New project, Marin Bear Valley SE. A 2nd Marin arrived

Nice one!

Here is mine in the current iteration. Swapped the Albatross for a similar bar from Ergotec. These are slightly wider and less back sweep what fits me better. The fit and finish is much nicer on the Nitto though.. :)

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Looking as good as ever 👍

What's your verdict on the Conti Contact Speeds? I was considering them for a recent 26er build but ended up going for the Contact Urbans due to positive experience using them on the Brompton. Was concerned the Speeds might be a bit fragile due to the skinwall. Also found it surprising that Conti state the Speeds as being heavier than the Urbans!?

My best description would be: unnoticeable in a good way.
Never had a flat, easy to mount, comfy enough and roll reasonably quick.

Think I paid 15 EUR each and for this price I cannot fault them. That said I haven't tried much other options so take my experience with a grain of salt.

Im interested in the Urbans, they seem very well regarded.

A new old Marin arrived, Team Marin from early-mid 90s.

Building plans are still undecided.
Leaning agains building it up stock with canti brakes included. The Shimano XT and Marin Lite parts are quite nice.

Maybe someone can educate me regarding the finish of the frame? I believe it´s "nickel plated" with a clear coat. It has some rust spots to tidy up but I think nothing major.

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After a clean up and a seized bottom bracket, this is the current status.
Found a Shimano UN71 XT bottom bracket which matches the rest of the XT parts nicely.

The build will be similar to stock to start with, only change is a Sim Works Getaround bar.

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The finish is really lovely, deserves some component bling, what's the plan?

Cheers, I like it as well.

As the parts are in decent condition I plan to just rebuild it as it came. Shimano XT from this era is pretty decent!
Never was a fan of the cantilever brakes or trigger shifters, but will give it a go this time.

I always shill for dynamos, since it's a commuter you could go cheap-ish with it too?

Nice! That is from 1993 if you hadn't determined yet. And yes, I think it has a nickel plating with a clear coat that gives it the goldy hue. 1993 catalogue (in German) attached.

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• Marin Catalogue 1993.pdf

Love vintage MTB with the Sim Works bars. It makes so much sense. Both of mine have different ones and I love them.

Ah great, it is a 93 then! And thanks for the PDF.

Yet to decide regarding the finish, might turn our quite bling if possible to bring it back to a finish similar to new.
Came across this thread and it turned out quite nice..

@Verbs_&_Nouns Yes it has a really nice shape, on of my favourite bars. The original stem is quite long, think I will find it a bit stretchy. Time will tell.

Not if you slap some nice curvy bars on it!

Edit: I guess you already hace a sweepy back bar'd marin..

The only option is to single speed it really.

I actually wouldn't mind a lightweight version of my Bear Valley with the same style bars. With the added extras it is a bit of a tank at the moment..

Single speed you says? I'm a big fan of your Marin build, so maybe.. :)

Hopefully will have it up rolling beginning of next week.

With the added extras it is a bit of a tank at the moment..

Thats why I got rid of my Bear Valley SE, although lovely it was just heavy and slow to ride.

the SS marin has undergone some huge changes, just needs painting!

So this ended up in a fun riding bike.

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Dibs if you ever sell <3

Looks fantastic

Very cool. Did you just leave the patina in the end?

Cheers! Yes I just did a deep cleaning and I probably keep it like this, rust seem to be just surface and it probably will not see rain so I think its fine for now.

It is a bit of a slippery slope tidy up the frame too much, I think the parts fitted would look a bit "off" with their wear. :)

that turned out really nice. glad you kept the shark fin!

Moved over some parts from the Bear Valley, and I like the result.

Briefly had the Pelago rack fitted on the Team Marin, and for whatever reason it handles better on this frame. This is probably how I will keep it build up for now.

On the to do list for the future: Hub Dynamo set up, Berthoud/Velo Orange mudguards and maybe a rear rack.

Not sure about the Billy Bonkers 26 2.1 (folding version). I think I prefer the previous Conti Contact Speed better as they seem to roll quicker and the ride quality is similar.

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Wicked that!

May i ask you the ID of those bars?

Im afraid I don't know the exact model, I think it is this one from Ergotec:

https://www.ergotec.de/de/produkte/lenker/sub/city-trekking-lenker/produkt/moon-cruiser-bugel-25-4.html

This is the current state of the Bear Valley.
Kind of a parts bin pub bike-thing with a bit too fancy parts. Oh well.

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