Bontrager CX Fillet Brazed from late 80's (photo heavy)

[AtomicAtom]

I came across a Bontrager for sale in the local classifieds, it turned out to be something pretty amazing. I jumped at the very low price to buy this "commuter road bike". The seller thought they had a 10 year old bike. From my research I have found this to be around a 1987 (any further info is much appreciated) Bontrager CX. I have read that most of these bikes were custom built, perhaps even by K.B. himself. The photos were bad and the details limited but here is what I got.

Original CX frame and fork, very short Salsa stem, Deore XT seatpost and Velo Crossbow saddle. Practically everything else on this bike is a mismatch of odd parts. Alivio crank, LX rear der., XT front, old shimano rear canti and an XT v-brake on the front! The seller wasn't aware of this frames real age but it is a well used bike. It isn't a restoration show piece. This bike still begs to be ridden hard. One unfortunate issue is a small dent in the top tube. There is a serial # on the bottom of the bb shell that reads 5005. Any idea how to interpret it?

What should I do with it? The size is quite odd, a 58cm top tube, and a 53cm seat tube. Should I spend time and build it up? Or should I move it on to someone here who has always had a desire for this frame? In any case, it was a great find. I have brought it back into the fold of people who can appreciate this bike for what it is, the history that is in it.

I mean look at these welds!

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[Lid]

53 cm? Dibs!
The welds look better than any Bonty ones I have ever seen. Love the short Salsa stem.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

Atom!

This frame was built for me (5'9", 30" inseam, with a 6'3" wingspan)

I would love the frame and fork. I was eyeing a bonty cx on ebay for the last two weeks but the price was steep and the size questionable.

But seems to be a very cool find...any info on the fork?

 

[yo-Nate-y]

What a weird bird. That is pretty cool.

 

[Kentphil]

A nice find

 

[AtomicAtom]

All I know about the fork Rob, is that according to pictures of other frames it is the original steel fork of that particular era. That particular Golden Era.

And by the way I never said it WAS for sale. I merely asked if I SHOULD sell it. SO careful with getting your panties all in a bunch ladies.

 

[pete_mcc]

I'll put my name on the list if this ever comes up for sale!

The welds look to be unfiled/partly unfiled fillet brazed, really shows off the skill of the welder if he can make them that smooth without loads of filing!

 

[ferrus]

The welds look to be unfiled/partly unfiled fillet brazed, really shows off the skill of the welder if he can make them that smooth without loads of filing!

yeah, anyone can file a fillet smooth, but this demonstrates real craftsmanship.

What an interesting frame, I love it.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

All I know about the fork Rob, is that according to pictures of other frames it is the original steel fork of that particular era. That particular Golden Era.

And by the way I never said it WAS for sale. I merely asked if I SHOULD sell it. SO careful with getting your panties all in a bunch ladies.

haha...I've got no panties to bunch, but point taken



I remember reading that KB fillet brazed or partially some of his early cx frames. Also, they were built by him personally, to order, so this is probably a one-off...very cool, and even cooler that it was found here on the east coast