I'm looking to get back into cycling following a period of debilitating illness which has left me a little unfit, to say the least - and with painful knees that need 'working' as much as possible so as not to seize up.
So I decided to dig out my 1992 S-Works M2 which I used for 'adventurous' off-roading between '92 and '96; then the kids came along! I had it resprayed by API - who also fitted factory-issued stickers - a metallic blue instead of the metallic pink it was supplied in (too girlie!)... and fitted Mavic 231CD rims, Pace RC35 forks, Ritchey Logic spuds, Pace (straight) Renthal RC sub130 bars, Ringle Mobey seatpost with Flite razor, Dia Compe 987 centre-pull brakes. So... not quite a 'true' M2, but at least I kept the XT all round!
It's in pretty good nick (hardly been used in the last 15 years, and never off road since 1996) and it feels as responsive now as it did then. It's running the original forks, but I'd like to refit the RC35s... and maybe even give it another respray (at Argos - I live near Bristol).
But (1) would it be worth it? This site has really got me inspired to take on a refurb project and enjoy a 'blast from my past' (though my knees will force me to get rid of the SPDs!). However, I think Pace have shut down... so will I be able to get 'spare' elastomers for the forks (which I'm guessing will be past their sell-by date now)? Could anyone tell me where spares might be available? All the renewed Specialized S-Works M2 stickers have peeled away since that respray, so it would be nice to know if I can get dupes from anywhere, too.
Or (2) should I sell it for what I'm guessing would be less than a couple of hundred quid and go to Halfords for something a little more modern... if not a lot heavier than the 22lb that this one weighs?
Or (3) should I simply stick it in the skip and show it the old MTBers home?
I really want to get back into biking, albeit not 'off road', and would love to be reunited with this beautiful runner - but I simply don't know whether it's worth the time/effort/expense.
Any (impartial) advice from this like-minded forum would be most appreciated.
Cheers.
Nige
So I decided to dig out my 1992 S-Works M2 which I used for 'adventurous' off-roading between '92 and '96; then the kids came along! I had it resprayed by API - who also fitted factory-issued stickers - a metallic blue instead of the metallic pink it was supplied in (too girlie!)... and fitted Mavic 231CD rims, Pace RC35 forks, Ritchey Logic spuds, Pace (straight) Renthal RC sub130 bars, Ringle Mobey seatpost with Flite razor, Dia Compe 987 centre-pull brakes. So... not quite a 'true' M2, but at least I kept the XT all round!
It's in pretty good nick (hardly been used in the last 15 years, and never off road since 1996) and it feels as responsive now as it did then. It's running the original forks, but I'd like to refit the RC35s... and maybe even give it another respray (at Argos - I live near Bristol).
But (1) would it be worth it? This site has really got me inspired to take on a refurb project and enjoy a 'blast from my past' (though my knees will force me to get rid of the SPDs!). However, I think Pace have shut down... so will I be able to get 'spare' elastomers for the forks (which I'm guessing will be past their sell-by date now)? Could anyone tell me where spares might be available? All the renewed Specialized S-Works M2 stickers have peeled away since that respray, so it would be nice to know if I can get dupes from anywhere, too.
Or (2) should I sell it for what I'm guessing would be less than a couple of hundred quid and go to Halfords for something a little more modern... if not a lot heavier than the 22lb that this one weighs?
Or (3) should I simply stick it in the skip and show it the old MTBers home?
I really want to get back into biking, albeit not 'off road', and would love to be reunited with this beautiful runner - but I simply don't know whether it's worth the time/effort/expense.
Any (impartial) advice from this like-minded forum would be most appreciated.
Cheers.
Nige
