Harry Quinn - and an American cousin
- Thread starter legrandefromage
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A surprise win on ebay gave me ideas...
Suspect handling around Cannock identified and odd problem: the steerer was not symmetrical, the top and bottom faces were around 3 degrees out. Now, I'm no stranger to an angle grinder and using my calipers as a datum (they are the most precisely engineered flat surfaces I have) I set about with dremel and grinder.
Success! The slightly awkward feeling steering was replaced by super smooth turn to turn.
I suspect the constant wear from a too small headset top cup had been the cause. A Shimano 600 from the road spares drawer fitted perfectly and was a good tight fit.
The Tange Switchblades had arrived this morning. They wore their age with lots of surface rust and attacks on the bearing race with a screwdriver and a hammer. More dremel action, some very soft well used wire wool and an hour later, they came up in very good condition with little or no pitting to the legs.
More grinder and dremel action with the steerer as thankfully, the steerer was just about 4mm too long rather than the hair tearing out too small.
The ride was transformed. The original Columbus forks are around 10mm longer than the Tange and gave the frame a bit of an odd 'feel' over what I've been used and like. The shorter Tange, slightly altered geometry and that over long stem suddenly worked. It now feels like a super fast XC racer from the early 1990's.
The drivetrain is mostly XT so the DX mechs, shifters and levers will make way for more. There is also a NOS Tange Prestige handle bar on its way over from Germany. Just to make the front end complete.
I hope you like it, feel free to hurl the feces if you think I've ruined it!
before:
Suspect handling around Cannock identified and odd problem: the steerer was not symmetrical, the top and bottom faces were around 3 degrees out. Now, I'm no stranger to an angle grinder and using my calipers as a datum (they are the most precisely engineered flat surfaces I have) I set about with dremel and grinder.
Success! The slightly awkward feeling steering was replaced by super smooth turn to turn.
I suspect the constant wear from a too small headset top cup had been the cause. A Shimano 600 from the road spares drawer fitted perfectly and was a good tight fit.
The Tange Switchblades had arrived this morning. They wore their age with lots of surface rust and attacks on the bearing race with a screwdriver and a hammer. More dremel action, some very soft well used wire wool and an hour later, they came up in very good condition with little or no pitting to the legs.
More grinder and dremel action with the steerer as thankfully, the steerer was just about 4mm too long rather than the hair tearing out too small.
The ride was transformed. The original Columbus forks are around 10mm longer than the Tange and gave the frame a bit of an odd 'feel' over what I've been used and like. The shorter Tange, slightly altered geometry and that over long stem suddenly worked. It now feels like a super fast XC racer from the early 1990's.
The drivetrain is mostly XT so the DX mechs, shifters and levers will make way for more. There is also a NOS Tange Prestige handle bar on its way over from Germany. Just to make the front end complete.
I hope you like it, feel free to hurl the feces if you think I've ruined it!
before:
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being a dumbass i didn't realise you rode that at cannock! 
personally i prefer the look of the original fork but i agree with fitting the fork that works best!
looks nice though, seem to remember you saying the stem was too long for you?
personally i prefer the look of the original fork but i agree with fitting the fork that works best!looks nice though, seem to remember you saying the stem was too long for you?
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jonnyboy666":3521g8ji said:being a dumbass i didn't realise you rode that at cannock!
looks nice though, seem to remember you saying the stem was too long for you?
It ended up so muddy it could have been anything. The stem actually works now the steering is sorted and the fork change is easily reversed.
legrandefromage":3suiekzi said:jonnyboy666":3suiekzi said:being a dumbass i didn't realise you rode that at cannock!
looks nice though, seem to remember you saying the stem was too long for you?
It ended up so muddy it could have been anything. The stem actually works now the steering is sorted and the fork change is easily reversed.
I was hunting around afterwards to have a good gander at this but every bike looked the same by that point!
How does it ride compared to your Pioneer?
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I'll put the two together here, the Pioneer has a much higher BB so you almost have to hoist yourself up to stop your knees from bashing your ears.
The Quinn is more conventional in looks but climbs like a good MTB should
The Quinn is more conventional in looks but climbs like a good MTB should
legrandefromage":zwlziafu said:
Does the Quinn 'feel' more like a 90's bike that the Overbury's?
I ask as my Pioneer was built in 1990 but it doesn't feel too much different to ride than my 88' Stumpy that I rode on Saturday (appart from that I dont care if the Stumpy gets battered
).Both of my 88' Jamis feel (to me anyway) very much the 80's bikes that they are.
I suppose its all very subjective as different people fit different bikes
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Funny you mention Specialised as the Johnny Q rides very similar to a Stumpjumper I built up for Pickle, very similar characteristics. It climbs really well and is a fast ride. I look forward to riding it again on some twisty.
The Pioneer is different, it feels slower but as if it could handle bumps and far more technical stuff with ease.
Of course this is only my opinion and limited experience of them both.
The Pioneer is different, it feels slower but as if it could handle bumps and far more technical stuff with ease.
Of course this is only my opinion and limited experience of them both.
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I do really really really like the Tange, but from a purely aesthetic point of view the originals looked a perfect match to my eye. Not in the least bit important if it now rides more to your liking though!
