A new project!

[Mr G]

Recently I found my Ballistic x ocet in my dads shed. She was my first propper bike that I built around 97-98 and I never had the heart to get rid of her. She took some stick and I loved her untill as times moved on and I had more money she was replaced by an Intense M1. She was used as a donor for parts and has been stripped down and rebuilt several times untill around 2004 when she went into storage. Now though I am seriously considering building her again and using her as my work bike and for going to the shops and general stuff. She is in good condition although needs polishing up to get the chromed finish gleeming. She currently has a set of '98 Marzocchi Z1 bomber drops offs fitted with a Ritchie pro logic headset which came off another bike. She still has LX and XT derailers fitted and an FSA crank which I willl remove and replace with another. I think that with time and effort this could be a really quirky XC bike that people will look at. I could do with some ideas on the build though to get the right retro theme. What spec and parts would you guys suggest. i have a decent stock of components which have accumulated over the years and no doubt can pick other things up off ebay and forums to get her done. I will try and post a blog of how things progress. Your input will be greatly appreciated. (Pictures to follow soon)
Thanks

 

[Anthony]

Wasn't the X-Ocet a full-suspension frame? I've got a 1998 Dave Hinde advert here and he sold them with an LX groupset for £895. I don't know if you got a fork for that, but even if you did it wouldn't exactly be a Z1!

I would have thought 97/98 LX kit was just about the right level for it. Believe it or not, there is just the odd Retrobike member here and there that is a tiny bit snobbish about brands like Ballistic. And LX, for that matter. But if it works, and especially as it has fantastic sentimental value for you, then ride it with pride.

If you want to upgrade it, I would guess the number one candidate would be the shock, which can't have been the most sophisticated, nor light. Number two would be hand-built wheels with db spokes. If it's a Z1-type of bike, then surely D521 ceramics would be an ideal upgrade.

 

[Steve Kish]

Dave Hinde

Off topic but Dave Hinde caught me for a minute in the RTTC National 25-mile Championship in 1985 - I feel better for sharing!!

 

[Mr G]

I used to spend a lot of money on bikes mate but I was just want something to ride to work on at the moment and especially for the summerwhich is a little bit differant and unusual. The Zaskar I have is all XT and XTR spec but its had a lot of use and abuse over the years. I have added some pics of it to show the state its in. It looks worse than it is as i havent got a lot of the dust of it. I was for ever stripping and building bikes as I have had loads of DH, trails and moutain bikes and was constantly buying and selling.

 

[kanerdog1x1]

ooh, i had one of those, a silver one too. not polished tho, they were laquered. they did them in red or blue also. the shock was ahead of its time too, fair amount of stiction, they call that 'pro-pedal' or some bollx nowadays, and charge you for it.

 

[Mr G]

It seems the pictures wont work?

 

[Mr G]

The frames were advertised for £399 but sold for nearer £300 if memory serves me correct. I have a few parts I was thinking of putting on it. I have a old raceface crankset and a more modern truvativ crank set, a set of M600 LX V brakes and levers, a set of XT levers, a set of HS33 hydraulics and levers (luminous green) several sets of shram and sachs shifters, some Deore XT rapid fires. I was just after a few ideas on componenets as I was thinking it might look nice with a short bloc stem and some wide Azonic bars. As for colours I am still not sure but maybe anodised red as thats what it had back in the day.

 

[Mr G]

The shock is Shock Works and measures 152mm i2i. Incidently would a Fox Vanilla shock be suitable or am I beeter at looking at an air shock as opposed to a coil?
I agree a set of Mavic D521 ceramic rism would be about right. What hubs would you go for? do you think it would be worth the money spent on Hope hubs or go for cheaper Shimano hubs?

 

[Mr G]

Been a busy boy today. Picked up a Marin Eldridge Grade which needs a bit of a clean up but its going to become my new commute as the Zaskar needs some serious attention. Also picked up a 98 XT crankset and a set of Club Roost Go faster bars for the Ballistic. Just paid for a Mavic 521 on XT hub for the rear and looking for a similar one for the front. I two minds whether to use a set of Magur HS33 or M600 Vs? Atleast I have something to keep me busy for a few night next week and on my half day

Possibly looking for a short rise or block stem now (maybe Tioga). The forks may be up for sale as I think it needs something more suitable?

 

[jonah]

Picked up a Marin Eldridge Grade....

Nice, just got a Marin project going myself.

Any pics?