Well, just over a year and build thread number two already, a good sign surely!?

So this time its a retromod build. The Kona recently got split out to fund this (I can only justify one bike, unlike you greedy lot!) but I like the older frame geometry with the luxury of modern parts. So, after hours of deliberation that I managed to condense into about 6 and a half minutes staring at the computer screen, I bought Orange71's Saracen Kili Comp frame of 1997 vintage. Alas, I have no photos from when I first received the frame, but it wasnt long before I had decided to go for a full retromod build. Soon after the frame was acquired, I bought a lovely set of Rock Shox Reba RL forks for an excellent price.



Then, a quick mock up to get an idea as to how it would look and what kind of direction leapt out at me from them.



Not sure about anyone else, but black and red stood out to me. A lot. Really liked the idea of it too. So, the long slog to get the parts began, while also buying trinkets and bits for the Lava Dome at the time.

As for the rest of it - combine not wanting to ramble on loads with lazyness and its the ideal combo of letting the picture speak the proverbial 1000 words. The purists wont like the modern hanging off it, but after the first ride it went like a dream and wheelies like a beast!

The pictures arent the 100% complete process, but they are pretty bloody close!

Enjoy



















































So there we are. I want to swap out the saddle for a Selle Italia SL really. Other than that, I am very happy with her. If I was going to be really picky, I would prefer the frame to be about an inch or two smaller, but I can still ride it just fine.

Feel free to flame/praise accordingly

HOw does it ride with the forks? Looks good and doest look too front high, but wondered if it was a bit sketchy as the axkle crown will be a bit longer? Are the reba's set at 100mm travel?

I like the modern bits, no problem with that at all. Looks good. Frame is the main thing.

If you have a pair of nice disc hubs you not interested in brazing an adaptor onto the rear so you can go full discs? I know some would hate that but I think it would be ace.

I'm another who doesn't mind the new old mix, and I think a rear disc would look good too.
I can understand not wanting to adapt such a nice frame in that way though.

Cheers chaps.

It rides really well with the Rebas up front. steering is nice and tight with the 90mm stem. They dont have a travel adjust option that I know of and are 100mm travel. by the time the sag has taken up around 15-20mm travel, its sits just so.

I cant really justify the frame mod at the moment to run a disc at the back and, to be honest, the Avid SD5 brake does an awesome job so a disc mod is a project for later down the line. I have a friend of mine keeps showing me the On-One frames to tempt me to go full modern and use the rear disc hub properly, the bugger!

It will be at the Surrey Hills national ride for its first proper blast, will need to get the wheels nipped up before then though once its all settled in a bit.

Looks super and very quick, I like a modernised old frame. Good build.

Well if you go modern with an on-one give me a shout. Love these 1997 kili's.

Take it you have seen the test vs Kona Kileau in the archive section? Its a good read.

Cheers Superstu.

No I hadnt seen the review, Coomber, but I will check it out at some point

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/u ... 3.jpg.html

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/u ... 4.jpg.html

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/u ... ewsIndex=1

Interesting read indeed! Thanks for the links

Nice build.

Nowt wrong with modern parts on a rider IMHO. What are those pedals like? Look a bit freaky.

very nice indeed

Brilliant! Love it!

The pedals are ok really, however they would suit someone with slightly smaller feet than mine - at normally a size 12/13, I tend to rub against the red quick release on them and hang a teeny bit off the side, but not to bad other than that.

Do want to change the saddle to something a bit more sleek though.

I like this alot, my ideal build and the frame I'm looking for!

Looks fun

looking very nice. looks to be the exact same frame as my one but bigger.