Custom Rob English MTB

there were a few bikes at the time that used bolted rear triangles to keep clearance of steel at the rear and allow an alu front triangle....nishiki, mantis, cr7 etc....was the bonty one a flex plate bolted into the bb? non production iirc?

Yes! (cr7) - it was that, thanks, that's been bugging me in a minor way for a few days.

Ritcheys, Bontragers, Gary Fishers... I knew it was something from back then :) Look forward to seeing the pictures :)

sweeet. It the the front rack for a sleeping bag?

Ooof, those stays, lush! The paintjob looks great, Scott.

Amazing.

Where are you taking it for it's first ride?

I bought these 2 books about the Great Divide race last night. Don't know if you already have them BRP? If not, I'll let you know if they're any good.

Dividing the Great eBook: John Metcalfe: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Be Brave, Be Strong: A Journey Across the Great Divide eBook: Jill Homer: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Ooof, those stays, lush!

Are there any more pics?

There were...but I wanted to check first with Rob if he was ok with me posting them before the proper photoshoot ones are ready. ;]

OK cool. Look forward to seeing them, whenever they come.

Just having a browse round his other bikes and there are some really neat/interesting ideas...

http://www.englishcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ted04.jpg
http://www.englishcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ted09.jpg

whole bike: http://www.englishcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ted02.jpg

OK...I got the all clear! These aren't the proper pics, just a few Rob snapped while the shoot was taking place!

^ Speechless :-o

^ Ok, not quite ;-) That looks great! You must be very happy to see that at last.

Looks menacing.

I've already changed my mind on a couple of component choices...namely the contact points. :]

I'm switching to a Tune Speedneedle Marathon saddle, because the regular speedneedle is one of the comfiest i've ever used...even for distance.
I'm also switching from the ergon grips back to foam grips. The ergons are a great shape, and support your hand really well, but they're also really hard because of the plastic core, so they send a lot of vibration into your hand. They're also really heavy!
I might also switch to speedplay frogs, because my knees are a bit dodgy, and I like them on my road bike...I need to see how I get on with them off road first though.

I will need to convert it to tubeless too once I have it...and lastly I may still switch to 2.2" tyres instead of 2.4".

Looks amazing - will be great to see it with bags and covered in mud!

Weight?

Over the last 27 years of MTBing i've used so many different brands and models of hydraulic brake, right from the very first hope which used clamps to attach to the fork leg, right up to the latest...and none of them have convinced me that their extra power is worth it over an Avid BB7 for XC MTBing. I just have no need for any more power or modularity than the BB7 and a good, adjustable lever offers...sorry. :]

This

The previous estimation from Rob was quite a way off as he forgot the tyres/tubes...it's actually over 28.5lbs with the aerobars, rack, and hub gear. Not surprising though as an Alfine adds about 2-3lbs over a regular setup.
With the few component changes i plan, I expect it to drop to about 27lbs with all it's bits on.
With the rack and aerobars off it will probably be about 25.5lbs geared...if I run it singlespeed with a 'spare' front wheel instead of the Alfine it would be another couple of pounds lighter.

I never made much effort to save weight though with this bike...the position/positions, packability, adaptability...and the fit were the priority.
Unfortunately it's not very easy to build a lightweight internal hub geared mtb. ;]

looks great scott.

love the detail!

why did you opt for a wishbone stay? looks great, just wondering...

I bought these 2 books about the Great Divide race last night. Don't know if you already have them BRP? If not, I'll let you know if they're any good.

Dividing the Great eBook: John Metcalfe: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Be Brave, Be Strong: A Journey Across the Great Divide eBook: Jill Homer: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

The latter by Jill Homer is very very good, you should get her previous book too.

Cheers Ed. I'll check it out.

^^ Is that Arctic Glass, or Ghost Trails?

Ghost trails, that was before she embarked into the Tour Divide.