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

[Qaws637]

I have a diamond back Apex that i want to restore. How do i keep the bike authentic when replacing/upgrading parts. How far do you go. Are there any rules?

Is it OK to upgrade parts to current day gear.

I want to replace/upgrade the original STX-RC front and rear derailleur's. What could I replace them with that would keep it authentic. I want shiny derailleur's look not the black ones.

I want to replace the front rigid forks with marzocchi Z2 or rockshox Judy. I don't really want to replace them with the factory standard rockshox Indy that they came out with, unless I have to. Do I have to look for 97 models.

I want to strip back the frame and powder coat it. Would changing the colour stop it from being authentic rebuild. Did all 97 models come out in black?

 

[Tazio]

There are different schools of thought. Some people do an authentic as it was build. Some people do a date specific build based on custom parts from the correct period and some people just build what looks good to them.

Your call really,

 

[sancho]

As a general rule of thumb, the older the bike, the more I like to see it as close to the original spec as possible, which usually means a full group of period correct Shimano, Suntour, Campy or Mavic.

By the time you get to the mid 90's, however, aftermarket parts were more plentiful so with bikes from that era I'm more open to builds that have an assortment of parts, usually from the same general era as the frame.

 

[mechagouki]

With a bike that was originally mid-range how far you want to go is up to you, do whatever will give you the most enjoyment froom the bike. People restoring rare handbuilt bikes from respected builders will go to great lengths, even seeking out the correct cable housing, ferrules etc. And if you want to do that that's cool, but it's not going to make the bike ride any better.

 

[Agency_Scum]

" Your call " +1 here too.
Personally, I love the ethos or the ideal of retro. I just fitted spanky new M970 V brakes because they were cheap. Top line gear's getting cheaper again now the profiteers have buggered off so knock yourself out.
By the way, I reckon the '94 English spec petrol blue Apex was the best looking.

 

[andrewl]

To me the word “authentic” goes hand in hand with the word “reproduction” and is predominantly used by advertisers to talk you into buying something which is often a shadow of the original product.

Green curry paste in a jar is a good example of something authentic, its ok as a product if you are desperate, but rather ordinary compared to the real thing offered in an Asian back street.

That probably doesn’t add much to the discussion regarding your bike but it’s food for thought...

 

[feetabix]

It's your bike, and your choice!......some people express themselves with catalogue rebuilds which take time and discipline to put together, I have seen plenty of old frames dripping in modern parts that look great.....go your own way!.......

 

[cce]

question is, how many people do you know who rode full factory spec back in the day? in my case it was NONE!

as far as i'm concerned, this makes anything you reasonably do authentic.

 

[twain]

as many have said here, do what you want.
whatever that is, please make sure you post up piccies, we all love a build thread here
one other way of thinking (similar to cce's), if you had that bike back when it came out, what would you do with the bike? keep it factory? or upgrade to the higher spec components that were out then?
or if you like the look of a certain group set, go for that, regardless of age.
that's what i love about this website and bicycles in general, swapping and changing parts gives way to an infinitesimal arrangement of setups
just make sure it leaves you with a smile on your face and grease on your hands

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

If I was buying a bike described as authentic then I'd expect factory spec or as close as possible allowing for discontinued parts etc.
Some thing built with equivilent but different parts of the same era I'd call a sympathetic build.
Anything else is just that.
For me I'd build what suited me and not call it anything.