AlexD's modest array of bikes

Oh man, I nearly put pink cables on this - I've got some that have been burning a hole in my bits box! Mismatched pink didn't work and I felt like I didn't want to over-do the bright colours.
Definitely want to get a bright yellow bottle cage, though.

I've missed out on a couple of Elite yellow neon splatter on the 'bay recently :-(
Closest new cage I can find is a Zefal aluplast in boring old normal yellow.

Managed to get some cabling done. Gears sorted, just waiting for some cheap brake pads till I cable up the brakes. Then I’ll realise they’re shit and get some v-brakes, but one has to go through these processes...

It’s not a light bike, but it’s not as heavy as I’d thought. Only a bit heavier than my gravel bike actually.

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yes mate! this is delightful.

we should do a family photo.

Very yes we should.

I’m perilously close to having it rideable - might be able to finish it off tonight

Found this on Webcrawler. I look just like the guy on the right, interestingly.

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A right woedend messengerboy

The woedendest

Pointlessly incremental update time. Couldn’t stand not having a yellow bottle cage on this mother so bought a cheapie that’ll do for now.

Set up the cantis more or less. Need to do a bit of tweaking and cable snipping, but they’re more or less there. Surprisingly un-faffy, which makes me think I’ve got something wrong :-D

I also looked out the window and decided to change the tyres over!

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No idea why, but I really want to put on if these on this bike :-D

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Would you recommend the double fighter as an all round trye, are they much slower than the kojaks and do they have puncture protection?

Do not put that stem on it! You know that you need a Girvin Flexstem in lurid yellow.

Like this?

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Just like that yes?..........

They all seem to be 1 1/8 quill stems - I didn’t even know that was a thing!

I think as much as I like the idea of a suspension stem, I’m going to keep it rigid for now.

No idea I’m afraid - not ridden either yet! I was going to keep the kojaks on it at first, but I think I’ll save them till it’s drier. I’ll probably be riding this on mixed terrain so the contis seem a better bet.

Honestly, I hated mine, it was utter crap, bigger tyres with slightly less pressure gave just the same amount of travel, but I was never a fan of suspension forks either.

Yeah that’s kind of what I assumed. I recently sold some 2.2 Ikons - regret it now as I think they’d have made this a pretty plush ride

Brakes seem pretty good now, after a bit of fiddling. Got them how I like them: front grabby and back with a little more travel.
The front squeals - not sure if the pads just need to settle in or if there’s something I need to adjust. I’ve toed the pads in a 10p width (because that’s what was in my pocket to use as a spacer) - is that enough? Too much?

I’m currently trying to stop myself looking for a black stem and levers. Don’t really want to buy anything else for this now until it’s been ridden a bit, but I have it in my head it needs an all black cockpit but with gum grips.

Really looking forward to giving this a shake down now but unfortunately I’m stuck at home with kids and puppy for the time being...

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10p may be a bit much, I use my driving licence card. Try giving them a light sanding/scuffing and give the rims a good clean.
I like that stem on it, maybe a zoom seat post to match?

Ok cool - I’ll give them a tweak, then see if they chill out a bit after a ride maybe.

I was about to buy a black zoom stem but realised it was 1 1/8” steerer and now I can’t find any that are for a 1” steerer 🤷‍♂️

Don't know if you've seen these guys from Germany? Loads of Zoom/Shogun stuff, may have summat that'll work.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/mtbkultde

Brilliant, cheers. Some lovely looking stuff there - so much anodising! :-)

Not knowing much about this area of things, I had no idea 1 1/8” threaded steerers was a thing. If anything it seems more common than 1” with that era.

I’m well into this. I’ve likewise really struggled finding 1” riser quill stems for old mtbs like this! I’ve bought so many the wrong size by mistake...

Love this era but I can never get down with the long reach stems and flat bars, tend to go for a short riser stem and some 3” rise bars to get that bmx feel :)

Look forward to seeing the end product.

I’ve still not given this bike a proper shake down yet, so I’m not sure how the fit will be. Stem looks a little long from what I’m used to, but sitting on the bike it feels fine. We shall see. Other than potential fit tweaks, I’m going to try and resist dicking around with it any more now. At least until it’s got a few miles under its belt.

Took this one out on a gruelling loop Bristol > lansdown > bath > Bristol last night. Basically a mtb route really - lots of rocky climbs and death-grip bone shaking descents. Still pretty impressed with what it can handle, even with 700x40s (not using the 650 wheelset until I get round to modifying the frame.

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