Original or not original....that is the question.

[Bimly]

So, I'm about to rebuild a good quality late 80s mountain bike.

The question up for discussion is should it be catalogue original OR the way you want it?

Are period parts good enough or do they need to be the exact parts?

Considering a high percentage of bikes get a degree of adaption over their life does it matter?

And if it does......why?

 

[Gerard]

Re:

My view is we bought bikes BITD and then stared adding components to either individulise them or improve them because couldn't afford the top spec.
So I don't have an issue with building how you want. My view is if you had the frame and may complete choice of all those bit in the mags we drooled over...what would you do? Keep it original or build how you wanted? I know what I would do.

 

[Double-E F]

Re:

It is all up to you and you only.

Personally, I want my bikes to be rideable and to look nice, which means that the parts I bring together onto a frame should be more or less period-correct, but above all functional.
I don't think a bike should be catalogue-specced, nor the lightest in the book, or equipped with freakingly expensive NOS parts.

But that is just my opinion, of course..

 

[Bimly]

On one hand I agree that your bike is your bike, so build it how you want it..but...what about the preservation of a bit of cycling history?

 

[Double-E F]

...what about the preservation of a bit of cycling history?

I leave that to others, with more patience and deeper pockets..

 

[BerthaPog]

I’m with Gerard and Double-E F, hence sig line of “Build it like you owned it!”

I don’t think any bike I’ve owned, whether from new, second hand fully built, or one that I’ve built up from parts, has ever stayed unchanged for more than a few weeks. I’ve even had new bikes having parts swapped before I’ve got it in my possession.

Whilst I understand the challenge of a catalogue spec build, as soon as you ride it, it’s not catalogue spec any more.

 

[Bimly]

Interesting. However, I'm not sure we have to be talking big money. I've got an 1987 bear valley from the early days of Marin. Not expensive, but imo it's the first year that Marin really got their act together and built a good quality, well functioning mtb. It was basically £25.00! I'm up for keeping that original, as to me that period of genesis is important.....and I'm a Marin devotee.

However, as it's cheap many would either not bother with it, scrap it for parts or dump it....which where it came from!

Sadly I get the vibe on this forum that cash is king and if it's not worth big bucks, it's not worth having.

 

[The History Man]

Er you haven’t seen much then. Lots of love’s labours lust on here. Many nostalgic careworn tidy up builds with scraped together odd groups etc.

Build it your way and show and tell. It’s your bike your rules if any.

 

[Bimly]

The rebuild will be my way for sure. I dont seem to see many build threads or discussions in general. It looks (as a relatively new member) more like in house Ebay!

I would certainly welcome more community in the community.

 

[Bimly]

Getting a bit off topic. I was really interested in why people do what they do. I find it fascinating. I have my reasons, I'm just interested in what other peoples are....discussion being a great way to understand and expand your understanding.