Marin Eldridge Grade 1994

simcfarlane

Geoff Capes
I've had a thing about Marin for a long time. Maybe it's the posters overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge... or the evocative names based on the trails.

My everyday bike is a 96 Pine Mountain - with mudguards, drops and bar end shifters. I've owned a few Palisades Trail, Muirwoods, Bear Valley SE.

I was speaking to some friends at the local Dr Bike and they told me someone had donated a 94 Eldridge Grade to them. They often tidy up bikes and sell them to raise funds. This was a bit beyond tidying up for them. Frozen headset, lots of algae, nasty set of gear leavers and rusted wheels. I do love a challenge though.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240602_190439.jpg
    IMG_20240602_190439.jpg
    660.3 KB · Views: 27
  • IMG_20240602_190455.jpg
    IMG_20240602_190455.jpg
    434.2 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_20240602_190534.jpg
    IMG_20240602_190534.jpg
    629.2 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_20240602_190558.jpg
    IMG_20240602_190558.jpg
    406.5 KB · Views: 19
  • IMG_20240602_190615.jpg
    IMG_20240602_190615.jpg
    798.3 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_20240602_190652.jpg
    IMG_20240602_190652.jpg
    551.8 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_20240602_191140.jpg
    IMG_20240602_191140.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 28
Last edited:
First thing was to remove the rust and replace the headset. I didn't want to completely strip the frame as it was in pretty solid condition.

Got a replacement headset from Tootyred and a middle chainring from KermitGKona88 (original was starting to disintergrate!). Paint was from Halfords - I think it was a 90s Lexus Champagne. I also picked up a cherry red which seemed pretty close.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240702_092139.jpg
    IMG_20240702_092139.jpg
    374.3 KB · Views: 11
  • IMG_20240702_092245.jpg
    IMG_20240702_092245.jpg
    795.9 KB · Views: 12
Derailleur’s looked terrible - but actually cleaned up pretty well.

I normally coat cleaned chrome in Owatrol Marine Oil. Seems to help here... I'm right next to the sea.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240602_190534.jpg
    IMG_20240602_190534.jpg
    624 KB · Views: 15
  • IMG_20240714_220815.jpg
    IMG_20240714_220815.jpg
    984.4 KB · Views: 15
  • IMG_20240714_220830.jpg
    IMG_20240714_220830.jpg
    610.5 KB · Views: 15
The new decals arrived from Retrodecals. I dug out a couple of Marin Lite bottle cages and painted to match - was starting to come together.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240725_161123.jpg
    IMG_20240725_161123.jpg
    846.3 KB · Views: 7
  • IMG_20240725_161217.jpg
    IMG_20240725_161217.jpg
    850 KB · Views: 7
  • IMG_20240725_161236.jpg
    IMG_20240725_161236.jpg
    832.7 KB · Views: 7
  • IMG_20240725_161259.jpg
    IMG_20240725_161259.jpg
    399.6 KB · Views: 7
Growler79 really kindly gave me an 94 Marin Lite saddle with the red rails.

It had quite a big rip and some small holes. I've tried repairing a few saddles now and I'm getting better at it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240725_202353.jpg
    IMG_20240725_202353.jpg
    332.5 KB · Views: 14
  • IMG_20240725_203158.jpg
    IMG_20240725_203158.jpg
    476.1 KB · Views: 14
  • IMG_20240725_203837.jpg
    IMG_20240725_203837.jpg
    192.9 KB · Views: 16
  • IMG_20240725_205546.jpg
    IMG_20240725_205546.jpg
    360 KB · Views: 12
  • IMG_20240725_220235.jpg
    IMG_20240725_220235.jpg
    264.5 KB · Views: 12
Last edited:
I managed to find wheels from a donor bike... love the red spoke nipples. They even had a really nice pair of Marin Lite tyres.

Only taken out for a short ride - but is great. Really light and responsive. Looking forward to many more longer rides.

I think it probably owes me about £100!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240820_104505.jpg
    IMG_20240820_104505.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 25
  • IMG_20240820_104513.jpg
    IMG_20240820_104513.jpg
    655 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_20240820_104528.jpg
    IMG_20240820_104528.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 24
  • IMG_20240820_104540.jpg
    IMG_20240820_104540.jpg
    753.8 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_20240820_104601.jpg
    IMG_20240820_104601.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 24
Last edited:
I managed to find wheels from a donor bike... love the red spoke nipples. They even had a really nice pair of Marin Lite tyres.

Only taken out for a short ride - but is great. Really light and responsive. Looking forward to many more longer rides.

I think it probably owes me about £100!
Really decent mate!! A new lease of life!! Was the donor bike that one in Portslade? Again, well done!!
 
Really decent mate!! A new lease of life!! Was the donor bike that one in Portslade? Again, well done!!
Cheers - and thanks again for the saddle, really looks the part - but like you said... pretty uncomfortable!

Ended up getting a different donor bike. The one I found had lots of great parts (apart from the saddle)... but someone had painted the frame a nasty black and covered in cheap gold Marin stickers.

It's now been turned into a college commuter for my eldest.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240826_171218.jpg
    IMG_20240826_171218.jpg
    884.3 KB · Views: 6
Back
Top