Christian's Orange Alu Elite retro re-build complete

[christiankay]

Good idea dude

Good idea dude - I'll experiment. Could even flip the stem ...

 

[Anthony]

I think it looks good, but a 100mm fork is a lot for a frame designed for a 39cm rigid.

Say the fork is 47.5cm a-c, or 44.5 sagged, that means you've reduced the head angle by 5 degrees static and 3 degrees sagged. That's quite a lot. Some folks like that kind of handling, but I'd be in for a much shorter stem to liven it up. Or you could increase the sweep of the bars, which has the same effect on handling as reducing stem length.

 

[christiankay]

Thanks A

Thanks for your suggestions Anthony, I've just booked her in to a friends cycle shop for travel reduction. They're gonna drop her 10mm using the Rock Shox supplied spacers and then run the suspension at a different pressure (sag?) to reduce her some more - hopefully getting the '92 geometry at the front a little nearer the ground. It originally had Pace RC35 suspension forks but I never knew what travel they were?

 

[Anthony]

http://www.goatsurfer.com/pace_forks.html

Nominally 45mm, but even that would be changing the geometry a little. But then they initially had a really long stem as well. Nothing wrong with longer forks IMO, provided the stem/bar reach is shorter to match.

 

[christiankay]

Specification

Frame: Orange Alu Elite
Material: Aluminium
Size: 17"
Colour: Anodised Gold
Year: 1992
Chassis: No. 27

Fork: Rock Shox Reba SL Pop-Lock 1 1/8
Headset: FSA Orbit MX 1 1/8 with Wheels Mfg. 1 1/4 reducer shims
Stem: Ritchey Pro O/S 90mm
Handlebar: Ritchey Pro 31.8 O/S
Grips: Token Gel Lock-on

Front Brake: Shimano Deore XT M775 Disc 180mm
Rear Brake: Shimano Deore XT M770 V-brake
Brake Pads: Shimano Deore XT
Brake Levers: Shimano Deore XT M770 2-finger

Shifters: Shimano Deore XT M770 9spd/3spd
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT M771
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT M772 Shadow
Cassette: Shimano Deore XT M770 9spd
Chain: Shimano Deore XT/Ultegra
Cranks: Shimano Deore M590 2-piece
Chainrings: Shimano 26t, 36t and Gamut P40 bashguard
Chainring bolts: KCNC Gold
Bottom Bracket: Wheels Mfg. USA Stainless Steel
Pedals: Wellgo Ti axle Black

Hub Skewers: Hope QR
Wheels: Mavic Crossride
Tyres: Continental Speed King 2.3
Tubes: Continental MTB Presta

Saddle: SDG Bel Air RL
Seatpost: Ritchey Pro 31.4mm
Seatpost Binder: Hope QR

 

[brocklanders023]

Didn't realise yours was gold. Looks silver on my 'puter In that case check out jonnyboys thread as his is the same.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... ange+elite

 

[christiankay]

Great link

Great link - thanks Anthony

http://www.goatsurfer.com/index.html

 

[christiankay]

Thoughts ...

Thanks for this link Brocklanders

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... ange+elite

After seeing this vintage re-build I'm questioning my own retro build using modern parts.

Do I strip her and find period parts for keepsakes or enjoy her as the retro hybrid she's become that's ready to race against all the moderns?

 

[brocklanders023]

Put retro parts on and still race the moderns!

 

[christiankay]

Did try ...

Did try against moderns but the old gearing and skinny skin wall tyres just wearn't up to the local trails against my friends. XTR cantilevers were pretty crap too ... I'm happy with her for now.