Last summer I rebuilt my '99 Obed to race the Grand Raid Cristalp in the Swiss Alps, which I had done for the first time ten years before with the very same bike. Well the frame at least, but I aimed to build as close to the original as I could with the parts I had on hand.

Here's what it looked like in August 1999 (next to my mate's 98 Zaskar LE):



And August 2009:



I had a great race with no mechanical issues whatsoever (except the rear Crossmax rim packing up before the race, forcing me to borrow a heavy replacement). The flimsy Sids were a handful though, especially on the crazy 10km last downhill. I could have done with a lockout too, and discs.

So for this year I decided to keep the same bike, since it's the best handling frame I've owned, but to rebuild it with modern parts I had on my full-susser. I have to say it doesn't look half as good as with the retro parts (I've kept a few though), but it's what it takes if I want to stand a chance to beat last year's time of 7h29.

I had the travel of the forks reduced from the original 100mm to 80, I haven't ridden the bike yet (cables missing as you can see), but will have by tomorrow. I hope the handling isn't affected too much. Despite the added weight from the forks and front disc, overall the weight is pretty much the same, with lighter wheels and groupset. I will probably fit a Ritchey carbon post I have, and maybe (sacrilege) replace the Ringlé stem to save some 90gm, if I can find a suitable 25.4mm stem (Rotor seems hard to find ..).



Frame: Litespeed Obed 16.5 1999
Bottle cage: King ti

Fork: Fox RL 80 2008

Headset: new King sotto voce
Stem: Ringlé Zooka 105mm
Handlebar: Easton Monkeylite
Grips: Ergon race
Barends: Post Moderne

Brakes: XTR (front disc M970 / rear VM950)
Brake Levers: XTR

Shifters: XTR M970
Front Derailleur: XTR M970
Rear Derailleur: XTR M970 Shadow
Cassette: XTR M970 12/32
Chain: KMC
Cranks: XTR M970 170mm
Bottom Bracket: XTR M970
Pedals: XTR

Hub Skewers: Tune
Rims: Stans 355
Hubs: XTR M970
Nipples: DT alloy
Spokes: DT
Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic / Racing Ralph ~ Conti Race King SS

Saddle: Flite Evo 3 - bit battered, needs some gluing ..
Seatpost: Syncros ti 27.2
Seatpost binder: Hope

Weight: +/- 9.5kg

That is sweet!! Interested in selling that Syncros post? That would look great on my '99 Unicoi

I might sell one of the two I have, but not before I've got around to replacing the part which thread rounded on the other one (older style with different clamp). Should be hard to find .. I also have 250mm one for which I just need to get a new bolt, will prob sell that one.

looking good , have you sold the Yeti then ?

Niiiiiiice!

No it's partially rebuilt with the swapped parts and another Fox 100mm I had. I've also just finished reviving the Sunn Dix as a commuter - rigid forks, 9 gears, Crossmax, few purple and blue bits, ti saddle post and bars .. what I had on hand. Pics when there is light

Very nice, also liking the Pug 205 GTI

I find that stunning at every stage of it's evolution

Got to get me a litespeed at some point....

why dos the chain run on the out side of the front mech?

(stunning build)

It's one of the new fangled Shimano 'ghost' front mechs.

Also loving every incarnation of the builds.

And the Litespeeds keep getting better with age! I own a 1998 Litespeed Tellico I am going to be building soon and will be sure to post a thread for all to see. Are those Easton Mnky-Lite bars carbon fibre? That is one very stunning mountainbike in every stage of development, by the way, I almost wish mine had forks like those.