find one of them on the cheap though!

 

[simcfarlane]

Re:

Few more before pics of the bike.

Poured boiled linseed oil into the frame once stripped - was told it's an old school frame saver. No idea if it will work.

 

[Rotorhead]

Re:

Looks like S lot of hard work as they generally are. What did you use to strip the frame? I’ve got one to do soon myself.

 

[Retro Spud]

That old dog sure cleaned up a treat, never gonna win Cruffs but hey nobody could feel embarrassed riding that now

I bet the next one won’t be as easy on your pocket... lol
However if you stay at LX I’ll bet you’d be able to build for buttons as there must be tons of the stuff squirrelled away in boxes when folk have moved up to XT or XTR.

 

[simcfarlane]

Re:

Mainly a soft wire brush on a drill. Came off OK. Bit of paint stripper for the tricky bits.

Don't know if I would be so brave with a better frame though.

Needed a breaker bar and long pole for the bottom bracket. Quite scary.

It'll probably do someone as a decent commuter when I start to work on a better one.