HuskyDinoBomber
BoTM Winner
I've got a 95 Bear Valley at my daughters place hundreds of miles from my home. I leave it there for her to use and I forgot how nice it looks. Such a great riding bike. This looks like it's going to turn out great.
Lurker finally attempts build thread on 1994 Marin Bear Valley..
- Thread starter enigma
- Start date
Its not a light bike, ive got rigid Kona's mostly now.. and my main ride has been a last of the steel Explosif with all the posh light bits, so this thing is noticably heavier, but it will be a decent reliable bike, for quite deliberately a slower pace, I can go for a quick fast ride whenever I like ive got those bikes, I am looking forward to getting this out and about.
But I always liked the chrome or nickel finish, all the bits on this suit the frame.
Once A Hero
Old School Grand Master
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Nice bike to be working with.
The stem looks to be a long way out of the steerer - is there a min insertion line marked on it?
The stem looks to be a long way out of the steerer - is there a min insertion line marked on it?
Hi
Yes indeed there is an insert dotted line, and as the elastomer is still supple and it’s hoped to make it comfy for riding all day… I’ve got it up as far as the marks suggest to help elevate the riding position.
I did a partial respray and laquer on the stem. Like everything else I build the entire bike then go round and tighten everything, it makes it easier when you realise you have to take stuff apart again for any reason…!
Good spot and Thankyou for asking , my dad rode it with the stem way above the insert line the whole time he had it..! No damage done but it’s a good thing he didn’t ride it too hard!?
Yes indeed there is an insert dotted line, and as the elastomer is still supple and it’s hoped to make it comfy for riding all day… I’ve got it up as far as the marks suggest to help elevate the riding position.
I did a partial respray and laquer on the stem. Like everything else I build the entire bike then go round and tighten everything, it makes it easier when you realise you have to take stuff apart again for any reason…!
Good spot and Thankyou for asking , my dad rode it with the stem way above the insert line the whole time he had it..! No damage done but it’s a good thing he didn’t ride it too hard!?
Little update, life gets in the way but I’ve cleaned, checked and rebuilt the front wheel, newly greased cleaned up etc.
Spent a while really checking the tyres they have no marks at all so I am going to use them. I’ve got two more retro sets of Marin tyres but these look fine and for longer adventures I already plan to carry a folding tyre…
The rear wheel cleaned up well, I’ve finally gotten organised today and ordered loose bearings to fix the headset and replace the wheel bearings in the back as I wasn’t happy with them.
I’ve made brackets out of scrap alloy to make the front rack work, and the front cateye bracket fit…
Not everyone will linke the dropout arrangement I suspect but with the security skewers I am happy, it means you need to pull the skewer all the way out to drop the wheel, so no danger of it coming out..! My bracket clears the little tips at the opening of the dropout, and sets the rack at a good height so it clears the cables nicely.
I am glad of this as the rear rack was a mile away and a fiver , and I spent ages researching to get a front one that looks matching..! Very sad but in good company here?
I finally found it and it was in the janurary sale!
But it’s designed for eyelets out front of the dropout.
I’ve got those lovely karrimor barely used panniers and I am praying to find a full set of matching or some back ones to match these.
If anyone happens upon this and has them lingering let me know.
I may try a wanted ad… I hate green but black, blue, purple all available when new.
These are proper karrimor from the bikes vintage.
Off topic I have a collection of period rucksacks from Karrimor because they are so nicely made, I’ve many of them so I will be patient and get panniers too!
Spent a while really checking the tyres they have no marks at all so I am going to use them. I’ve got two more retro sets of Marin tyres but these look fine and for longer adventures I already plan to carry a folding tyre…
The rear wheel cleaned up well, I’ve finally gotten organised today and ordered loose bearings to fix the headset and replace the wheel bearings in the back as I wasn’t happy with them.
I’ve made brackets out of scrap alloy to make the front rack work, and the front cateye bracket fit…
Not everyone will linke the dropout arrangement I suspect but with the security skewers I am happy, it means you need to pull the skewer all the way out to drop the wheel, so no danger of it coming out..! My bracket clears the little tips at the opening of the dropout, and sets the rack at a good height so it clears the cables nicely.
I am glad of this as the rear rack was a mile away and a fiver , and I spent ages researching to get a front one that looks matching..! Very sad but in good company here?
I finally found it and it was in the janurary sale!
But it’s designed for eyelets out front of the dropout.
I’ve got those lovely karrimor barely used panniers and I am praying to find a full set of matching or some back ones to match these.
If anyone happens upon this and has them lingering let me know.
I may try a wanted ad… I hate green but black, blue, purple all available when new.
These are proper karrimor from the bikes vintage.
Off topic I have a collection of period rucksacks from Karrimor because they are so nicely made, I’ve many of them so I will be patient and get panniers too!
