Do I want a resto-mod 26er hardtail? + let's see yours.

<blushes>
That GT looks ace.

I've built a few over the years.

The single limiting factor IMHO is tyre clearance. Find a frame that will swallow a decent sized tyre on a wideish rim and you'll be golden.

My lates 90's Konas will max out at 2'' on a fairly narrow rim. Late 80's lugged frame and you'll usually fit a wider tyre but then have to often contend with a narrower RW spacing and an 1'' HT.

The GT above IMHO would look moar betterer with a 25.4mm bar - it does win points on account of cantis.

Don't look at the Stridsland Instagram feed .........

I have wheels, frame, bar and stem all lined up for a build but I'm debating if I want to spend the money going down the disc route and having a tab brazed on.

Oh and the answer is yes because you know N+1 and all that jazz.

If you want some bits I have some American Classic wheels + Barzo's, XT drive train + brakes and a white Fox 100 straight steerer coming of another bike.

Paging @gbudd to the forum with his Fat Chance!

I’m actually doing that right now.

I’ve got a 92 marin team issue which I’m building up with 10 speed modern deore and a fancy chainset (when it arrives).

[url= https://i.ibb.co/4MHG9D1/aa82fec3-7d65-4638-941c-3bd97996d4c1.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/4MHG9D1/aa82fec3-7d65-4638-941c-3bd97996d4c1.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Will let you know how it rides when it’s done.

I built a Planet X Jack Flash in this sort of style. Moto bars with BMX stem, de rigeur mullet (27.5 front, 26 rear), rigid forks, 10 speed microSHIFT drivetrain and all that jazz. Stuck some Maxxis Ardent tyres on it for gravel and light (smoothish) singletrack duties. It never gets used...

I always want to do this. Then I remember how much I like disc brakes for being able to stop.

Then I see pictures like your Marin and think I’ve made poor life choices as that is beautiful! Please post photos when complete!

Having owned a 94 khs Montana comp that had 1” steerer rigid forks etc but got nicked and then later a mid 2000s inbred built up SS rigid I can see the appeal aesthetically. Both those bikes were rubbish off road compared to modern bikes though.
I have a dialled PA in skinny red 853 which my son will bring back from uni next month. I bought it in 2012. It has 140 uturn pikes, dropper, slx 1x10 and discs, 2.35 tyres etc. the head tube is 34mm id and seat tube 27.2 and 135qr dropouts so the last remnants of old standards that prevent it being kept fully “up to date”. Lovely soft back end on fast smooth singletrack though.

Maybe back to rigid fork no dropper style would work for it…

What steel 140 travel corrected 26” straight steerer fork would people go for? (front wheel can be qr or 100x20 as it is now)

Must have posted it a dozen times, so apologies to anyone seeing it for the thirteenth time

'97 Lava Dome, owned from new. Mix of modern and old components, but the only original parts are the frame and the clear plastic cable tubes on the top tube

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52054566010_a017a7a5de_3k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52054566010_a017a7a5de_3k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/srD1D85eq0 ]DSC00400[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52054112438_c626bf6051_4k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52054112438_c626bf6051_4k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/400xRt49p8 ]DSC00402[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52053031752_890305fa4c_4k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52053031752_890305fa4c_4k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/n4wjPK09Ls ]DSC00398[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

And my other slightly more modern 26'er

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52940122565_00bc093429_4k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52940122565_00bc093429_4k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/053Mv5Es4x ]20230518_150451~3[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

Love a good retro-mod project

[url= https://i.ibb.co/NxvqhLt/IMG-3286.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/NxvqhLt/IMG-3286.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

It's a good job I haven't got a big pile of cash burning a hole in my pocket 😬

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52939167442_c2ad8fb447_3k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52939167442_c2ad8fb447_3k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://www.flickr.com/gp/85252658@N05/qaPApPu8go ]Screenshot_20230531_111824_Facebook[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/85252658@N05/ ]davetheblade[/url], on Flickr

That ^^ is very nice.

I had a 20'' Hei Hei a few years ago that was lovely but by heck was it wiggly!

If you ran it with Maguras the seat stays would flex in a worrying fashion.

It was a good itch to scratch though.

I'll try to remember to post my 97 Orange P7 later but for now I would advise checking out Spindatt's youtube channel for inspiration.

...looks at Ti Inbred sat doing nothing in my back office.

Wonder if it's worth owt! 🤔

Here's my 1995 DBR Axis TT.

I've had it for 20 years with various builds. The Fox F80 I had on it recently blew & a mate hooked me up with a period correct P2.

Very nice, cheers gents, you're definitely swaying me in the right direction.

To counter some of the points above, I'm not bothered about it being rubbish to ride off road or brakes that lack a bit of performance, I've got a modern MTB that has these requirements covered.

Also, @Kryton57 I'll bear your offer in mind when I see what I need off a donor bike, thanks. I don't know when or what that'll be though, so if you get any interest in the mean time, take that offer.

I've got an old ~97ish Fire mountain frame in the garage that served time as my winter SS, I welded a Disc mount to the back end ages ago and then just didn't do anything more with it.

I've had a few ideas over the years about what to do with it, maybe Grind the canti' bosses off possibly even cut away the seatstay brace to improve clearances, then maybe use it as a 700c road/gravel/hybrid type bike, maybe try 650b on it or just build it back up as a 1x? - 26er hack, for which I would now need to find some wheels again, and I already have a 1x9 - 29er hack...

The sad truth is it's probably just going to sit in the garage forever now, I can't inflict my terrible welding on another human in good conscience, so unless I do something else with it, it's a scrapper/wall art. I have pretty much zero need for yet another MTB currently, certainly not a 26er anymore as all my bikes are on some flavour or another of 622mm rims.

I bought this as a station bike about 6 months ago

[url= https://i.ibb.co/z2HZRDM/99-BDC0-EB-A151-4-BA2-9-D7-F-086-D99518-E67.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/z2HZRDM/99-BDC0-EB-A151-4-BA2-9-D7-F-086-D99518-E67.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

It’s getting used quite a lot. Ridden it four days in the last seven for example, including a local trail centre. I’m now considering “upgrading” a few bits. The forks lose air and bottom out too easily, the right shifter has lost its return spring. Otherwise though it rides really well, surprisingly well in fact.

To go on I have some Noleen Girvin style forks (with a working “smart shock” coil) and a 1998 XT/LX 8spd groupset. I’m also eyeing up some 1996 Bomber Z1s which would be lovely…

To add to the above, a request for advice and ideas.

I’d like some fancy wheels, and some new tyres. Wheels would be 26” (obvs) and with black rims/spokes. Mavic ceramic would be lovely, but where to find them?

Tyre wise I’d like something that looks like a billy bonkers tan wall, but with a bit more tread for dry trails.

Any ideas?

@ cookeaa
The Fire Mountain sounds interesting. I have a 1997 one. Swapped for more modern bars and stem.

Today I took the slicks off and popped on a pair of new old stock Megbites. It’ll be my spin round the woods after work hack!

Tyre wise I’d like something that looks like a billy bonkers tan wall, but with a bit more tread for dry trails.

Any ideas?

Zoom in on my blue and white Shan further up. I believe Nobby Nics may be your answer 😉

Or are they too nobbly?

This is what it looked like before:

pretty much all the parts on it in that image are now flogged off or fitted to other bikes.

I believe Nobby Nics may be your answer

I believe you might be right! Will have a search for some

I've been considering a rat-resto-mod of my mates old Ridgeback*, it's got fairly chunky forks so I'm thinking a disc tabs & wideish street tyres would be the order of the day.

* bought from a neighbour for £50 bitd, then swapped it for 21" CRT monitor with my mate years ago.

Repained my MTB over Christmas, and gave everything a good service.

Running handbuilt Deore XT hubbed wheels now.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/166882394@N07/52581729976/in/dateposted-public/

Work mode (with new wheels - period XT hubs too)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/166882394@N07/52927226827/in/dateposted-public/

Yes you do

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/bdXLysNH/IMG-7605.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/bdXLysNH/IMG-7605.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Has wider bars/shorter stem on now 🙂

what size chainring is that please plus-one?

Just being nosey as I've ordered a 48t for mine.

Lovely bike by the way.

I guess you do! Here's mine GT and friend's Iron Horse, both modded to disc brakes (because you know, reasons).
Fat pumptrack type of tyres is a key to success. For me this is daily city-commute-grocery-mostly pavement type of bike, it's absolutely shite off road in comparison to 29ers.

Looking at some of these has reminded me that I haven't done my back stretches today. I think I would need to raise the front end now.

Was it @Scotroutes who had a converted Dawes Ranger? It was someone Inverness way I think

I need to dust off my sun vertik and kili team dont i!

Start with something nicer than a hardrock. Late 97/98 rockhopper would be cool if you are going fully rigid as they have Ritchey tubing.

Quickly checked and there are lots of steel rockhoppers on ebay. Mostly blue with a ritchey sticker on the bottom of the down tube.

You do, and I did. But don't make my mistake and build one with Canti's. Admittedly I'm probably not that great at setting them up but it was terrifying with stubby flat bar levers! Did look ace though...

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I’ve had a various retro bikes over the years. The last one I sold was my Ritchey P20, but it was built period correct. In terms of mods and the one I’d have back, it would be my Bontrager. Modified by its previous owner to disc mounts.

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/2332/2249053562_e6124b3e94_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/2332/2249053562_e6124b3e94_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/4qJZgy ]Bonty Disc[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/66452821@N00/ ]ritcheyp20[/url], on Flickr

I've got a 95 Kona Cinder Cone in originalish spec, well used but the period cut down bars and mahoosive stem. What are my options to shorten the stem?
Add one of those quill adapters for a modern stem and bars?

what size chainring is that please plus-one?

Thanks 🙂 it’s 46t

I’ve got a 95 Kona Cinder Cone in originalish spec, well used but the period cut down bars and mahoosive stem. What are my options to shorten the stem?
Add one of those quill adapters for a modern stem and bars?

It will take an 1 1/8th headset then fit modern stem/bar of your choice 🙂

If you're worried about tyre clearance and general modern compatibility what about a Stridsland Beachcomber?

https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-tobias-stridsland-beachcomber-ti/

Currently only in ti but I think steel orders are open or coming soon.

TBH unless you really like the look of modern kit on an old frame or fancy a project build I'd probably just buy a complete retro bike of decent quality as there are plenty about in great condition and 3x7 works fine in LX/DX/XT flavour, especially with Deore or XT thumbies. It'll cost miles less than building one up, will hold it's value better and you can easily change the tyres and bars.

Just stick a wanted add up on retrobike.co.uk and you'll have plenty of options or decide what you want then wait for an ebay bargain. In the last 6 months I've picked up two very decent and very original Orange Clockwork's for well below £200.

Oh how I wish I'd have kept mine.

[url= https://i.postimg.cc/F79T3hXF/zaskar-road-1.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/F79T3hXF/zaskar-road-1.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

It prompted so many builds afterwards, with the best probably being a rigid On One Whippet (New style)

I do quite fancy a project, but I'll buy a whole bike and probably keep most of what's serviceable. I'm not really worried about the value of it either.

Nice as that bike is Squirrelking, it's not really fitting the brief!

This looks like a solid prospect, not too far from where I live. 

This looks like a solid prospect, not too far from where I live.

Looks decent that

Here’s mine I did last year as a commuter, starting with a BFe 26 frame and some wheels off the classifieds here. Rest was a mix of old and new bits. Great fun building it up. And makes a nice leisurely commuting bike.

https://flic.kr/p/2nngwVq

Some of these look beautiful.

In the back of the shed I have a very early Kona Cinder Cone, 90-91 I think. P2 forks, Suntour XC LTD thumbies and derailleurs, DiaCompe brakes. To get this to era correct parts I'll need a cranckset, rear wheel, tyres, saddle and seatpost, grips and, of course, bar ends.

Although it's very tatty, there's only surface rust. If I do it up, it'll become just another shed queen. I'm probably going to get the frame and forks resprayed, then decide what to do. The cost of the needed parts is a bit silly, given that it's not a particularly special bike.

Convince me which way to go... do it up fully, or strip it down, clean everything up, sell them on to other more worthy projets.

Used my Dialled Alpine with 160mm Lyrik and Kenda slicks to get to the workshop occasionally. Very cruisey.... Brilliant for wheelies.

Probably retro now given it was over 10 years old.

I think my duster skinny is 2012 but looks like it's 15 years older (except the EBB, the single speed drop outs and the disk brakes).

Skinny prestige tubing? Ayes aplease.

seadog101
Full Member
Some of these look beautiful.

In the back of the shed I have a very early Kona Cinder Cone, 90-91 I think. P2 forks, Suntour XC LTD thumbies and derailleurs, DiaCompe brakes. To get this to era correct parts I’ll need a cranckset, rear wheel, tyres, saddle and seatpost, grips and, of course, bar ends.

Although it’s very tatty, there’s only surface rust. If I do it up, it’ll become just another shed queen. I’m probably going to get the frame and forks resprayed, then decide what to do. The cost of the needed parts is a bit silly, given that it’s not a particularly special bike.

Convince me which way to go… do it up fully, or strip it down, clean everything up, sell them on to other more worthy projets.

TBH mate I wouldn't re-spray it if you are not going to use it. Get the bits you need, clean it up then enjoy looking at it. That way you maintain the interest of the retro crowd if you decide to move it on later as you'll never get back the money if you refurb it.

Yes you do. Was out on this this evening.

In the back of the shed I have a very early Kona Cinder Cone, 90-91

If that's a splatter paint version then it would be a crime to repaint.

I've got a 1990 splatter paint fire mountain arriving some time in June which I'm getting quite excited about.

Nice as that bike is Squirrelking, it’s not really fitting the brief!

No worries, just putting it out there as a curveball.

I still want another 99 GT Timberline in whatever the green colour was called, I'd probably size up but given how thin on the ground they are I wouldn't be fussy.

Couple of mine

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

The key for me is modern folding lightweight tyres, light wheels, 11-42t 1x 8/9spd.

The stumpjumper has a crotch grab lever dropper post too now.

Couple of mine

Love the Giant

If anyone wants something a bit newer I have a 2010 P7 I'm looking to shift, it has an 8 speed Alfine at the moment but have some bits spare that could do 3x8 if you have a wheelset to put on it. Currently has a Cromoto Grande but have the original Toras if you feel that's too light 😆

1999 dekerf, bought second hand in 2000. disc mounted, resprayed with salsa cromoto forks to match and SS'd in 2012. plus front added in 2016(?) Stooge Junker bars in 2019. Still a hell of a lot of fun to ride, and SS hurts me on the hills every time! might lower the gear at some point.

I *might* have a 1997/1998 Privateer frame spare....

Dear god, restomod? My newest and 'current' hardtail is a '97 Airborne Lucky Strike. Disc Mounts added after a decade but otherwise just fine and will do me for a while yet.

TBH mate I wouldn’t re-spray it if you are not going to use it. Get the bits you need, clean it up then enjoy looking at it. That way you maintain the interest of the retro crowd if you decide to move it on later as you’ll never get back the money if you refurb it

That's the thing, I'll probably not get much time to ride it, shed very full as it is!

Dear god, restomod? My newest and ‘current’ hardtail is a ’97 Airborne Lucky Strike. Disc Mounts added after a decade but otherwise just fine and will do me for a while yet.

Bet you don't own a TV, do you?

😉

1992 Rudy Project Yuma
Build thread.
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/attachments/rudy-project-yuwa-1992-93-003-large-jpg.115888/

Mate of mine has a complete Marin Hawkhill that he wants rid of if that's of interest?

I have a Schwinn Homegrown USA frame in the shed. Paint is pretty tatty. Beautiful lightweight xc frame from around 1998. V brake only.

Loved that bike for years, sharp, lightning fast even for my unfitness level since been used for a commuter hack, winter SS, xc rides. Absolutely no desire to ride it any more as the two bikes that have followed have been so much better. Every time I build it up it just gets passed over for the 29r.

If anyone wants a project I'd happily offload it.

In fact I've got a 2004/5 ish Gary Fisher Tasajara WSD that needs moving on too. That needs photographing and listing in the Classifieds as well this weekend.

Sorry post sort of became a stealth ad 🤪