Hello all. Just about finished the refurb of my 5 so thought I'd post it up. Story goes that after replacing the original Fox 36 forks (Stantion wear ) with some RS Revs that had to go back (Merlin ) and the groupo having issues I decided to sell it all and replace with an ex-demo from Orange. Started selling off parts but then spent too much of the bike fund on women and beer so had to have a re-think as I couldn't afford the new bike! Decided to re-build this one as I was missing out on rides.

New parts include a 10sp SLX/XT groupo, DT Swiss forks, saddle, post (Cheapy for now, will replace with a Thomson), decal set (2011/12), grips and a few Hope goodies.

I wanted a bike that looked and worked like new so I'm happy how it's turned out. Was planning on getting a re-spray in neon orange but the red frame works with the forks imo so not going to bother. I had to sell loads of my retro gear to fund this but I ride my 5 far more then anything else so I think it was worth it (Although very painful, Clockwork... Sob).

Can't understand why more people don't run DT Swiss forks. Feel better then the Floats, Talas or Revs I've had so far and don't need to be serviced anywhere near as much. I think they're prrrudy too, check out the brushed metal brace

Im not jealous no not one bit, but I do hate you
Very nice bit of kit.

Cheers!

Here's how it looked when I got it and after I'd added the parts from my old bike (too much red originally and don't like Sram). Prefer the new clothes

your not making me like you anymore you know

Top job pal.

Looks far better with the DT Swiss forks and those stickers look ace (better than the crappy pic you sent me this aft )
Now all we have to do is sort out a ride.

One of the nicest FS bikes I've seen on here to date.

Good, no-nonsense kit and it looks nice too.

nice i luv this. one of the boys at work has one, he raves about how ggod it is.

Do you still have this Edd?

Hi Stu.This is a bit of a blast from the past! Yep, still got it and it's the only bike I ride now really. Added a new Thomsons seat post, a blue Hope seat qr, different tyres that I don't really like and swapped the wheels for the same but in better condition and with silver spokes. ever lets me down

Considering some wider bars atm but am holding off doing too much as I'm tempted to have a go on Orange's new 140mm 29er when it comes out so don't really want to spend too much on this.

Appreciate I was digging up an old thread, but was just curious to see if it was still around. Long-termers are great, you get to evelove them. Personally that's why I wouldn't necesarily build an all-original retrobike as there's always something from stock that you want to change. Anyway, I digress...

What tyres don't you like out of interest?

Not sure what to think of 29ers generally, or the orange. Thought the new clockwork was one of the ugliest bikes i'd ever seen, but found a thread on singletrack of someone's and it looked awesome.

Agree on the 29er Clockwork. I was dead against it but have seen a few and it actually looks very nice. Just a shame about the name. I also didn't see the point of 29ers but having had a go on my mate's new one that's about my size I can understand the difference.

Have been thinking about changing the 5 for a newer one, basically because I'm a tart, but the cost has held me back. Really fancy having a proper demo on the upcoming 5 29er that Orange are testing atm as that should make my mind up.

That's why I'm holding back on doing anything else to my 5. As I said, I fancy some wider bars and would like to get the rear shock serviced and tuned. Saying all that, after the overhaul it had above it doesn't really 'need' anything else for the time being.

As for the tyres, they're Bontrager XR4 Team Issue. They came on the wheels I recently got from my mate and were in better nick then the Kenda's I had so thought I'd give them a go. They're ok overall but drag like hell going uphill so for no other reason then that they need to go!

Theres a matching dtswiss rear shock on ebay at the mo with remote lockout- new BIN £175.

That's a nice looking bike, it does look better in the later pics. Amazingly I have some original Talas forks (although the crappy Talas system has been replaced by Vanilla ones) and they're on the original stanchions and lowers. They are well overdue a service though.

DT forks were all the rage a while ago but seem to have fallen out of favour because they don't do a big, hard hitting fork like a 36 or a Lyric.

I guess swapping it for a newer Five wouldn't see a big change as they've evolved slowly, so the 29er may be a better bet.

I was pretty anti 29ers at first because I thought they looked silly, no one made tyres or forks etc but the new ones genuinely look great.