Monstermash

So... I've had a few of these bikes. There's something about the frame design that just speaks to me. But for some reason I always end up selling them after I spend all the time and money to build it just the way I want it. Some of you may have seen the latest latest one I built earlier this year. I ended up selling it because of a momentary lapse of reason and the black (while very cool) kinda bored me soon after I built it. Well that, and someone gave me $1000 for it.

Here is the thread on that build in case you missed it. It may give you some clue as to what I'm going to be up to with the one I bought today.

https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...ld-modify.html

Here are the photos of the one I bought today. I have a few ideas of what I may do but I wanted to get some input from you guys as to what you think would look better. Here are my thoughts as to what I may do. Tell me what you think...

1. Pearl White with Red logos/graphics
2. Polished frame with a USA theme. Red, White, and Blue stripes/graphics
3. House of Kolor's Tangelo Pearl Orange with White logos/graphics
4. House of Kolor's Tangelo Pearl Orange with Brushed Aluminum logos/graphics

The last photo is an example of House of Kolor's Tangelo Pearl Orange so you can get an idea of what it looks like. It's fantastic in person!

Fell free to offer up any other suggestions you may have. I'm open to new ideas.

Monstermash

So I'm kinda surprised you guys haven't weighed in with your opinion on the new paint scheme.

I really can't decide what I want to do so feel free to give your input. Also, if anyone is good a Photoshop.... if you could take the photo of the bike and make the frame bright orange I would appreciate it. I'm kinda leaning in that direction and would like to see how it may look.

Anyway, here is what I've done so far with some parts I had laying around.

Mavic Crossride wheelset W/Michelin Run'r slick tires

Formula C1 brakes/rotors. They are not what I'm going to use but are better than the mechanical disc brakes that came on it.

Ritchey UD carbon fiber 10D bar

Ritchey UD carbon fiber top cap

Zipp Service Course 80mm stem (will change this later to match the Ritchey bar)

Specialized BG Comp grips

Shimano SPD pedals

I'm planning on upgrading the crankset, saddle, brakes, and adding a 1x10 drivetrain but I want to match the color scheme so I'm still in limbo on what components to use. I'm considering going with all SRAM X0 (Red & White) and probably will do that if I do the bike in white. Otherwise it will be all XT or XTR.

HauntedMyst

That frame is so good looking, I don't think it could be a bad color but that Tangelo is outstanding. 4. House of Kolor's Tangelo Pearl Orange with Brushed Aluminum logos/graphics is the winner though I think keeping it just orange with the headbadge is the way to go.

Monstermash

Alrighty then!

Here is the latest round of mods....

XT shifter
XT Shadow + rear derailleur
XT 11-34 cassette
XT chain
FSA Team Issue Carbon crank W/Raceface narrow wide 38t chainring.

So there's not too much left to do. Here is the list of what's left...

XT BR-8000 disc brakes to match the drivetrain
Ritchey WCS carbon matrix stem and seatpost
Specialized Romin Evo saddle (black and white)

And of course I still need to paint the thing. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the HOK Tangelo Pearl Orange but there is an off chance I may paint it white with a "Sharpie Art" paint scheme.

Monstermash

Ok, so I scrapped the 26" wheels in favor of my Crossmax SL 29er's I removed from my Carbon Sirrus because I'm returning it (mostly) to stock and selling it.

I ordered the new brakes today and a 30.9mm to 27.2mm seatpost adapter so I can use my S-Works CG-R post.

I still haven't decided on a paint scheme yet. Although I am leaning towards the HOK Tangelo Pearl Orange.

ColonelSanders

Hey Monstermash,
You seem quite experienced with Shimano's XT & XTR gear, so I wanted to get your opinion on an upgrade that I am looking at.

No matter what, I will be using a new XT shifter, but for the front derailleur, I was just going to get a new XT front derailleur, but I have found a new XTR front derailleur for a modest price increase over the XT front derailleur and I was wondering if I would notice any improved shifting by going with a XTR front derailleur, considering I'll be using a XT shifter and not an XTR shifter.

My setup also involves a Double Chainring, 10 speed.

Monstermash

Front derailleur? What's a front derailleur? Lol!

As you may have noticed, I never use a front derailleur. The only improvement will most likely be a very slight difference in weight. And not enough to make a difference. I could be wrong but I can't see spending the extra on the XTR.

ColonelSanders

I forgot about that.



Fair enough.

I'm not that much of a weight weenie, so if there is no noticeable shifting improvement I'll just stick with XT front derailleur then.

Monstermash

Good idea... then it will all match!

ColonelSanders

Yep, I'll have full XT from brakes to gears to both derailleurs to crank.

Monstermash

Excellent! BTW, what bike is it? Let's see photos of this bad Larry!

ColonelSanders

That could actually look amazing if you can get the Sharpie Art right.

ColonelSanders

Your upgrade efforts have served to inspire me to upgrade my own bike, but I will go in a slightly different direction.

I'll will do photo's and a dedicated thread once it is done, but unfortunately my bike isn't a real looker.

It is an old 1995 Trek 830 Mountain Bike, with a blackish frame that has a few scuffs and has some purple fade on the lettering of "Trek" and "Mountain Bike".

But I have some sentimental attachment to the beast and as I want 2 bikes anyway, this will give me an "upmarket beater bike" of sorts and will form the baseline for comparison against all other bikes that I test ride, when I finally get my new modern hybrid in probably 12 to 24 months time.

I may at some later date, powder coat this bike all black, but that wouldn't happen for at least 12 months, if not a few years.

Monstermash

Sounds like a cool project! Make sure you post photos!!!

Monstermash

The new XT brakes came in! These are the brand new 2015 model. They come in black this year instead of the crappy chrome.

Monstermash

So another member was kind enough to do this photoshop of the bike in orange. I think this about makes the decision for me!

giantcfr1

Very hot. My mate used to have a Monaro in a similar colour.

smyth337

Monster what's up with always going single? You don't like double's or can you get the same ride out of it? I wouldn't mind doing this with my Sirrus but I don't want to be doing super high cadence the whole time because I am missing a couple top end gears. What are your thoughts on it?

I have the 2014 Sirrus Elite Disc...it has the crappt Sora 3500's on it that I would like to change out. I thought of changing it to a drop bar with 105 5800's and using TRP disc, after seeing what you do I like it but concerned about single chain ring

Monstermash

I've found that I do not require the larger chainring on the front. With the kind of riding I do I never used it when I had it so I just started building bikes without it. On my current bike I have a 38t on the front and an 11-36 on the rear. It's pretty much the same ratio as a compact road setup.

Monstermash

So here's an update for you guys...

I finally had time to bring the frame and fork over to my buddy's shop and spend soime time in the media blasting room. I removed all the old paint and now it ready for final sanding, primer, and paint!

ColonelSanders

You should be weighing that frame and forks now that it is in that state.

Are you still going with the burnt orange look?

Monstermash

6 lbs even.

I'm pretty sure I'm going with the orange but it's really not burnt. The photoshop made it look that way but it's actually a pretty bright orange with lots of pearl in it.

Rotten

Wow, nice project. I hadn't run across that model before but now it's a must have for my next build. Thanks for showing it off. Great color choice by the way. Be sure and post some finished pics.