basketcase
Dirt Disciple
I picked this up a couple weeks ago - I think it's a '95, and except for the tires and saddle, pretty much original.
Made by a small company in California, that was only in business from 1990 to '98.
They used Taiwan built frames from Fairly Bike Company, and had a not-bad, interesting mix of components -
The mechs are Deore XT, crankset is XTR, nice DiaCompe cantis, WTB "Power Beam" rims and almost new Michelin tires. And although this was not their top end bike, 4 different forks were optional.
The seller, however, was a real cheapskate - He pulled the bottle cage off, before I got here
One unusual, and interesting thing (at least for me) were the Ringle' hubs -
The rear looks like their 2nd generation "Super-Duper" hub - These seem to have sort of a cult following, and are offered for some really grotesque prices on e-Bay, especially the colorful anodized ones
However - The hubs (at least the fronts) have a known weakness - A metallurgical issue
I've read several accounts of them shattering at the flange, even of one that came apart on the truing stand
I don't believe it was used more than to ride around the guy's neighborhood, which didn't look especially rough
But I actually think the guy may have been riding it like this !?
The rim now has a pretty good lateral wow in it, due to a couple missing spokes - I just hope it comes out when I build the new wheel!
I ordered a nice, NOS, plain-Jane, Deore LX hub to replace it - I'm also being optimistic, and keeping the rear, for now.
At this point I plan to keep it pretty much as found, except to maybe fit a shorter stem, as the frame's a bit large for me, and the grip shifts and bar ends have to go - Sorry, personal prejudices.
And, maybe some new pedals, and seat, and...............
I'll post it here again, if it cleans up and looks presentable enough
Made by a small company in California, that was only in business from 1990 to '98.
They used Taiwan built frames from Fairly Bike Company, and had a not-bad, interesting mix of components -
The mechs are Deore XT, crankset is XTR, nice DiaCompe cantis, WTB "Power Beam" rims and almost new Michelin tires. And although this was not their top end bike, 4 different forks were optional.
The seller, however, was a real cheapskate - He pulled the bottle cage off, before I got here
One unusual, and interesting thing (at least for me) were the Ringle' hubs -
The rear looks like their 2nd generation "Super-Duper" hub - These seem to have sort of a cult following, and are offered for some really grotesque prices on e-Bay, especially the colorful anodized ones
However - The hubs (at least the fronts) have a known weakness - A metallurgical issue
I've read several accounts of them shattering at the flange, even of one that came apart on the truing stand
I don't believe it was used more than to ride around the guy's neighborhood, which didn't look especially rough
But I actually think the guy may have been riding it like this !?
The rim now has a pretty good lateral wow in it, due to a couple missing spokes - I just hope it comes out when I build the new wheel!
I ordered a nice, NOS, plain-Jane, Deore LX hub to replace it - I'm also being optimistic, and keeping the rear, for now.
At this point I plan to keep it pretty much as found, except to maybe fit a shorter stem, as the frame's a bit large for me, and the grip shifts and bar ends have to go - Sorry, personal prejudices.
And, maybe some new pedals, and seat, and...............
I'll post it here again, if it cleans up and looks presentable enough
