On its (borrowed) wheels, the start of my nostalgia project - back in 1991 I had a Zolatone Bear Valley, and I loved it, but it was a little bland, and what I really wanted was an Eldridge Grade or Pine Mountain, with their fat tubes and neon parts they just screamed Norcal-cool to my uneducated eyes.
And what I really really wanted was an EG or PM with a Girvin Flexstem, grey-anodized rims and a full DX group (I came from BMX, so DX just seemed cooler than XT to me back then).
The years passed and I was corrupted by bling and the desire for a sub 25lb bike, I did own at least 2 Eldridge Grades, one of them a pale grey Zolatone with full DX, though never a Pine, and never a Flexstem. Nearly two decades later I decided that I would set things straight.
Fortunately nearly 50% of people don't think Marins are cool - go figure. Probably because of this I was able to pick up a fairly funky 1990 EG frame/fork for very little $$$ (shipping and duty was more than price of frame).
I already had a 140mm Flexstem and have been picking up DX bits here and there, and that's where I am now. And you know what, even with a sub 22lb titanium bike and my $3000+ full sus non-retro in the same room, I get a real kick out of looking at this bike - it reminds me of how much fun MTBing was before I became a snob. can't wait to ride it!
Still not sure about that seat - no spare Flites at the moment though........
Paint matched bars are heavy as hell, but too cool not to use - have to keep reminding myself this build is not about weight!
Finally a picture of my 'mancave' - it's secret subterranean location known to only one other RB member - it's all good fun until you have to find something.......