Mod retro conversion....the ultimate 80s trackie.

[Tootyred]

Its cured pretty much, its been hanging each day out in the sun, so thats helped.

Ive now cut the clear back a touch with some well soaked 2000g wet and dry, then a good polish.

Job dones

 

[Tootyred]

Now on with the build.

After a bit of thread chasing and head tube cleaning...head set goes in.

Sorry about the headset tool, but its done almost 40 years with no real issues

 

[Tootyred]

As said, its going to be "mod retro" build....so what's more retro than a bit of xtr m900.

Plus, it was in the shed...which was another reason for the build...use up some parts just sat there doing nothing.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Frames been sat filled with rust remover and tipped out.....now all nice and clean. New Post now moves freely too.

Which product did you use?

 

[Tootyred]

The easiest to use is evaporust. I bought 5l years ago. You dont need much amd you can keep using over again. I just have a jam jar on the bench for small parts. Very handy.

Ive also made my own too. Pretty easy with white vinegar, baking powder and citric acid.

 

[Tootyred]

I've also looked at brakes. I was going to use a set of m735 cantilevers...then i found most of the parts of some xtr m900....oooh...I thought.

However, i dont have a full set of springs, im missing a pair....arse.

Then oddly having started putting a few bits on as a "try out" I realised that the low profile xtr m900/ m735 looked a bit lost on the frame. And ....they still stick out a fair way as the frame is pretty narrow spacing.

So i dug out some m730....1986 real old skool wide arm....hell yes! If your going to do retro...lets do retro.

Plus, unexpectedly the m730 inc bolts are actually lighter than the xtr, which are in turn lighter than the xt. So much for progress!

 

[Tootyred]

I was going 9 speed....was.....I pulled out an xt m772 mech and a xt 770, put then on.....then started to gave my doubts.

Somewhere along the line shimano lost its retro cool....it all want a bit spray tan, spray silver, fur coat and no knickers imho. Wheres the class, the polish, the solidity....?

I think it was 1996 ish.....

Whilst eminently practical and functional (up till it just became a race for obsolescence and profit making out of poorly engineered rubbish), the later stuff just leaves me kinda cold. So maybe a rethink.....hummmm.

 

[Tootyred]

However, i have put some wheels in shod with wtb nanos (amberwall obvs). Managed to get a 40c in the rear...but theres very little room....but clearance is clearance...and it has some.!

The wheels are my winter wheels of an old specialized....rubbish in theory, but actually quite lite, strong and have been doing great service since 2007. I might use some bits up off the wall to build a new lighter set later.....its not a weight weenie bike, but i also cant see the point in needlessly heavy either...especially with rotating weight.

Hey! Maybe this is the chance i need to try tubeless!

 

[winjohn]

Here we are I am just waiting for some new pads and bar tape and its done. My first 1X build. It's a Sram Apex 1x11 hydro disc groupset (also my first SRAM build).
It has boost wheels shod with 35c Conto CXs but I may try some 40c Ritchy Speedmax Cross tyres since there seems plenty of room. Excited to try it. Can't wait to see yours complete.

 

[Tootyred]

I have a great belief that bike projects should be allowed to gain their own critical mass.

Once they have that, parts are naturally pulled towards the bike.

What you should end yo with is a naturally occurring, good starting point for a ride.

Obviously, then you need to fine tune it (or start again) when you actually ride the thing! .

So, this is where im at! Its now a question of testing it out and seeing what needs tweeking.

I've gone for

suntour xc pro cockpit with xlite bars
xt m735 rear mech with 11 28 8 speed cassette
xtr m9000 chainset
Xt m730 cantilevers
Flite titanium gel saddle.

Lets see how she goes.