Yet another lava dome!!! (1994)

[bold stelvis]

getting there - slowly!

proper non lethal front canti hanger arrived - I can now safely use the front brakes




though I must admit I'm still not sure on the whole canti thing - these keep calling to me and the rational side of my brain definitely approves



I also kinda gave up on the whole 9 speed thumbies thing - mainly because it appears almost impossible to find a set of 9 speed microshift ones without essentially buying the bar end versions and then another small fortune on brackets to mount them. Just can't justify that expense given the whole build looks like it will be well north of half a grand already once wheels and tyres get sorted. So 20 quid on some 2nd hand rapid fires it is. Lucked out on this set off ebay, they look brand new:



Which does mean the ugly zee and 10 speed cassette is now off and a lovely shiny M739 + XT 34T 9 speed is where it should be



leather turned up for the saddle as well as a sewing kit - wish me luck!!



Given the earlier musings on bar and stem choices, I also grabbed this for a tenner off bankrupt bike parts - just to try out something distinctly more cruisery and see what I feel before splashing more cash on a posher version from Nitto...Though these cheapo test bars might be a bit much!

 

[bold stelvis]

Stridsland mode in full effect





Part of me is aesthetically horrified I will admit, but another part is kinda warming to it…I have suddenly developed a strange compulsion to attach a front pizza rack and post arty photos on instagram

Obviously given I live in Glasgow, it was grim weather and started to piss down as soon as I left the house, hence the grainy images

I was surprised just how much changing the bars totally changed the ride feel. 10cm of rise and I guess about 30-35 degrees of back sweep and suddenly no more stretched out back, the weight was off my hands and I could actually see ahead effortlessly without worrying about later life spine surgery.

Took some getting used to initially, and I'm not sure I would want to be doing any serious actual MTB-ing with this setup (lets face it, I do very little of that anyway) but it is kinda fun for an urban ride. Getting through doorways is another matter however

For anyone immediately thinking I need a “BMX stem” to go with this I would disagree - with the 120mm Kore the reach felt spot on (but maybe not the best match up looks wise)

As mentioned before this particular bar is not staying for long - it was just a cheapo 10 quid experiment, but I'm glad I did it. Has definitely pushed me in a particular direction for what will be the final build choice: more rise and more sweep than some of the bars I was previously pondering, but probably not as extreme as this. I am thinking 50mm rise, 15-20ish degrees backsweep sounds like a good sweet spot.

 

[Scott-S]

I thought that was the Kelvin in the background, but its too wide so Im guessing its the Clyde.
wasn't sure on the angle of bars at first glance, but it looks like quite a relaxed position and it suits the bike rather well to be honest.
(PS that green is lush )

 

[bold stelvis]

I thought that was the Kelvin in the background, but its too wide so Im guessing its the Clyde

it was indeed the Kelvin - given the amount of rain recently its pretty much in full spate

 

[Scott-S]

it was indeed the Kelvin - given the amount of rain recently its pretty much in full spate

Christ you'd think as a native I'd have realised about the rain
Thanks for your time