1992 Orange Aluminium Elite help

[MRC94]

Hi all,

I'm not only new to this site, but also a total newbie to retro projects so bear with me if what I ask seems elementary - I've no doubt my questions are very amateurish.

I recently bought an Alu Elite from a member of this site, having lusted after any kind of Orange really, ever since owning my first "proper" MTB back in the day - if memory serves, it was an '90 or '91 Marin Palisades Trail that took me forever and a day working saturdays at Superdrug to save up for. Anyway, my question(s) is this:

I absolutely love the Orange and it's really in great nick, but I would like to upgrade some of the components. For example it is currently a grip shift and I'd much rather switch to rapidfire or similiar. My problem is that when I try and source parts here, I have no idea what will fit my bike and what won't. Lots of the XTR and XT bits seem to come with M numbers,for example, so how do I go about finding out what is right for the Alu Elite?

Other things I'd like to do include new brake pads and to sort out the gearing - is there a manual of some sort where I can find out all this info?

Essentially, I see lots of shiny kit on here that I think would be great, including seatposts etc, but I have no idea whether things are compatible with my bike.

Any tips or pointers in the right direction would be brilliant.

Thanks very much,

Simon

 

[feetabix]

Hi Simon......welcome to retrobike.....I competed on an elite from 92 to 95.....great bike, you will love it.....the numbers you need are headset and seatpost diameters, other than that, all the kit you look at will fit....1 1/4 headset and 27.2 seatpost.....(is that right brockers?)....enjoy those chunky welds!....

 

[GT-Steve]

Definitely 1-1/4" headset. (Evolution size)

And I'm pretty sure 27.2 post as well.

 

[MRC94]

Brilliant, thanks guys. What do the shimano M numbers actually mean then - are they some sort of age indicator, as in model year?

Is there any particular bike maintenance/diy "bible" that people use, I'd love to get to the point where I'm competent enough to do most things for myself.

I'll try and get some pics of the Elite up if anybody is interested - it already has a fair few custom bits on, I don't know if anybody is bothered to see it, but I think it is a thing of beauty! I guess that way people could make recommendations for upgrades too.

PS Awesome stable of bikes you have there feetabix...

 

[feetabix]

Each evolvement of a group set gets a new number....730/737 xt will suit the orange nicely.....don't be a slave to history though, go your own way and just enjoy your riding!.....thanks for the comments re my stable, stick around and you too will forsake your sanity and family for old bikes!.... ....we are a great bunch, all the knowledge and advice you will ever need sits right here....

 

[matthew71]

shimano

Each evolvement of a group set gets a new number....730/737 xt will suit the orange nicely.....don't be a slave to history though, go your own way and just enjoy your riding!.....thanks for the comments re my stable, stick around and you too will forsake your sanity and family for old bikes!.... ....we are a great bunch, all the knowledge and advice you will ever need sits right here....

good god man ,get a room you two

 

[brocklanders023]

Check out my Elite build thread for the stats because boy"O"boy posted them up. Think the seatpost's 30.6, it's defo not 27.2.

Groupset wise I'd go for M900 XTR, M732/5 XT or any of the DX.

 

[MRC94]

Thanks so much for all advice so far everyone. Problem is, the more time I spend looking at stuff on here, the more I can see imminent financial hardship heading my way.

Brock - is your xt front mech still for sale? I'll take that for starters if that's OK - Current rear mech is xt, but front is suntour so I'd like to match them up.

Cheers

 

[Carge]

A useful guide to what Shimano did when can be found on Mombat
http://mombat.org/Shimano.htm

I use it fairly often

 

[feetabix]

Yep.....your downfall starts here!....I bow to brocko on anything fruit flavoured..... :cry: