Devotion
11-08-2018, 12:18 AM
I am about to (slowly) begin the process of finding "era-correct" parts for my 1985 J.P. Weigle MTB project.
While I like the idea of building with a complete gruppo, since this was a custom/boutique build, I want to take some liberties and mix and match parts, just as someone "back in the day" might have done when custom ordering a frame and building it up to his or her liking with favorite/preferred/hot/new/trusted components.
While a full XC group is of course cool...and was perhaps a "Go To" build kit for production bikes of the era, I'd like to use some "funky" stuff, which reflects the earlier days of mountain bike experimentation/production and also sprinkle in some cool American boutique parts that were available at the time.
The frameset (and Bullmoose bars) are painted in a MOPAR muscle car color called "Panther Pink". It screams mid-80s, so I want to take this aesthetic and run with it.
Original paint is BEAT. The bike is covered in chips and nicks and scratches. I plan to build it with used but well cared for parts, not NOS pieces of jewelry.
This is meant to be a "survivor" build that I intend to get dusty and dirty. Not looking for anything precious, just stuff that reflects the era, honors it's history, works well, etc. No plans to repaint at this time.
For the derailleurs, I am eyeing either Shimano XT "Deer Head" or SunTour XC.
Anyone out there have a strong preference for one over the other? If so, why?
Rear brake is an under chainstay mounted XC Cunningham roller cam.
Find another matching front? Or was there a go-to canti that I should consider?
Levers: Maguras? Big moto-style Dia Comps? Match the XC brakes?
Seatpost is a 27.0
I like the idea of an American Classic here, as it's a good place to sprinkle in the smaller American brands. Otherwise, I'll match the drivetrain.
Cranks. I figure I will find something to match which derailleur I go with. Though I did read that Cook Bros "Dog Bones" first appeared in 85. If I stumbled upon a set that wasn't $$$, that'd be cool. Triple or double?
Pedals will be classic XC bear traps.
Turbo or Avocet Touring saddle.
Wheelset is keeping me up at night...
Hubs: I would love to do era Phils here. Nutted? QR?
Rims: What were my options? Would current production Araya 7X be absolute blasphemy? If I want vintage, what other models were popular in 85?
Tires:
Since this will likely see mixed terrain and the occasional fire road, I don't need anything wildly knobby. So...Snake Bellys?
Any thoughts? Ideas? Considerations?
While I like the idea of building with a complete gruppo, since this was a custom/boutique build, I want to take some liberties and mix and match parts, just as someone "back in the day" might have done when custom ordering a frame and building it up to his or her liking with favorite/preferred/hot/new/trusted components.
While a full XC group is of course cool...and was perhaps a "Go To" build kit for production bikes of the era, I'd like to use some "funky" stuff, which reflects the earlier days of mountain bike experimentation/production and also sprinkle in some cool American boutique parts that were available at the time.
The frameset (and Bullmoose bars) are painted in a MOPAR muscle car color called "Panther Pink". It screams mid-80s, so I want to take this aesthetic and run with it.
Original paint is BEAT. The bike is covered in chips and nicks and scratches. I plan to build it with used but well cared for parts, not NOS pieces of jewelry.
This is meant to be a "survivor" build that I intend to get dusty and dirty. Not looking for anything precious, just stuff that reflects the era, honors it's history, works well, etc. No plans to repaint at this time.
For the derailleurs, I am eyeing either Shimano XT "Deer Head" or SunTour XC.
Anyone out there have a strong preference for one over the other? If so, why?
Rear brake is an under chainstay mounted XC Cunningham roller cam.
Find another matching front? Or was there a go-to canti that I should consider?
Levers: Maguras? Big moto-style Dia Comps? Match the XC brakes?
Seatpost is a 27.0
I like the idea of an American Classic here, as it's a good place to sprinkle in the smaller American brands. Otherwise, I'll match the drivetrain.
Cranks. I figure I will find something to match which derailleur I go with. Though I did read that Cook Bros "Dog Bones" first appeared in 85. If I stumbled upon a set that wasn't $$$, that'd be cool. Triple or double?
Pedals will be classic XC bear traps.
Turbo or Avocet Touring saddle.
Wheelset is keeping me up at night...
Hubs: I would love to do era Phils here. Nutted? QR?
Rims: What were my options? Would current production Araya 7X be absolute blasphemy? If I want vintage, what other models were popular in 85?
Tires:
Since this will likely see mixed terrain and the occasional fire road, I don't need anything wildly knobby. So...Snake Bellys?
Any thoughts? Ideas? Considerations?