So another Marin finds its way into my shed! I was on the lookout for another Zolatone model but this came up and it was just a few miles down the road and a good price so I though I'd give it a go. Its a 1992 Marin Bear Valley and when I got it it had broken right hand STI lever, tyres with little tread left, a dodgy seat, cheapo plastic pedals and generally in need of a good clean and some TLC.
I decided the first thing to go were the STI levers and shifters as I've never liked the look of them and the plastic brake levers were just naff! I found some DX STI's that were in a sorry cosmetic state but mechanically functioning well. And bit the bullet and thought I would try a DIY respray! (despite my last terrible efforts with a Marin stem!). Dismantled the units and got to work. The STI decal had long gone, but the SLR one still remained, the lever blades were pretty much silver. Much to my surprise they turned out really well, so I thought I would have a go at an old set of pedal cages I had too, and they look good too! (maybe I'm getting the hang of this spraying lark!) Next up I stripped all the cables and cleaned and replaced with the new STI units. Gave it all a good clean and polished the chrome bits and it turns out its in pretty good condition under the grime.
I didn't like the plasticy Exage canti's that came with it and raided the parts box where I knew I had some XT ones and stuck them on too. Stuck on a better saddle I had knocking about aswell.
I stuck the wheels from my Team Marin on there to get an idea of the amberwall/black rim combo, which if you know me is always a winner in my eyes! I've got some DX hubbed black Araya RM17's on the way destined for the Bear, but for the mean time I put the original Exage hubbed Araya VP20 and some Marin Lite tyres that I had knocking about. And thats how it stands at the moment. It has a 400LX front and rear mech which seem to work fine, and a 500LX crankset which is all ok too. Ideally I would like to change these bits for DX as and when I find some parts at a good price, but for now they function perfectly well.
I am still on the look out for a Zolatone frame that I may end up transferring all the parts from the Bear onto that as I do love the ol Zolatone! So if you have a 19" frame let me know!!!! I'm thinking of taking this, along with the Team to Mayhem in June as my 2nd ride...So if your going I'll see you there!
Wookiee (Doug)
I decided the first thing to go were the STI levers and shifters as I've never liked the look of them and the plastic brake levers were just naff! I found some DX STI's that were in a sorry cosmetic state but mechanically functioning well. And bit the bullet and thought I would try a DIY respray! (despite my last terrible efforts with a Marin stem!). Dismantled the units and got to work. The STI decal had long gone, but the SLR one still remained, the lever blades were pretty much silver. Much to my surprise they turned out really well, so I thought I would have a go at an old set of pedal cages I had too, and they look good too! (maybe I'm getting the hang of this spraying lark!) Next up I stripped all the cables and cleaned and replaced with the new STI units. Gave it all a good clean and polished the chrome bits and it turns out its in pretty good condition under the grime.
I didn't like the plasticy Exage canti's that came with it and raided the parts box where I knew I had some XT ones and stuck them on too. Stuck on a better saddle I had knocking about aswell.
I stuck the wheels from my Team Marin on there to get an idea of the amberwall/black rim combo, which if you know me is always a winner in my eyes! I've got some DX hubbed black Araya RM17's on the way destined for the Bear, but for the mean time I put the original Exage hubbed Araya VP20 and some Marin Lite tyres that I had knocking about. And thats how it stands at the moment. It has a 400LX front and rear mech which seem to work fine, and a 500LX crankset which is all ok too. Ideally I would like to change these bits for DX as and when I find some parts at a good price, but for now they function perfectly well.
I am still on the look out for a Zolatone frame that I may end up transferring all the parts from the Bear onto that as I do love the ol Zolatone! So if you have a 19" frame let me know!!!! I'm thinking of taking this, along with the Team to Mayhem in June as my 2nd ride...So if your going I'll see you there!
Wookiee (Doug)
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