cherrybomb
Old School Grand Master
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This bike is my unicorn.
Ever since owning one from new, brought in 1995, which was stolen in 1998 from outside a newsagents in Maidenhead, I've wanted another to replace it.
Th original was purchased as a frame and built up with an eclectic mix of components. Some a bit special, others middle of the road.
I finally found an (almost) identical frame back in 2014 and built it up as closely to the original bike as possible.
The original thread is here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=285008
The original replacement frame was actually a 1996, which is very different in design to the earlier Zaskars as it doesn't have the distinctive triangular gusset between the top & downtube.
Last year, I managed to bag this frame for £40.00 off eBay :shock: It's a 93-94 as opposed to the 1995 I had back in the day & is a bit of a puzzle.
As far as I'm aware, ink blue wasn't an option until 1995, but this frame is an October 1993, so a 1994 model year frame. It's also not the same colour as any I've seen before, it's more of a petrol blue. There's nothing to suggest it's a blemished frame or prototype so I can only assume it's an early run of the darker colour. The anodising is definitely original (or at least done when new) so it remains a mystery.
I've scratched the nostalgic itch and although I briefly just swapped this frame into the original build, it as never going to be my old bike, I decided to start afresh.
Back in the day I couldn't afford a factory Zaskar LE, so now was my chance. There are some lovely factory/period builds on the forum and I wanted something more catalog in nature, but I also wanted it to be different, but I could give my self a bit of flexibility as the Ink Blue was a Tech Shop option.
With a bit of artistic licence (given the frame is 1993) I had the option to go with an XC Pro build, which felt different enough for me. As much as I love M900, it does get a bit samey on Zaskars.
So the search began for parts for the build. Id' already swapped the U.S.E. Stealth forks fitted to the first build for a pair of Bologna Lites, so these were enlisted for duty once more, held in place on this occasion by a Tange AheadSet. I've also fitted an XTR grey Syncros Cattlehead stem & some Syncros Bars. The stem is to be swapped for a black replacement with a little less rise. The chainset currently fitted is n XC Comp, but that too will be replaced with an XC Pro number & matching bottom bracket.
Following lengthy discussions with ishaw, I have secured the first batch of XC Pro kit for the build so I can actually get started now:
Front mech.....
....and rear
Thumb shifters and brake levers
and cantilever brakes....
Which really are a thing of beauty.
Next month I'll be in a position to sort the next bits for the build. Cranks, BB and hubs.
I still need to source a 32H Mavic M231 rim and a nice black 27mm seatpost.
But that's what makes it fun.
Ever since owning one from new, brought in 1995, which was stolen in 1998 from outside a newsagents in Maidenhead, I've wanted another to replace it.
Th original was purchased as a frame and built up with an eclectic mix of components. Some a bit special, others middle of the road.
I finally found an (almost) identical frame back in 2014 and built it up as closely to the original bike as possible.
The original thread is here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=285008
The original replacement frame was actually a 1996, which is very different in design to the earlier Zaskars as it doesn't have the distinctive triangular gusset between the top & downtube.
Last year, I managed to bag this frame for £40.00 off eBay :shock: It's a 93-94 as opposed to the 1995 I had back in the day & is a bit of a puzzle.
As far as I'm aware, ink blue wasn't an option until 1995, but this frame is an October 1993, so a 1994 model year frame. It's also not the same colour as any I've seen before, it's more of a petrol blue. There's nothing to suggest it's a blemished frame or prototype so I can only assume it's an early run of the darker colour. The anodising is definitely original (or at least done when new) so it remains a mystery.
I've scratched the nostalgic itch and although I briefly just swapped this frame into the original build, it as never going to be my old bike, I decided to start afresh.
Back in the day I couldn't afford a factory Zaskar LE, so now was my chance. There are some lovely factory/period builds on the forum and I wanted something more catalog in nature, but I also wanted it to be different, but I could give my self a bit of flexibility as the Ink Blue was a Tech Shop option.
With a bit of artistic licence (given the frame is 1993) I had the option to go with an XC Pro build, which felt different enough for me. As much as I love M900, it does get a bit samey on Zaskars.
So the search began for parts for the build. Id' already swapped the U.S.E. Stealth forks fitted to the first build for a pair of Bologna Lites, so these were enlisted for duty once more, held in place on this occasion by a Tange AheadSet. I've also fitted an XTR grey Syncros Cattlehead stem & some Syncros Bars. The stem is to be swapped for a black replacement with a little less rise. The chainset currently fitted is n XC Comp, but that too will be replaced with an XC Pro number & matching bottom bracket.
Following lengthy discussions with ishaw, I have secured the first batch of XC Pro kit for the build so I can actually get started now:
Front mech.....
....and rear
Thumb shifters and brake levers
and cantilever brakes....
Which really are a thing of beauty.
Next month I'll be in a position to sort the next bits for the build. Cranks, BB and hubs.
I still need to source a 32H Mavic M231 rim and a nice black 27mm seatpost.
But that's what makes it fun.
