1998 Sunn Total Soft tail

Been farting around with this for ages and it still needs some vital parts but since I'm actually riding it I suppose I should pop it up for criticism (positive and negative)

First off it's a bit of a mystery as the 1998 is chromed in all the photos I've seen and this one is brushed steel with a 97 serial number. But there doesn't appear to have been a Total in 97.



Frame is Tange DB tubing and super thin tubes throughout, especially the stays.

Luckily it still has the odd Sunn "bubble" top tube stickers, a little bit of peeling but nothing too bad. I need a set of Sunn decals for the downtube but I think I might like it without them.



Here it is before most parts are fitted



Wheels on giving a better idea of the final look



All XT parts, nice. Lovely almost NOS levers from good old Retrobike



And Cranks pretending to be XT Actually LX from the same year



Almost there, just needing cabled up and chain.



As it stands now



It is still not ready.
Parts to be changed are,
Forks to be changed for Pace RC36 when I get the cash.
I've got a pair of XT739 hubs and Mavic 517 Citron rims to get built up.
Time pedals to go back on to replace the DBR that are just on to get me riding.

Frame: Sunn Total Tange DB

Fork: On-One (temporary)

Headset: Diatech
Stem: Bontrager
Handlebar: Ritchey Comp
Grips: Yeti


Brakes: XT M739
Brake Pads: XT
Brake Cables: Clarks
Cantilever cable hangers:
Brake Levers: XT M737/9

Shifters: XT M740
Front Derailleur: XT M737/9
Rear Derailleur: XT M737
Derailleur Cables: Clarks
Cassette: SRAM PG850
Chain: SRAM Powerchain
Cranks: LX M569
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN54
Pedals: DMR V8 (Time ATAC waiting)

Hub Skewers: A2Z Ti
Rims: 317 rear/517 front
Hubs: Deore
Tyres: Panaracer FireXCpro 1.8 (planning on 2.1)


Saddle: Spoon Charge Surface
Seatpost: Brand X
Seatpost Binder: Hope

Weight: 25lb

Looks great.

I ran a Ritchey Soft tail with a rigid fork and found it a little odd feeling. I much prefer the feel of a short travel fork with a ST.

al.

al":18dle7k8 said:

Looks great.

I ran a Ritchey Soft tail with a rigid fork and found it a little odd feeling. I much prefer the feel of a short travel fork with a ST.

al.

Click to expand...

I know what you mean, not that the soft tail actually moves that much. It is getting looser though which is nice as it was totally seized when I got it.

Nice build - can't beat a shiny metal frame, how much travel is on the soft tail? (or meant to be)

The Ken":18nzb255 said:

Nice build - can't beat a shiny metal frame, how much travel is on the soft tail? (or meant to be)

Click to expand...

A whopping 25mm of travel according to the brochure. I think you'd have to be fairly heavy to get that much though. And I'm not sure how much I'd like that amount of flex on the chainstays anyway.

that's a good looking machine

I guess the little but limited travel will provide some rider comfort

lovely

Looks good, can't think of a sunn i don't like
good to hear the ridgids are temporary would be good to see some obyss on there.
great XC machines when built up right.

Looks well Taz. I even quite like the look of the forks.

Need to get those pedals changed though. Red to match the headset would be better if you are sticking with the flatties. Might be able to do you a wee swap deal if they are DMRs.