Today I nearly bought two specialized's.
There had been what looked like a nice 1995 S-works on ebay for a while. It needed a bit of work (removing v-brakes, modern ahead stem, forks etc) so I made a cheeky offer which was accepted.
But before I committed someone came along a paid the full asking price. :roll: Probably a lucky escape as I don't really have the budget or the parts to do it justice.
The second one was more successful. a rigid 1997/98 stumpjumper local to me offered on this forum by Bowser. I popped over this afternoon, agreed a price and now its on the stand awaiting fettling.
Its almost completely standard, so there isn't much to change. The chainset bolts and brake bolts/cables are a bit corroded as are the avid SD-1 levers. The front shifter has been replaced with modern lower spec one.
I'll replace the shifters and levers with XT M739/M740 ones that I have in the spares box, clean up the rust and maybe put some specialized nimbus tyres on so I can use it for commuting/shopping.
I had planned to stick a pannier rack on but didn't notice until I got home that it has lovely ritchey forged & cowled drop outs and they don't have pannier mounts. :roll:
No pictures yet but here is one from the advert:
There had been what looked like a nice 1995 S-works on ebay for a while. It needed a bit of work (removing v-brakes, modern ahead stem, forks etc) so I made a cheeky offer which was accepted.
But before I committed someone came along a paid the full asking price. :roll: Probably a lucky escape as I don't really have the budget or the parts to do it justice.
The second one was more successful. a rigid 1997/98 stumpjumper local to me offered on this forum by Bowser. I popped over this afternoon, agreed a price and now its on the stand awaiting fettling.
Its almost completely standard, so there isn't much to change. The chainset bolts and brake bolts/cables are a bit corroded as are the avid SD-1 levers. The front shifter has been replaced with modern lower spec one.
I'll replace the shifters and levers with XT M739/M740 ones that I have in the spares box, clean up the rust and maybe put some specialized nimbus tyres on so I can use it for commuting/shopping.
I had planned to stick a pannier rack on but didn't notice until I got home that it has lovely ritchey forged & cowled drop outs and they don't have pannier mounts. :roll:
No pictures yet but here is one from the advert: