Crosstrac Sonoma

[Mr. Zero]

I'm not sure of the exact year of this bike, but it's probably '95ish considering the OEM Fox Alps 4R rear shock, improved fork valving and narrower seat mast of later model years. I didn't want this one to end up sitting on the shelf too long waiting for that perfect build, so I didn't go balls-out on the spec, although it did come together respectably well and far lighter than expected for this particular frame.

Frame: Crosstrac Sonoma (~1995)

Fork: Crosstrac Sonoma

Headset: Dia-Compe USA Aheadset 1.25"
Stem: Control Tech
Handlebar: Interloc Shotblast
Grips: Yeti Seed Grips
Barends: NA

Brakes: Avid Single Digit 7 front / Avid Shorty 6 rear
Brake Pads: Avid RW2 f/r
Brake Cables: Avid Straight Jackets
Cantilever cable hangers: Generic Avid Tridangle replica
Brake Levers: Real X-Levers

Shifters: Shimano Deore LX Rapidfire 8-spd
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT M-737
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT M-739
Derailleur Cables: Avid Straight Jackets
Cassette: Real Racing CNC 12-32
Chain: Shimano HG
Cranks: Race Face Turbine LP
Crank Bolts: Shimano
Chainrings: QBP Pro SSP 22-32-44
Chainring bolts: Shimano Alloy outer / Shimano steel inner
Bottom Bracket: World Class Ti 113mm
Pedals: Bontrager RE-1

Hub Skewers: Generic Steel bolt / Alloy nuts non-QR
Rims: Velocity Synergy 32h
Hubs: Shimano HB-6400 f/r
Nipples: Generic Alloy
Spokes: Sapim DB
Tyres: Hutchinson Python New Generation Air Light K F/R
Tubes: Blackburn 1.25-1.5 presta

Saddle: Sette Lynx
Seatpost: Crosstrac Sonoma
Seatpost Binder: Crosstrac Sonoma

Weight: 25.3lbs.

 

[cchris2lou]

This is nice , like a San Andreas , but thinner .

Gorgeous .

 

[mrkawasaki]

Local Knowledge (building)

Faifax Pat might be able to summon up a bit of history here - as the Valley of the Moon is but 30 minutes away from his house... ;-)

Mr K

 

[Joe]

gorgeous looking bike!

How do those forks perform?

 

[slimjoe]

Awesome..

Superb! Just been reading an MBA from 94 testing this very bike..It rated high on their scales

 

[ridevintagemtb]

Another solid build Zero... you've been on a full suspension kick eh?

 

[Mr. Zero]

Thanks all around. Any additional info, literature, etc. anyone might have on this bike would be greatly appreciated. At the moment all I've been able to dig up are the 2 MBA reviews from '93 and '94. Did my best to contact one of the original designers, but to no avail.

So far, from the little bit of playing I've had the opportunity to do on this bike, the front and rear suspensions feel pretty plush. The front fork performs well, but needs to be switched to a lower viscosity oil (currently running 5W). Apparently the '93 model was under-damped and the little bit of talk I came across on the web suggested running a higher viscosity oil. Well, as mentioned in later reviews the damping issue was corrected in later model years, so 5W causes the rebound to be a hair on the slow side.

Yeah, aside from the fact that I've managed to gather most of the hardtails I've had my eye out for over the years, the fact is that it's really hard to justify adding more hardtails to the stable when I can't expect them to, in terms of ride quality, stand out that significantly from the rest. Don't get me wrong; I never stop appreciating the subtle differences between them, but it makes no sense to keep adding to the pack (this is what I tell myself anyway :roll: ).

The early to mid '90s saw a lot of full suspension innovation that also worked pretty well, so I've now been indulging in collecting examples of a few of those designs that really seemed to stand out in one way or another. The next 2 in line to be built are my Salsa El Kaboing and Mantis Pro Floater (which has been hanging in the shop for far too long now).

 

[FairfaxPat]

Sonoma Crosstrac

That looks like a 1994 model-it is the Ultra version that cost $2200 for the frame and fork. The basic model wasn't painted-this one is powdercoated and also came with a Ti BB for the additional $500. With 4 inches of travel and a seat post tube that you can adjust thru 15 degrees of angle it was a very radical and expensive bike for it's day!

 

[kingroon]

Been waiting to see this one Mr Zero, nice build

Please could you scan & post the MBA tests?

 

[orange71]

wow - not often you see a bike you've never seen before...love it.