What does a authentic rebuild mean. How far do you go?

I say it depends what you want to do with it. If you want to look at it because yo drooled over it in the catalogue, it needs to be 'authentic' of faithful to that build. However if you want to ride it make the mods that's going to make you enjoy not hate every ride.
My Butler came fitted with a Flite, which was agony for me so I swapped it for a WTB Rocket, the stem was a little too long and flat so I got a shorter one with a slightly higher rise. The result? I did 7 hours (35 odd miles) in the saddle during the summer and it was great!

Carl.
 
It depends on your personality - if you have OCD tendencies, then go the catalogue way. You'll have hours of fun researching which OEM made the chain on your bike. However, such a build will include the shabby compromises to hit a price point - the heavy and poorly-sealed bottom bracket, cruddy headset etc.

Otherwise build it up in a way that makes it nice to ride. Personally I hate 4-arm chainsets (the devil's work) :twisted: and would never have one on a bike. At the same time I run modern rear mechs as they work better than a 20 year old one which also costs more.
 
i have a 94 parkpre that was sold as a bike and frame only, lots of manufacturers were sellling frame only so really any period correct build can be authentic in my eye, thats why mine looks nothing like any parkpre sold as complete.

its nice to see a catologue bike now and again but its not my thing really as i always liked to upgrade and modify my bikes BITD,

But I do think for a particular frame year 1-2 years before and 2 years after is about the limit for component choice, unless its a particulary exceptional component that was known to be salvaged from old bikes for quality / comfort / because it was better, such as some saddles, xt thumbs and so on
 
Nice to have it all correct,but not always possible due to finances or availability so just take it as far as you can 8).XT pedals for instance,can be expensive to fit due to rarity, market price etc etc.I dont think the bike loses out not having them fitted :?
 
At one end you have return it as it came from the factory... And the other end use the frame and build whatever with whatever

Some where in the middle is where most go like upgrading components

Beyond that as long as it's tastefully done and keeps an old bike alive then the world is your oyster
 
Au·then·tic not false or copied; genuine;

Authentic, in relation to restoring a MTB, car, motorcycle etc is widely regarded as being exactly as it left the factory.

Close to, or with a generous nod to the original is known as a 'sympathetic' restoration.
 
it depends on what you're trying to be authentic to.

so actually all these patchwork spec bikes are probably authentic to a ride someone somewhere had back in the day
 
*AL*":17i3dp3p said:
Au·then·tic not false or copied; genuine;

Authentic, in relation to restoring a MTB, car, motorcycle etc is widely regarded as being exactly as it left the factory.

Close to, or with a generous nod to the original is known as a 'sympathetic' restoration.

Cheers for that 8)
 

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