Finally in the saddle again - a few pictures of my new steed

[azorr]

As many of you saw in my other thread about my bike dying, I haven't been on a bike in a couple of weeks (My stable only had 1 bike). Last night my Shimano brake fluid showed up and I was able to bleed my brakes (I botched the hose shortening procedure and lost a bunch of fluid) which was the finishing touch on my new bike (aside from tuning the fork) and I got to take it out for my first ride this morning. Here are a few pictures:








My build list is:
2008 Marin Pine Mountain frame (steel)
SLX Crank (24/32/Bash)
SLX Front Der.
XT Rear Der.
XT Cassette (11-34 9 speed)
SLX Shifters
Deore M596 Brakes (203/180 Rotors)
Sun Ringle Black Flag Comp wheels
120mm RockShox Reba w/20mm Maxle
Vee Rubber Mission Tires (F-2.4 / R-2.0)

Frame was well used, wheels were gently used and fork was NOS from 2009. Everything else was sourced from the web (Jenson, Wiggle, Bike Wagon, and Ebay mostly). My initial impression is that I LOVE this bike! Fit is much better than my old bike making for a more comfortable ride and better performance (I got lucky on this since I just guessed on everthing). Since I don't yet have a fork pump this ride was actually "rigid" with the fork locked the whole time but I hardly noticed. Between the bigger wheels, better fit, and steel frame it was as smooth a ride as my old 26" HT - It should be much better when I have suspension. I think I will name it the Franken-Pine

[Phillbo]

Awesome!

[HitmenOnlyInc]

Enjoy!!

[DustyChap]

Awesome looking ride and great pics!! Have fun!!

[azorr]

Thanks everyone. The one thing that I think I will change in the future is swap the 24/32 chainrings for 22/34. The gear range is just fine, but dumping from high to low in the front was not a very dramatic change for when I needed a big drop in gear.

[BIGHORN LEW]

Worthy goodness!

[MtbAZ44]

nice bike... love the steel frames !

[cstem]

Fantastic upgrade! If you were west side I would cay come use my shock pump to set it up!

[azorr]

Thanks! I thought about bumming a shock pump but decided to just order one, should be here in a couple of days.

Fantastic upgrade! If you were west side I would cay come use my shock pump to set it up!