1996 Marin Eldridge Grade

Ok chappers, recently bought this of my fellow colonial Slow6, and by golly its a lovely frame and I reckon even as its a diddy little 15"er it will get a thrashing from me before I hand it over to my nephew who I am going to build it up for. So far I am unsure of its vintage, i think, going on some scans in the gallery, that it could be a 96.

Wheels cranks and seat are just for measuring purposes in this photo and it fits great.

Just collecting some period and some later stuff to spec it up and hopefully get riding it soon!

Updates when they come in naturally!

nice frames those.

That has to be the smallest head tube I have seen
Nice frame though, watching with interest.

That looks mean! How did the Quadras come up? still making that odd noise?

Looks like a very good foundation to build upon. Good find.

Slow6":1dp70go5 said:

That looks mean! How did the Quadras come up? still making that odd noise?

Click to expand...

The Quadras have lost the bottom part of the elastomer stack due to disintegration of the elastomers. I knew this would have been the cause for the noise. Once i pulled out the stack, and cleaned out the crumbs, they were silky smooth. For the new damping I found the perfect solution!



Kronos tuned springs, 30 bucks from ebay. They come in different rider weight grades, so these are on order as well as some new decals for the forks. My plan for this is to get all the bits bar the frame all nice and shiny, but leave the frame battle scarred, going over the frame it has such character, a really lovely frame. Now does anyone have any Mavic rims laced to 8 speed hubs?

skinnyboy":3kvt6t5o said:

Slow6":3kvt6t5o said:

That looks mean! How did the Quadras come up? still making that odd noise?

Click to expand...

The Quadras have lost the bottom part of the elastomer stack due to disintegration of the elastomers. I knew this would have been the cause for the noise. Once i pulled out the stack, and cleaned out the crumbs, they were silky smooth. For the new damping I found the perfect solution!

Kronos tuned springs, 30 bucks from ebay. They come in different rider weight grades, so these are on order as well as some new decals for the forks. My plan for this is to get all the bits bar the frame all nice and shiny, but leave the frame battle scarred, going over the frame it has such character, a really lovely frame. Now does anyone have any Mavic rims laced to 8 speed hubs?

Click to expand...

I was also looking over those for replacements for my "Total Air" cartridges, in my Judy XC's, once they eventually blow-out. Total Air, sadly, closed shop so when they go, I would like to have the guts/internals in reserve Looks like you did get a good price too

mini update:

Bought some Alex Specialised rims from the Bay, came with Tioga factory tires too, well chunkeh! Kronos springs arrived and these basically slid in and just work, even use the preload adjusters that the old MCU stack did.

Still waiting for other bits to arrive, namely HS33 levers, bar ends, saddle, M730 crank, RD60 rear mech, chain...etc.. come on mr delivery man!!

So not much to look at just yet, but all will come together in the next couple of weeks!

Ok bits have arrived and basically just waiting on some bar ends. 8 speed cassette, and Magura brake pads! (ignore the gruesome headset set up, I haven't fitted it correctly yet)



Build spec is basically:

Frame: 15" Marin Eldridge Grade 1996

Fork: Rock Shox Quadra 21R with Kronos springs

Headset: Nukeproof Warhead ST 1.1/8
Stem: Tioga Alchemy
Handlebar: Marin Lite
Grips: Tioga slim kraton Lock On
Barends: TBA

Brakes: Magura HS33
Brake Pads: Magura
Brake Hoses: Magura
Brake Levers: 2005 Magura HS33

Shifters: Shimano STX 8 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore FDMT60
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RDMT60
Derailleur Cables: Transfil Black Snake
Cassette: SRAM PG850
Chain: Wipperman Connex
Cranks: Shimano M730
Crank Bolts: Brand X Self Extractor
Chainrings: 22 Onza 36, 44 Shimano
Chainring bolts: Brand X Gold Ano
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN54 68 x 122
Pedals: Shimano M520 Silver SPD

Hub Skewers: Brand X Anti Tamper
Rims: Specialised Alex
Hubs: Shimano Deore
Tyres: Tioga Factory XC 2.1
Tubes: Tioga

Saddle: Ritchey Vector
Seatpost: Kalloy 400mm x 27mm
Seatpost Binder: Brand X Gold Ano

Weight: Unknown

I wish I had taken a photo of that frame when I found it.. dripping with awful panier racks and chunky looking headset extensions.. hard to believe, looks plain quick now :shock: