north20
12-02-2007, 01:01 AM
I first built this up in January '98 after picking up the frame from Doug Curtiss at what was then his new home just outside Winthrop, WA. Even when I've been off this bike for ages, I can climb aboard and it feels as comfy as that ancient pair of sweats that the wife or girlfriend begs you to toss out.
I've used this for everything from trail rides, backcountry epics, commuting duty, and even a fair bit of North Shore riding not long after I got it. It just never lets me down; and probably let me accomplish things I didn't have the talent to pull off otherwise.
Lots of old time parts here; the Look Moab pedals in particular are ancient but refuse to die. Newest piece, besides the Kenda semi slicks I'm using at the moment, is the Paul Thumbie that helped me replace the XTR 960 that finally died. I'd use the setup for the front shifting duties as well, but I'm enjoying playing around with the oddball IRD hydro disc that's circa 2000 or so, and the lever won't allow me to mount the Thumbie in a usable position. And that XTR shifter is still going strong anyway. The Rock Shox post has a bit of annoying swivel to it, but when my back gives me a bit of trouble the extra "cush" is nice. I get that under control enough and the old post will be right back on. One last note: those Kenda Short Trackers work pretty damn well on roads with a mix of paved, and packed snow & ice -- I was pleasantly surprised by that on the ride before this picture was snapped.
I usually don't photograph my bikes, but this one is special to me and may collect more than a little dust after I build up the 29er in a month or so ... I expect I'll spend as much time as possible getting experience with that platform. May even end up borrowing some of this old girl's parts as I'm really fond of some of them.
I've used this for everything from trail rides, backcountry epics, commuting duty, and even a fair bit of North Shore riding not long after I got it. It just never lets me down; and probably let me accomplish things I didn't have the talent to pull off otherwise.
Lots of old time parts here; the Look Moab pedals in particular are ancient but refuse to die. Newest piece, besides the Kenda semi slicks I'm using at the moment, is the Paul Thumbie that helped me replace the XTR 960 that finally died. I'd use the setup for the front shifting duties as well, but I'm enjoying playing around with the oddball IRD hydro disc that's circa 2000 or so, and the lever won't allow me to mount the Thumbie in a usable position. And that XTR shifter is still going strong anyway. The Rock Shox post has a bit of annoying swivel to it, but when my back gives me a bit of trouble the extra "cush" is nice. I get that under control enough and the old post will be right back on. One last note: those Kenda Short Trackers work pretty damn well on roads with a mix of paved, and packed snow & ice -- I was pleasantly surprised by that on the ride before this picture was snapped.
I usually don't photograph my bikes, but this one is special to me and may collect more than a little dust after I build up the 29er in a month or so ... I expect I'll spend as much time as possible getting experience with that platform. May even end up borrowing some of this old girl's parts as I'm really fond of some of them.