New Rock Lobster Project

So picked this up yesterday, can't decide what to do so thoughts guys....

Do I go full strip, paint and rebuild or just new cables, fork service and ride?

Paint in very good condition and all parts seem clean and tidy, just needs a grease and tune.

Or....

Full on rebuild?

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Well... Sat down and looked at the bike for a while and the paint was in such good condition I've left it as it is.

Stripped it right down yesterday, cleaned and regreased everything and rebuilt.

Upgraded the brakes to some lovely Juicy Carbons I had floating around as well as a slightly longer stem.

Not sure about the forks though, think they'll be changed soon for the Fox ones off my GT full sus.

Anyway, I'm quite happy with it, just been on a small 5 mile ride to dial it all in and it's running as new, very happy purchase to match his twin, the 853, see last pic.

Only thing I really want is a nice black rear wheel to match, hopefully sort this week.

Spec :

Rock Lobster Tig Team SL frame
Magura Laurin Forks
LX Chainset
LX Shifters
LX Front Derailleur
XT Rear Derailleur
Mavic 717 on XT Hubs
Schwalbe Rapid Rob Tyres
Avid Juicy Carbon brakes

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Picked up a nice black rim with an XT Hub today, forks change next

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paint looks good wouldn't touch it.

I'd go black grips personally but looks really good.

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I was thinking black grips initially but it just looked quite plain. Might even go yellow pedals too

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Yep, nice that! A fine looking pair.

How does the ride compare between each of them? I've had one of the 853 frames a while back but never tried the Aluminium versions.

Agree that looks pretty fresh as it is! I would be tempted to have tried red grips myself, to go with the accents on the rims, saddle, Easton decal etc. That might just be me though. Enjoy

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I find the 853 ride slightly more flexible, the aluminium for some reason seems more rigid.

I run tyre pressure at around 40-45 psi for tarmac and light gravel but find I've had to drop the pressure in the aluminium to allow for stiffness.

Crazy, I thought it would have been the other way around

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Forks changed out on the weekend, the Fox Vanilla R suit the bike so much more that the Magura.

I may need a slightly stiffer spring though as lock down has taken it's toll.

Fitting the brakes took a lot of fettling though changing discs, mounts etc, all good fun though and deffo worth it.