What would your 'retro-mod' bike be like?

[adamgent]

I am getting all sentimental at the moment at the thought of not having anymore bikes and the loss of my '97 Explosif all those years ago (still looking for one by the way!).

Anyhoo. I had for a while wondered what the Modern version of my bike would be like based on the parts I chose at the time.


This is how it was

Frame-------Explosif - Columbus Max - 'Team Mustard' metallic yellow
Forks--------Pace RC30
Headset-----Chris King
Stem--------Control Tech
Bars---------Curve (can't remember the name - straight gauge with a plastic sleeve at the stem).
Seatpost----USEsilver
Saddle------Flight
Levers------Avid Ultimate
Brakes------XT V
Shifters-----XT 8 spd
F Mech------XT
R Mech------XT
Chainset----Middleburn RS7 - Slickshift Hardcoat rings
BB-----------Hope Ti
Cassette----XT
Hubs--------Hope SUS & Ti Glide
Rims--------Mavic 217 Ceramic
Tyres-------Conti Cross Country 1.5"


How would it be now?
Frame------Modern RM Blizzard? Top end material and similar geometry (and not sliding drop outs like the modern Explosifs!)
Forks-------Pace RC31
Headset----Chris King
Stem-------Thomson - silver
Bars--------?? Anyone know any modern straight gauge bars?
Seatpost---Thomson - silver
Saddle-----Fizik Gobi
Levers-----Avid Ultimate
Brakes-----XT
Shifters----XT 8 spd
F Mech-----XT
R Mech-----XT
Chainset---Middleburn RS9 (I hear they are developing an external BB chainset)
BB----------Hope Ceramic external BB
Cassette---XT
Hubs-------Hope Pro 3
Rims-------Mavic XC717


What do you think? Any other ideas on retro-mods?

 

[orange71]

nice idea but I have no idea whatsoever of new stuff out there at the moment!!

 

[adamgent]

I had to research! Hope Pro 3? Never heard of them until tonight ha ha!

 

[orange71]

I guess I *should* start looking at the modern things to lust after now that I may be able to afford in 15 years time!

 

[OrangeRetro]

Back then I would have loved a P7 with full XT and some syncros....

Now I'd want a Five Pro in a funny green colour with the performance pack, X9 and M4's.....

Hmmm... :roll: Wooooooohooooo!

But for the true retro-mod ride I have an on-one inbred.. with pace forks!

 

[jango]

Retro-mod...that depends on your definition, but personally I'm with Tintin on this one......old skool bike, rigid perhaps, keep the old bars stems etc and bang on some modern 9sp xtr for function, obviously using v-brakes, as discs just shout modern to me!!

 

[adamgent]

Exactly; retro styles but in a modern flavour.

It would have to be flat bars and hard tail for me - not necessarily rigid.

Thankfully some of my favourite brands are still around and just as pure; Chris King Hope Middleburn USE Pace... Enough has been said over the years about the small CNC comapnies that died out after the late 90's purple revolution.

I also think 8 speed. Definately Vs...and preferably not Shimano (just because there were more alternatives then). I'd probably stick to Shimano gearing because it has always been the mainstay.

I'm still stuck on a retro-mod handlebar though. the top notch flats are all carbon and the top notch alu bars are all downhill risers. Not many Ti bars about. I think they still make Answer Hyperlite flats.


Before putting my Hot on fleebay I did ponder doing this for a long time - but the cost was inhibitive. I had thought it would look awesome to have Gill knock up a set of Kona Hot decals but in the current font. And to get the frame resprayed in pearlescent white. The power of dreams!

 

[kool maudit]

voodoo bizango in orange
rock shox sid in white
vintage syncros stem, ti seatpost, flite saddle

hydraulic disks
m900 drivetrain
dura-ace shifters on paul's mounts

black ano rims
skinwalls

 

[Andy R]

How would it be now?
Frame ?? Modern RM Blizzard? Top end material and similar geometry (and not sliding drop outs like the modern Explosifs!)

What do you think? Any other ideas on retro-mods?

If you wanted to use V brakes (why :?: :?: ) then it would have to be a pre 2006 Blizzard frame. The later ones only have caliper mounts and hose guides (no brake cable stops or v brake bosses).
All the better for it too, IMHO.
Also, a 2006 17.5" Blizzard is shorter in the top tube than a 18" '97 Explosif, and has frame angles adjusted to 100/120mm travel fork.

 

[adamgent]

I'd like to keep to Vs because the thinking behind it was 'what would my bike back then look like now' keeping similar spec.

Yes the recent frames are adjusted for longer travel sus forks but the rigid forks (even P2s) have also been made longer over the years to match the bikes.