Scarab Cycles Darien! Caution - MTB Content Ahead

[livesadventure]

Now that it has been officially released at the Made Bike Show in Portland, I'm pleased to share my latest custom project and second with Scarab Cycles in Colombia. The Darien is a versatile hardtail that will cover anything from XC shredding to remote bikepacking to Marin "gravel" riding.



My Darien is built around a RockShox SID Ultimate Race Day with 120mm of travel and is combines my fit numbers with their take on hardtail geometry. It's quite close to a few bikes I've ridden, so when Scarab and I began the conversation of building me one of the first models, I was very excited.



Build will be straightforward - Roval Wheels, AXS shifting, Shimano Braking. It should ship from Colombia soon and I'll relish the simple build. I'll slowly update this thread with some of the process photos they generously shared throughout the build.



Here's a paint tease in the meantime - the bike is the same Hojas de café scheme as my Letras Disc, with a deeper red and lighter champagne than that bike.

[EB]

Oh that bike was yours? very very nice. Excited to see ride reports. The design and paint matched fork is a very nice touch.

I'd suggest investing in Ridewrap's steel mtb protection kit, Scarab's paint is not (as I recall from owning one) very durable for dirt riding, compared to powder coat. https://www.ridewrap.com/us/en/produ...tection-kit-cs

They also make fork kits: https://www.ridewrap.com/us/en/forks...rotection-too/

[madsciencenow]

beautiful paint and I'm gonna agree with previous poster about getting something to protect that paint. No first hand experience but it's just too purty to let it get damaged.

[cgolvin]

Super nice, Luc.

[O.Moss]

Wow wow, that paint job is spectacular.

[Nimrod]

That looks exquisite.

[XXtwindad]

Wow! Looks incredible Luc! (I would be freaked out by paint chipping…but that’s just me)

On topic and an ‘evergreen’ question: what trails do you use the MTB for in Marin. Or, put another way, what trails is your gravel bike underbiked? Eldridge Grade? Dias Ridge? I’d love to get your feedback.

[livesadventure]

A quick peek at the bike before I take some proper photos. She’s a beaut and a blast


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Grateful Rider]

That is a beautiful bike and solid build. Can feel your new bike joy!!

[livesadventure]

Here’s the bike a little dirty, build list is as follows:
2023 Scarab Darien
Custom geo (near medium) with hojas de cafe paint (lava red pearl, tobacco, champagne)
rockshox sid ultimate race day remote 29" 120mm painted to match
X01 AXS shifting
XX1 crank, cassette and chain (34/10-52)
XTR 2 piston brakes
White Industries T47 Dub BB, Mucoff pre-load collar
Ritchey WCS C260 80mm stem
Bontrager XC bars
Rockshox AXS Dropper
Specialized Power Pro Mirror
Specialized Roval Control wheelset
Specialized Ground Control S-works tires
Specialized S-works rib cages
XTR Pedals
Wolf Tooth seatpost clamp and headset.