Discussion
77th Brigade said:
I have a thing for Retro-bikes. There's a Whyte PRST-1 'Preying Mantis' for sale on Facebook right now for £750!
Like this:
I crashed on one of those once! Like this:
I have a couple of retro bikes; a 1998 Specialized FSR Comp that is completely standard, and the exact same Specialized FSR Comp that's been ruined with various DH parts, like Marzocchi Junior T forks. Although expensive stuff like the Hope C2 brakes and Blackspire chain device/RaceFace Turbines were sold on and have been replaced with lower spec stuff. It'll be up for sale as spares/repairs soon.
The standard bike looks like this, although not my picture:
Ikemi said:
I crashed on one of those once!
I have a couple of retro bikes; a 1998 Specialized FSR Comp that is completely standard, and the exact same Specialized FSR Comp that's been ruined with various DH parts, like Marzocchi Junior T forks. Although expensive stuff like the Hope C2 brakes and Blackspire chain device/RaceFace Turbines were sold on and have been replaced with lower spec stuff. It'll be up for sale as spares/repairs soon.
The standard bike looks like this, although not my picture:
I soooo wanted an FSR, but had to settle for the cheap version, A Univega DS-830I have a couple of retro bikes; a 1998 Specialized FSR Comp that is completely standard, and the exact same Specialized FSR Comp that's been ruined with various DH parts, like Marzocchi Junior T forks. Although expensive stuff like the Hope C2 brakes and Blackspire chain device/RaceFace Turbines were sold on and have been replaced with lower spec stuff. It'll be up for sale as spares/repairs soon.
The standard bike looks like this, although not my picture:
Did/do any of you champs know anything about the old Trek VRX series? The black 400 was my dream bike when I was younger and now the prices of them are so low that getting one just for the sake of it actually seems feasible. I think if I did I’d get a 300 as it’s a better all-rounder I could use but would be interested to hear if they’ve held up over time?
V1nce Fox said:
Pupp said:
This is my thing. Do you have any more pics/details of the setup?
I did very briefly think about whether horizontal ends could be substituted but that would have destroyed the patina and I wanted to keep the frame at least original.
So, the solution was a White Industries eccentric adjusting hub… very clever and beautifully made; even the wavy spline system they use for their sprockets is a work of art.
Once I bit the bullet on that, I sourced a pair of Velocity deep V rims in 650 C and built the rear onto the WI hub with a double cross pattern, and the front radially onto the original SLX hub. The wheel building was really satisfying and they’ve proved to be solid. Tyres were bloody tight to mount however; not sure a puncture on the road side would go well (Vittoria).
Using the 650rims meant I could keep the original SLX canti brakes… I still run the rear.
Chain ring was a generic I found off the inter web that would mount on the original SLX crankset spider; more by luck than judgment the chain line worked without too much jiggling.
It has quite long gearing now, after trying a couple of different sprockets. It’s not really hilly around here, and I like that it does occasionally make you get out the saddle. I tend to use it as the summer beer scooter so normally have some miles in before it gets an outing.
The rest of the cycle parts are straight off the original donor C16R (saddle got changed at some point), apart from the Spinacci style bar additions, which were some generics I had lying around after they were outlawed in road racing so no longer used, and it has some gorgeous single sided Dura Ace spd pedals. These are a complete liability for dynamic clipping in unless using road shoes, which I rarely do now. If I’m in MTB shoes with front studs, the trick is to clip in whilst leaning on something, then avoid stopping until destination reached… makes you anticipate!
It’s proved to be light, responsive, and great fun to ride. Alway gets loads of interest and comments when people clock what it is.
popegregory said:
Did/do any of you champs know anything about the old Trek VRX series? The black 400 was my dream bike when I was younger and now the prices of them are so low that getting one just for the sake of it actually seems feasible. I think if I did I’d get a 300 as it’s a better all-rounder I could use but would be interested to hear if they’ve held up over time?
I've got a VRX500 (the orange one) that I bought new in 99, original pretty much everything inc seat/grips/tyres! Have to do a full disc brake caliper overhaul at some point on it & it should be good to go 
CO2000 said:
popegregory said:
Did/do any of you champs know anything about the old Trek VRX series? The black 400 was my dream bike when I was younger and now the prices of them are so low that getting one just for the sake of it actually seems feasible. I think if I did I’d get a 300 as it’s a better all-rounder I could use but would be interested to hear if they’ve held up over time?
I've got a VRX500 (the orange one) that I bought new in 99, original pretty much everything inc seat/grips/tyres! Have to do a full disc brake caliper overhaul at some point on it & it should be good to go popegregory said:
CO2000 said:
popegregory said:
Did/do any of you champs know anything about the old Trek VRX series? The black 400 was my dream bike when I was younger and now the prices of them are so low that getting one just for the sake of it actually seems feasible. I think if I did I’d get a 300 as it’s a better all-rounder I could use but would be interested to hear if they’ve held up over time?
I've got a VRX500 (the orange one) that I bought new in 99, original pretty much everything inc seat/grips/tyres! Have to do a full disc brake caliper overhaul at some point on it & it should be good to go I've posted mine before and I got shot down for it not being retro! It's a 2003 Marin Quad, the first year they went from single pivot to the quad linkage. It's not been used much in the last 5 years to be fair but I've recently jumped back on it and started riding again.
I've decided that seeing as it will be 20 years old next year I'm going to treat it to a complete rebuild / refurbishment. One issue that immediately sprang to mind was sourcing replacement graphics, any ideas where you can get them?
I've decided that seeing as it will be 20 years old next year I'm going to treat it to a complete rebuild / refurbishment. One issue that immediately sprang to mind was sourcing replacement graphics, any ideas where you can get them?
CO2000 said:
popegregory said:
CO2000 said:
popegregory said:
Did/do any of you champs know anything about the old Trek VRX series? The black 400 was my dream bike when I was younger and now the prices of them are so low that getting one just for the sake of it actually seems feasible. I think if I did I’d get a 300 as it’s a better all-rounder I could use but would be interested to hear if they’ve held up over time?
I've got a VRX500 (the orange one) that I bought new in 99, original pretty much everything inc seat/grips/tyres! Have to do a full disc brake caliper overhaul at some point on it & it should be good to go aVdub said:
Kind of sad, but rewarding was letting go of my old bikes on Ebay last year.
Including many parts from the 1990's was a Proflex 857 frame and a Specialized Big Hit DH frame.
Sad to see them go, but the sales provided extra funds for upgrades and a new bike.
Over the last 2-3yrs I’ve dold a few, a Trek 4200(?) from 2001 ish & my ancient Alpine in rather fetching orange & purple which I’d had converted to singly years before!Including many parts from the 1990's was a Proflex 857 frame and a Specialized Big Hit DH frame.
Sad to see them go, but the sales provided extra funds for upgrades and a new bike.
bern said:
I've posted mine before and I got shot down for it not being retro! It's a 2003 Marin Quad, the first year they went from single pivot to the quad linkage. It's not been used much in the last 5 years to be fair but I've recently jumped back on it and started riding again.
I've decided that seeing as it will be 20 years old next year I'm going to treat it to a complete rebuild / refurbishment. One issue that immediately sprang to mind was sourcing replacement graphics, any ideas where you can get them?
I remember these being released. Still look pretty modern to me. Shows how ahead of its time the design was.I've decided that seeing as it will be 20 years old next year I'm going to treat it to a complete rebuild / refurbishment. One issue that immediately sprang to mind was sourcing replacement graphics, any ideas where you can get them?
Any views on a fair selling price for this? c.2001 , Specialized Rockhopper ('Comp' maybe?); Deore groupset, Mavic rims, everything working perfectly as it should. c.£700 when new from what I remember
Great condition - as good as it looks in the pic - but probably not old enough to have 'retro' value?
Great condition - as good as it looks in the pic - but probably not old enough to have 'retro' value?
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