G'Day all,
This is my first post here on this top site.
I pretty much joined up because I have been re-united with my first MTB.
I was back packing round Europe 89-90 and stopped in London for a couple of years working various jobs etc. A few of us bought MTB's One a Lloyd custom with Campag, another a Kona Cynder Cone and me and my 19" Orange Clockwork. I decided to go British and ordered it from a smallish shop around Battersea or Wandsworth area.
From memory you chose the frame either clockwork, Prestige or Aluminum O, Aluminum was a bit "New and untested" for me and I decided to go with steel. All parts were chosen by the customer which was something I liked, I optioned the slightly "fatter" fork and instead of the standard stalk stem I went for an alloy one (that broke later).
Componentry was shimano DX. Specialized control tyres standard.
That year I competed in the "West London MTB winter series" My first MTB race. It was held in conjunction with what looked to be a round of the national cyclocross series, coz David Baker was there for Raleigh. I used co catch the tube to usually the end of the line somewhere and ride like mad to get to the start in time!
I returned to OZ in December 92 with all my stuff in tea chests and the bike packaged somehow.
I continued my racing and bought a GT Avalanche, sold the Orange to a mate who used it as a "pub bike" who sold it to another mate of mine, (who also used it as a commuter/pub bike). This mate of mine decided last week that I should have it back and gave it to me!
I am STOKED to say the least! It will be a long term project as funds are scarce but because most parts are still, original-ish, I will start with decals and paint.
Hopefully I will be able to post some progress pictures as things happen.
Cheers