RC300 Finished - post long-ride report

[dbmtb]

Not quite finished yet - the RC38s may well be going.... The rotors don't match and it'll be a 2X9 RS7, not the RS8 that's on it at the moment. Would like a shorter stem that matches a bit better too. And one of the earlier Hope headsets.... But for now, it'll do.....

Frame: Pace RC300, 16" serial RC30016212, formerly owned by Awkward Kid

Fork: Pace RC39, 100mm.

Headset: Hope (current model)
Stem: Pace RC45 100m, silver.

Handlebar: X-Lite XLR Pro Titanium that's been on my Dave Yates and my RC200 before this.
Grips: SRAM
Barends: X-Lite Pro Stubbie

Brakes/levers: Hope Mini
Rotors: 165mm Hope 5-bolt

Shifters: SRAM Plasma 9-speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano M953
Rear Derailleur: Sachs (!) Plasma - probably predates the frame.
Derailleur Cables: Jagwire teflon coated, 5mm housing.
Cassette: SRAM
Chain: SRAM PC89
Cranks: Middleburn RS7 170mm
Crank Bolts: Middleburn
Chainrings: Middleburn 30T Hardcote, 42T hardcote slickshift
Chainring bolts: Middleburn
Bottom Bracket: Hope titanium, 113mm
Pedals: Shimano M540 SPD

Wheels (turn out to be JUST OK as hubs and QRs were discontinued 1 year after RC300 was introduced)
Hub Skewers: Original-type red Hopes
Rims: Mavic 3:1 UST (NOS from 2001)
Hubs: Hope Ti-Glide R /NOS F Titanium disc
Nipples: DT Brass
Spokes: DT Competition
Tyres: Racing Ralph UST

Saddle: Flite SLR
Seatpost: X-Lite
Seatpost Binderace

Comes in at just over 10kg - with no particular attempts at saving weight. Will probably swap the UST tyres for 1.8 Rocket Ron Evos which will save over half a kilo and give better fork mud clearance.

Some of the bits came off my RC200 pictured alongside - which now has red Renthal +130 bars (from Jez I think), an M-952 E-type front mech (thanks kiwideturin), USE titanium seatpost (used to be alloy), Selle Italia Novus Ferrari saddle, Pace integrated stem/steerer (thanks Tim) and RC36 Evo IIIs (thanks NorthernDave)

Everything except the front hub, grips, cables, cassette, tyres, saddle, rims, spokes, chainrings, chain, chainring and crank bolts came from Retrobike members. Thanks chaps, one and all.

 

[Fudd]

Bout time you got it built

My only advice regarding what forks etc would be to put all of your preferred bits on the 300 and put the sloppy seconds on the 200.... And don't be afraid to put modern kit on it either. Pace sold these frames up to 2005 and the latest XTR/SRAM wouldn't look out of place on it....

 

[dbmtb]

Bout time you got it built

My only advice regarding what forks etc would be to put all of your preferred bits on the 300 and put the sloppy seconds on the 200.... And don't be afraid to put modern kit on it either. Pace sold these frames up to 2005 and the latest XTR/SRAM wouldn't look out of place on it....

I don't have any sloppy seconds Fudd.... All the kit that's on it at the moment is first choice - out of what I had.

Thanks for the heads up about 2005. I thought it was somewhere around then as I ended up having to go for an RC303 in 2007 as RC300s had been discontinued not too long before that, but couldn't remember the exact year. That means I can make a few improvements (see below)

After the ride yesterday, the 2.1 Racing Ralph USTs have to go in favour of something lighter and thinner. Despite the bike being a whole kilo lighter than the F6 (with the same forks), I found it less lively. Rocket Ron 1,8 EVOs are a likely choice - and will save over half a kilo.

The RC38s were suddenly stiff enough.... Problem must have been the front hub and/or QR on the F6. Must check it. But they aren't plush enough for my style of riding so they are going.

Stem is definitely too low and too long. When I get the right fork, I think I will fit the USE Atom and carbon risers that are sat on the remains of my RC303 and see how it goes.

 

[Awkward Kid]

Looking great Dave.
I ran her with a 90mm stem, XC rise bars and found it was just right. A lot more feel that the 100mm stem I had on my old F8.
The fox I had where perfect for the frame but I know what you purest are like
I'm not a fan of big chunky tyres, I've not ran anything over 1.8's for years on an XC bike. I'm sure Fudd will agree that RC300 is a wippet but more importantly... Enjoy her

 

[dbmtb]

Oh ... so it is a "she".

Someone got lambasted the other day for calling theirs a "he" as the square tubes were so masculine.

However, I think that this one is indeed a "she".

 

[Awkward Kid]

All bikes with single crown forks are girls

 

[dbmtb]

Update.

One RC39 fork later, this bike has improved loads.

Still need a shorter stem though - was going to fit my USE Atom bar and stem but there isn't room for the lockout switch.

So 100mm or so Pace stem, still on the wanted list, red, black or silver (not too fussed).

Mysterious creaks have been resolved - seatclamp needed a new blob of silicone grease. Dropouts needed to be taken off and greased. And one of the cable outers at the head-tube is a creaker I can't do anything about.

 

[dbmtb]

Re: Another RC300

Not quite finished yet - it'll be a 2X9 RS7, not the RS8 that's on it at the moment. Would like a shorter stem that matches a bit better too. And one of the earlier Hope headsets.... But for now, it'll do.....

Frame: Pace RC300, 16" serial RC30016212, formerly owned by Awkward Kid

Fork: Pace RC39, 100mm.(thanks Phil Stone and Tim JBD)

Headset: Hope (current model)
Stem: Pace RC45, 125mm HELP NEED SHORTER ONE!!!

Handlebar: X-Lite XLR Pro Titanium (had since for ever)
Grips: SRAM
Barends: X-Lite Pro Stubbie (silver, not the red ones pictured which were a bit too much)

Brakes/levers: Hope Mini
Rotors: 165mm Hope 5-bolt

Shifters: SRAM Plasma 9-speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano M953
Rear Derailleur: Sachs (!) Plasma - probably predates the frame.
Derailleur Cables: Jagwire teflon coated, 5mm Clarks extra-stiff housing.
Cassette: SRAM 970 11-32
Chain: SRAM PC89
Cranks: Middleburn RS8
Crank Bolts: Middleburn
Chainrings: Middleburn 22T red, 34T Hardcote slickshift, 44T Black slickshift
Chainring bolts: Middleburn
Bottom Bracket: Royce titanium, 113mm
Pedals: Look SLII

Hub Skewers: Original red Hope
Rims: 32H Mavic 3:1 UST (NOS from 2001)
Hubs: 32H Hope Ti-Glide/Titanium disc
Nipples: DT Brass
Spokes: DT Competition
Tyres: Racing Ralph UST

Saddle: Flite SLR Trans-am
Seatpost: X-Lite
Seatpost Binderace

Comes in at 10.5 kg - with no particular attempts at saving weight.

Some of the bits came off my RC200 pictured alongside - which now has red Renthal +130 bars (from Jez I think), an M-952 E-type front mech (thanks kiwideturin), USE titanium seatpost (used to be alloy), Selle Italia Novus Ferrari saddle, Pace integrated stem/steerer (thanks Tim) and RC36 Evo IIIs (thanks NorthernDave)

Going out for its first proper ride today!

 

[JeRkY]

What was it you were saying about the JDI involvement in Pace? pretty good evidence to show there is at least another influencer on the scene

Looks very purposeful! Small frames always look better in my eyes, just sadly they are not right for me.

 

[dbmtb]

OK - I think we're done here! Final alterations now made.

Mostly a "correct" 2001 build. Hubs were discontinued 2002. Rims were introduced 2001. Brakes were still current. Only real discrepancies are forks, which are 2005 but just too nice not to use - and tyres - which can always be swapped round. Headset is also the later model - but the original version is less service-friendly so am sticking with this one.

42-30 Hardcote Middleburns on 170mm RS7s. 175s give me bad knees!

The long-awaited 90mm stem!

Cockpit - oops - need to adjust the LH bar end!

So you can see I didn't cheat with the bottom bracket!

Front hub/brake

Rear hub/brake. Note how I resolved the stupid recessed bolt fitting! Washer from v-brake blocks underneath. Now no need to use 2 size allen keys!

Rear mech