I have a modern full suspension bike. I love it. All my VRC bikes are exercises in period or near period correctness. What I didn't have, was a good ole' fashioned XC hardtail. For a short while I had a freshly restored 94 Phoenix SE. At the time I thought for sure I would never find the correct Toggle-Cam or Type II for...so I sold it.
I had the opportunity to put some saddle time on Fillet-Brazed's Phoenix on one of my local trails. A trail I had done 100's of times before. One run through a nice little single track section on the Psyclone (which I liked) and once on his Phoenix. Uh oh. Major difference. The way that WTB felt was truly amazing. Absolutely comfortable and effortless through the same pass. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise, since I like the way my Potts and Ritchey ride I suppose.
At any rate, this guy popped up on the MTBR Classifieds in the vintage section (how often does that happen!) and I swooped. Frame, Toggle, 140mm WTB hub, misc parts. A solid foundation.
Several of the other parts I already had lying around, a few items had to be sourced. The goal was to put together a classic NorCal XC MTB; modern enough to be user friendly yet still retain that VRC flavor.
Soo...this morning was my first ride on it (Kings of Kennedy Hill Climb Race) and it was everything that I expected. I need to make a few tweaks and put a lot more saddle time in on it, but what a joy. I stripped most of the worn decals. No one needs to know what this is.
Sorry for the poor quality pics.
Frame: Dec 1995 Phoenix SE, suspension corrected
Fork: Custom Hippie-Tech Rock Shox SID (2.5 lb fork)
Rims: Mavic 317 Disc front, Mavic 231 rear (Hollister built wheelset)
Hubs: Chris King Disc front, WTB Classic GG 140mm rear
Quick Release: WTB
Tires: Specialized Fast Trak Kevlar
Pedals: Shimano SPD
Crank: Cook Bros E
Chain: Sram
Rear Cogs: Something I need to change to Dura Ace
Bottom Bracket: World Class Ti
Front Derailleur: Shimano M901 XTR
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7400
Shifters: Shimano M900 XTR
Handlebars: Easton Monkeylite SL
Grips: Ritchey WCS
Stem: Ritchey WCS
Headset: Chris King No-Logo
Brake set: Avid BB7 Road front (to work with cantilever levers), WTB Toggle-Cam rear
Brake levers: Shimano M900 XTR
Saddle: WTB SSR Ti
Seat Post: Syncros 31.8 (would love to find the proper WTB post)
Paint: Forrest Green, 'Phoenix' decals removed.
Size: 15"
Serial #:
Place of Origin: Mill Valley, Ca.
As I got it.
I had the opportunity to put some saddle time on Fillet-Brazed's Phoenix on one of my local trails. A trail I had done 100's of times before. One run through a nice little single track section on the Psyclone (which I liked) and once on his Phoenix. Uh oh. Major difference. The way that WTB felt was truly amazing. Absolutely comfortable and effortless through the same pass. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise, since I like the way my Potts and Ritchey ride I suppose.
At any rate, this guy popped up on the MTBR Classifieds in the vintage section (how often does that happen!) and I swooped. Frame, Toggle, 140mm WTB hub, misc parts. A solid foundation.
Several of the other parts I already had lying around, a few items had to be sourced. The goal was to put together a classic NorCal XC MTB; modern enough to be user friendly yet still retain that VRC flavor.
Soo...this morning was my first ride on it (Kings of Kennedy Hill Climb Race) and it was everything that I expected. I need to make a few tweaks and put a lot more saddle time in on it, but what a joy. I stripped most of the worn decals. No one needs to know what this is.
Sorry for the poor quality pics.
Frame: Dec 1995 Phoenix SE, suspension corrected
Fork: Custom Hippie-Tech Rock Shox SID (2.5 lb fork)
Rims: Mavic 317 Disc front, Mavic 231 rear (Hollister built wheelset)
Hubs: Chris King Disc front, WTB Classic GG 140mm rear
Quick Release: WTB
Tires: Specialized Fast Trak Kevlar
Pedals: Shimano SPD
Crank: Cook Bros E
Chain: Sram
Rear Cogs: Something I need to change to Dura Ace
Bottom Bracket: World Class Ti
Front Derailleur: Shimano M901 XTR
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7400
Shifters: Shimano M900 XTR
Handlebars: Easton Monkeylite SL
Grips: Ritchey WCS
Stem: Ritchey WCS
Headset: Chris King No-Logo
Brake set: Avid BB7 Road front (to work with cantilever levers), WTB Toggle-Cam rear
Brake levers: Shimano M900 XTR
Saddle: WTB SSR Ti
Seat Post: Syncros 31.8 (would love to find the proper WTB post)
Paint: Forrest Green, 'Phoenix' decals removed.
Size: 15"
Serial #:
Place of Origin: Mill Valley, Ca.
As I got it.