I've finally built up the STS I had in a box and it's turned out rather nicely IMHO, if not a little bit of a retro mod (it's a 97, they both are).
I've also got round to putting up my 6 bike rack and hung what I can from it, but it still leaves me with 5 on the ground and 3 in boxes. I'm hoping to reduce this down some more, a couple I've ear marked to go, but I'm thinking that I don't really need two STS bikes (do I?).
I've posted a few pics below, both are different build wise, but in terms of frame there are differences:
STS-2 has the alloy head tube and exposed seat post. It has also benefitted from a BETD bearing upgrade and is currently fitted with a fox rear shock from a jekyll with a custom trunnion mount.
The STS 1000-DS has a thermoplastic head tube, curved seat tube with a more standard seat post fitting. It has a fox air shock with what seems to be an original/specific trunnion mount (though this does not fit the modern shocks as the air can diameter on them is larger). I've fitted a new strong bushing kit and the rear end can take a disc brake (I've got the adapter for this).
Build wise, the STS-2 is mostly m970 with spinergy wheels, fox float rlc forks and Thomson finishing kit (all were bought new and have done zero miles). I swapped the disc only lowers on the forks with some new v brake capable ones from mojo.
The STS 1000-DS was built up from bits in the parts bin and has been blessed with XT m77x drive train and v brakes, spin wheels, sram cassette, Reba fork (world cup carbon csu, team v brake lowers), use stem, fsa slk carbon risers and a crank bros joplin dropper post.
I'm thinking I like the look of the DS frame better, but is it a better frame? I'm assuming it's an evolution of the earlier alloy heas tubed frames, but I could be wrong, so which is the better frame? The DS can run discs so is a bit more flexible too I guess (though I'd need wheels for that and couldn't use the spins or spinergy's).
Once I've decided which to keep, the next dilemma is whether to swap any parts over.
I'm keen to get some opinions on frame and parts as I'm pretty indecisive.
I appreciate that the parts are modern but the frames are 97, so if this needs moving to the >98 section, please feel free.
I've also got round to putting up my 6 bike rack and hung what I can from it, but it still leaves me with 5 on the ground and 3 in boxes. I'm hoping to reduce this down some more, a couple I've ear marked to go, but I'm thinking that I don't really need two STS bikes (do I?).
I've posted a few pics below, both are different build wise, but in terms of frame there are differences:
STS-2 has the alloy head tube and exposed seat post. It has also benefitted from a BETD bearing upgrade and is currently fitted with a fox rear shock from a jekyll with a custom trunnion mount.
The STS 1000-DS has a thermoplastic head tube, curved seat tube with a more standard seat post fitting. It has a fox air shock with what seems to be an original/specific trunnion mount (though this does not fit the modern shocks as the air can diameter on them is larger). I've fitted a new strong bushing kit and the rear end can take a disc brake (I've got the adapter for this).
Build wise, the STS-2 is mostly m970 with spinergy wheels, fox float rlc forks and Thomson finishing kit (all were bought new and have done zero miles). I swapped the disc only lowers on the forks with some new v brake capable ones from mojo.
The STS 1000-DS was built up from bits in the parts bin and has been blessed with XT m77x drive train and v brakes, spin wheels, sram cassette, Reba fork (world cup carbon csu, team v brake lowers), use stem, fsa slk carbon risers and a crank bros joplin dropper post.
I'm thinking I like the look of the DS frame better, but is it a better frame? I'm assuming it's an evolution of the earlier alloy heas tubed frames, but I could be wrong, so which is the better frame? The DS can run discs so is a bit more flexible too I guess (though I'd need wheels for that and couldn't use the spins or spinergy's).
Once I've decided which to keep, the next dilemma is whether to swap any parts over.
I'm keen to get some opinions on frame and parts as I'm pretty indecisive.
I appreciate that the parts are modern but the frames are 97, so if this needs moving to the >98 section, please feel free.