Varonha custom frame... And other ongoing stuff

Lovely bike. Was it reasonably priced on the 'bay? Did the wheels/drivechain/headset need much work?

Hope the fit is good and you keep it. Does it feel a better fit than the Dawes?

I am after something similar so highly unlikely dibs if it ever does go (sorry to be that person)

Thanks, I paid just over £300, which I was happy with. Was a pain to go pick it up though. Everything was mechanically sound, it came with a brand new stronglight crankset (though I put the old Shimano from the Dawes on it, which I like better - much better finish, the stronglight is a bit crudely machined), decent touring wheelset, and generally nothing needing attention. Everything I changed was personal preferences and unnecessary really, I used nicer (to me) bits I swapped from the Dawes (in particular the Nitto cockpit), or had waiting for the right bike, like the old Shimano cantis.
It's a better fit than the Dawes in that I don't need so much seatpost showing, but TT's the same, so it's not a million miles away. The Dawes wasn't a bad fit, just an annoyingly too short ST. I didn't need to move on from it, and I miss its sturdy/rough/indestructible feel (haven't resigned myself to selling it yet).
I really like the Mercian, it always feels great when I use it, but I have not decided yet if it'll be one I'll post on the 7 year itch thread!

Hi all, sorry for the ignorant question, but can I turn this crankset to a triple? Or just I just but another triple crankset?

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I have a few MTB triples, deore XT and deore LX. Both Octalink and I have the matching BB's for them too, if you need/want!

Also you cant turn those into triples! 1x or 2x only.

Ah, thanks!
Shame I can't change this...
My mind is otherwise quite set on staying with gxp / hollow axle, as I've had good experience with it and I've got the right tools... Also quite fond of having 5 bolts. Was keeping an eye on a truvativ elita on eBay (already have a set on my mtb) and turns out I was the only one to bid and I won it... I'll use these when swapping to triple.
You don't happen to have an old fashion TA triple crankset for sale in your collection?

If one of my bike's a good candidate for my old Pearl saddle it's the Mercian surely (although it's a bit "young" for it, but...)
I bought the Pearl for peanuts in a Parisian bike shop, they had it as decoration on their wall and were happy to sell it to me. It was maybe 15 years ago. I used it on several bikes, including my previous Mercian. Then for the last few years I didn't have any bike I wanted to have it on.
It has flat aluminium rails add and a dedicated carrier, and can't be used with a micro adjust seat post.
The best online bicycle shop in the universe, SJS Cycles, had a vintage Japanese made seat pin available , that nobody's buying because it's ridiculously short. Now I finally have a "trad" geometry bike properly sized for me (the ones I've had so far always had a tat too short seat tube, nothing much, but no way I could have used a post like this), it all came together.

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Gorgeous! I really like the Pearl saddle, looks very comfortable.

Ooooph that seat post and saddle combo is lovely

Thanks, yes I remember it being comfy. It has an horizontal spring at the nose that keeps permanent tension (I guess), as well a adjustment like a Brooks

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Thanks! But these bloody old posts are soooo short! After a little test ride this morning I had to raise the carrier bang on to the top edge of the post and cheat the minimum insertion a bit, just about right now. But with such a big frame I'd really hope I'd have margin!

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Crap I waited too long for a picture in the snow... Not everyday in London...

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Still a fine looking bicycle.

Couple of minor updates on the Look MTB...
A more appropriate (to me at least) saddle, some nice old Vetta, instead of the Flite Titanium.
Then I went a little mad with tires, the wheelset I'd found came with 1.95 (if I remember well) slicks, and it didn't fill the frame too well. Maybe going 2.25 was a little ambitious... Should I reconsider? The next update is it replace the chainset rings for silver ones for a more period correct look (Deore LX kind of), as I've got the same chainset in silver.

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Am I going to die?

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Nah, just shave the side knobs off like a true XC racer.

shave the side knobs off

I actually considered that, not knowing it was a thing!

How did I miss that?! Le Bon Coin?

No actually, bought the frame "on here" from @snoops
Built it about 2 years ago... And have barely ridden it :

I think @BassoBry did it on his Dreamroller

Great work! Love to see my ex-hoard being built and ridden. Wishing you many happy off-road miles.

Are you selling the Flite?

Are you selling the Flite?

I keep reinstalling it on bikes now and then, so kind of want to keep it for now, sorry...