We_are_Stevo
Old School Grand Master
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Re: Re:
Now THAT I like...
Matthews":ommtvatv said:
Now THAT I like...
What are people's thoughts on 'retro modding' a steel frame?
- Thread starter LikeClockwork
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Re:
I really really like that.........
:facepalm:
Shoot me, I don't care!
I really really like that.........
:facepalm:
Shoot me, I don't care!
Re:
Thanks.
I value comfort over style and I felt a bit stretched out on this bike after riding my others, so I've got even wider bars on it now with a bit of rise together with a shorter stem:
I did pick some bars with minimal graphics though, and I actually removed the lairy graphics on the stem with some acetone.
Thanks.
I value comfort over style and I felt a bit stretched out on this bike after riding my others, so I've got even wider bars on it now with a bit of rise together with a shorter stem:
I did pick some bars with minimal graphics though, and I actually removed the lairy graphics on the stem with some acetone.
Re: Re:
Hang on a minute while i get me gun but seriously that looks pretty good to me ..
@ Kaz , I really think your choice of Ritchey stem , bar n seat post would look the part on that lovely frame along with your other retro parts fitted and tbh a good fitting bike is a lot more important to your enjoyment of getting out there on the trails then worrying about being period correct ..
LikeClockwork":1lhlxkvr said:I really really like that.........
:facepalm:
Shoot me, I don't care!
Hang on a minute while i get me gun
but seriously that looks pretty good to me ..@ Kaz , I really think your choice of Ritchey stem , bar n seat post would look the part on that lovely frame along with your other retro parts fitted and tbh a good fitting bike is a lot more important to your enjoyment of getting out there on the trails then worrying about being period correct
..
Re: Re:
You forgot to mention ,
One great riding bike CHECK ..
Matthews":2opajuqk said:Unused canti stops check
Oversize riser bars check
Ground off brake bosses check
Modern tubeless wheels n tyres check
Ext BB and 2X9 check
100mm air forks check
Brazed on disc tab check
Out on the trails CHECK
You forgot to mention ,
One great riding bike CHECK
..Wish I had some photos handy....
I've done a similar "retro mod" of my wife's bike, a '97 Hardrock AX. She bought it new when I worked at the shop, and she was just my girlfriend... I'd dreams of teaching her to mountain bike back then.... They didn't come to fruition then.... But about 3 or 4 years ago, post 2 kids, she got tired of her generally poor physical condition and took up exercise, joined a local woman's MTB club, and took the old Hardrock out to the trails. The first summer, she rode it dead stock, rigid, low end canti's, 7 spd gripshift. Lots of bruises, bent chainrings, but generally the bike did well.
Soon, we came into possession of perhaps the worst RS fork ever made, a J1, 5.5# of 80mm pogo stick, but it took the edge off the bone rattling trails for her. Her wrists and shoulders stopped hurting so much. She could see the trail easier without her eyes rattling about so. It was good.
With it came V brakes, by necessity. She chose a pair of bright blue clarks levers, 68g the pair.... LOL.
That fork served her well for 1.5 years, along with the odd upgrade as parts broke/wore. New crankset, new cassette (mega range, LOL). She raced her first race, became very enthusiastic, and began to hone her skills and confidence.
Confidence is a double edged sword. Mid last summer, she found herself near the end of a group ride, hurtling down a gully, arched bridge at the bottom. Launched herself too far, landed on the upslope on the other side of the bridge, badly, and bent things. Bent the fork (one dropout was 15mm higher than the other). Bent the front axle. Bent her confidence.
We were able to find a damaged Magura Asgard 100 fork that I was able to repair (lathe time, good fun), so I installed that along with a new front wheel, Avid BB5... The tall fork relaxed the head angle a bit, putting it on par with modern trail bikes (somewhere near 67.5/68 deg at normal sag).
Today, the bike is lighter than it was in rigid original spec, about 27#. The derailleurs are modern Deore stuff, the shifters vintage STX 7 speed. A mix all 'round, no purist here. But the bike's ride has been transformed. It's wonderfully capable, durable, and comfortable. The handling is relaxed, confidence inspiring, but not so slow as to make it a chore on the single tracks.
She rides much more than I do now.
It's your bike - Make it suit your needs. Go ride. Break stuff. Breakage is an upgrade opportunity.
J
I've done a similar "retro mod" of my wife's bike, a '97 Hardrock AX. She bought it new when I worked at the shop, and she was just my girlfriend... I'd dreams of teaching her to mountain bike back then.... They didn't come to fruition then.... But about 3 or 4 years ago, post 2 kids, she got tired of her generally poor physical condition and took up exercise, joined a local woman's MTB club, and took the old Hardrock out to the trails. The first summer, she rode it dead stock, rigid, low end canti's, 7 spd gripshift. Lots of bruises, bent chainrings, but generally the bike did well.
Soon, we came into possession of perhaps the worst RS fork ever made, a J1, 5.5# of 80mm pogo stick, but it took the edge off the bone rattling trails for her. Her wrists and shoulders stopped hurting so much. She could see the trail easier without her eyes rattling about so. It was good.
With it came V brakes, by necessity. She chose a pair of bright blue clarks levers, 68g the pair.... LOL.
That fork served her well for 1.5 years, along with the odd upgrade as parts broke/wore. New crankset, new cassette (mega range, LOL). She raced her first race, became very enthusiastic, and began to hone her skills and confidence.
Confidence is a double edged sword. Mid last summer, she found herself near the end of a group ride, hurtling down a gully, arched bridge at the bottom. Launched herself too far, landed on the upslope on the other side of the bridge, badly, and bent things. Bent the fork (one dropout was 15mm higher than the other). Bent the front axle. Bent her confidence.
We were able to find a damaged Magura Asgard 100 fork that I was able to repair (lathe time, good fun), so I installed that along with a new front wheel, Avid BB5... The tall fork relaxed the head angle a bit, putting it on par with modern trail bikes (somewhere near 67.5/68 deg at normal sag).
Today, the bike is lighter than it was in rigid original spec, about 27#. The derailleurs are modern Deore stuff, the shifters vintage STX 7 speed. A mix all 'round, no purist here. But the bike's ride has been transformed. It's wonderfully capable, durable, and comfortable. The handling is relaxed, confidence inspiring, but not so slow as to make it a chore on the single tracks.
She rides much more than I do now.
It's your bike - Make it suit your needs. Go ride. Break stuff. Breakage is an upgrade opportunity.
J
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Brilliant contributions and pics chaps, really enjoyed reading about and seeing the bikes, and getting ideas.
Probably too many ideas, but hey ho
I've decided, get it riding, upgrade when money allows, have a summer of fun and wait for better/posher/more retro bits to turn up as and when. I seem to have got into the habit of picking up nice bikes cheaply, and scavenging parts, so at some point some bits of XT/XTR will turn up, maybe some nice CNC'd bits....
The rat Kona Cindy may be morphing a bit so the Breezer can be used as the 'mostly on road and lanes but with off road capability' bike. Possibly single speed. Possibly sub 20lbs over time....maybe :roll:
Brilliant contributions and pics chaps, really enjoyed reading about and seeing the bikes, and getting ideas.
Probably too many ideas, but hey ho
I've decided, get it riding, upgrade when money allows, have a summer of fun and wait for better/posher/more retro bits to turn up as and when. I seem to have got into the habit of picking up nice bikes cheaply, and scavenging parts, so at some point some bits of XT/XTR will turn up, maybe some nice CNC'd bits....
The rat Kona Cindy may be morphing a bit so the Breezer can be used as the 'mostly on road and lanes but with off road capability' bike. Possibly single speed. Possibly sub 20lbs over time....maybe :roll:
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