1993 MARIN Eldridge Grade - FINAL BUILD & FIRST RIDE PICS P3

[shaun]

Just dug out my old 1993 Marin brochure that I have owned for 20 years. I remember spending many hours looking at this back then with the delemer of only having Bear Valley money, but falling for the beautiful looking Pine Mountain with its shiny XT bits, purple parts and 24lb weight. In the end this piece of Marin marketing material made me get my credit card out and spend the extra for the Pine. As the bike was so good to ride, this was a decession that I never ever regretted.

 

[benbonty]

Thanks for the comment and interest benbonty. I love that fact that there is always something new to learn about retro bikes. When I bought my Pine 20 years ago, I beleived it to be XT equiped and thus have thought this type of canti brake to be an XT. So I've just dug out my original 1993 Marin brochure that I've had for 20 years and the spec is listed as XT brake levers with no mention of the canti brakes, a fact that I hadnt noticed before. But even though they are DX, I still think they look great!

They do look great mate and you'd have to be a complete bike geek (like me!) to tell the difference between the two to be honest. Good work with the project so far mate.

 

[shaun]

The reat mech will be this NOS M739 XT. For the purists out there, I know that if I was building a 'show' bike, this mech would be a couple of years too modern but this project is mainly about revisiting that special 'feel' my Pine first gave me when I first rode it 20 years ago. For that reason and the fact that this Marin is being built to be riden lots and enjoyed, I felt that an old half worn mech would not give the sharp instant shifts that I desire and remember. This build is all about getting that all important 'grin' factor when riding it hard above all else.

 

[shaun]

I have decided to use this 175mm XT 737 chainset with 22-32-42 rings. Its not NOS which would be nice, but its had very little use and is in very good condition. The centre caps are the original 20 year old plastic Shimano ones from my Pine Mountain that I kept from the wreckage. Including them on this build feels good.

 

[shaun]

Just got the wheels back from being built up. The mint little used Mavic 217 SUP's now have XT hubs and DT stainless double butted spokes. I have been using Tony, the owner of Surf 55 (a surf, bike and skate specialist shop) in King's Lynn, Norfolk for over 20 years for my cycling needs and wheel builds. He's done a fantastic job on these rims as usual even though he can't understand our love for old retro bike stuff over new. Front wheel weighs in at 762g which should help give this project the nice lively ride that I remember and help meet the 24.5lb weight (with pedals) that the Pine weighed in at back then (which was quite light for a mountain bike 20 years ago ).

 

[shaun]

As I want this project to feel exactly as my Marin did 20 years ago, I had to have Kool-Stop canti pads. I remember trying all sorts of pads, some squeeled on the Mavics, others were poor in the wet etc, but Kool-Stops ended up as my favorites back then. I found a new set in my parts bin that are years old, but have had problems finding a new matching set. In the end I found some in America for only $14 including UPS delivery. A week later they have arrived. It was so easy and quick, I will now not hesitate to buy such hard to get items from America again.

 

[dkdaz]

i got mine from wiggle. might be worth stocking up, while they have them.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kool-stop-eagle ... f-inserts/

 

[shaun]

Thanks for that info DKDAZ. Didn't try wiggle, but will be taking your advice and getting a few sets of the red ones before they run out.

 

[shaun]

Dkdaz, just noticed that you own a 1993 Marin Team Titanium. Any chance you could post a picture of it on here for us to drool over?

 

[shaun]

Freshly hand built Mavic 217's using XT hubs and DT stainless double butted spokes are now ready to be added now the red Hope Skewers have have arrived. Loving the look of the bright anodised red bits against the grey frame and polished Shimano bits - Marin sure had a very understated distinctive classy look back then. I have also got the 20 year old chrome Shimano Skewers from my old Marin that I nearly used, but I just can't resist good old red Hope ones.