1990 Roberts Stratos E-Stay

iveto1983

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I'm not one to do protracted build threads, so I present this as it's now finished. I've actually had it for nearly 2.5 years, I bought it from Giovanni and he'd done a fine job finding the Mavic parts for it. I just didn't like the finish he'd chosen when he had Argos refinish it, or the decals they used, so I had Bob Jackson Cycles repaint it for me with custom decals from H Lloyd Cycles. I just got it back last week, it must have been one of the last frames out of the door before their enforced closure. I don't usually have my frames repainted, unless absolutely necessary due to a repair, but as this wasn't original anyway I just went for it.

I'm the 3rd retrobike owner, after mrkawasaki and Giom6.

mrkawasaki’s build:
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Giom6’s build:
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Since owning it, I've bought a White Spider just for the forks (the Track Two were very stiff), changed the seatpost for the right size, fitted a better bottom bracket and more comfortable bars.

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I also got the mighty Danson67 to extend the fork steerer and fabricate me some nice brass washers for the front mech cable anchor. I'm assuming the frame lost a cable stop at some stage because the front mech just didn't work when I got it, so I found a cable stop to fit on the mech and used the roller mount as an anchor point.
 
I contacted Roberts Cycles through twitter last year and they provided me with photos of the order sheet.

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The serial number says it was built in May 1990, so the wait from order to build was about 3 months.
 
Frame: Roberts Stratos 19.5” 900545
Fork: Roberts straight unicrown
Headset: Mavic 315

Stem: Salsa Pro-Moto
Handlebar: Merlin titanium w/ Controltech Terminator 22.2
Grips: ODI Attack black

Brakes: Shimano Deore XT m732 black
Brake Pads: Shimano Deore XT
Brake Cables: Shimano SLR
Cantilever cable hangers: Shimano
Brake Levers: Shimano Deore XT m732

Shifters: Mavic 825
Front Derailleur: Mavic 875 w/ cable stop adapter
Rear Derailleur: Mavic 845
Derailleur Cables: Mavic
Cassette: Sachs-Maillard LY 91
Chain: Shimano Dura Ace 7700
Cranks: Mavic 637
Crank Bolts: TNT Titanium
Chainrings: Mavic 26/36/46
Chainring bolts: Mavic
Bottom Bracket: Royce Titanium 128
Pedals: Shimano Deore XT m730

Hub Skewers: Mavic Paris Gao Dakar
Rims: Mavic 231 CD Hard Anodized
Hubs: Mavic Paris Gao Dakar
Tyres: Specialized Pro Control 1.95 (F) Specialized More Extreme 1.95 (R)

Saddle: Selle Italia Flite perforated black
Seatpost: Mavic 337 30.0
 
Lovely frame -

For what it’s worth (actually ‘nothing’ as it your build not mine) I preferred the old colour that Gio did - however am I reading the above correct and this was its original colourway?

Also surprised you put v brakes on it - mind you since your riding it I guess it makes sense having more stopping power - what does it ride like ?
 
I've always like yellow bikes with black components. I considered returning it to the original colours but the yellow in the Mavic parts swayed me in this direction. I think I made the right choice.

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Retro Spud":2tv5wk4m said:
Lovely frame -

For what it’s worth (actually ‘nothing’ as it your build not mine) I preferred the old colour that Gio did - however am I reading the above correct and this was its original colourway?

Also surprised you put v brakes on it - mind you since your riding it I guess it makes sense having more stopping power - what does it ride like ?

Thanks for the reply. Those pics are mrkawasaki's build, not mine. You were too quick for me lol.

It rides really nicely, particularly now with the more compliant bars and forks. It's pretty heavy at 12.9kg but still climbs well.
 
Re:

Fantastic job, I too thought the black version was the finished article initially, but you have made it far more beautiful imho. Very cool indeed.

I have to admit that if it was mine I’d have to have the wheels re-laced with stainless spokes rather than the black ones, but otherwise it’s perfect!
 
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