My daughter’s 1995 12" A2Z

This topic is empty.

Post

- September 18, 2012 at 3:16 pm
- Quote
neo_pop_71
Member

Hey all-

Here are a couple progress shots, it’s almost done, and I’m really pleased with the build. Cool little Cuda for my angel… proud father!!!

A few things may change but all-in-all it’s pretty well done. I’m keeping my eyes open for a XT rear derailleur to complete the build, I thought I had one stashed but it was only a DX (on a positive note, I found 2 XTR rear derailleurs that I didn’t know I had ).

Viewing 15 replies - 16 through 30 (of 36 total)

← 1 2 3 →

Replies

- September 25, 2012 at 5:20 pm
- Quote
vpc66
Member

And you still have a set…like I said ..Those things were ban from use at least here. Cool looking pedals that had good grib but my god when things turn south. I used Shimano DX with the studs which hurt like hell on a screw up but you did not bleed to death….Ahhh Memeories

P.S…….Those things should fetch a good price with the history of being taking off the market…hang on to those
- September 26, 2012 at 6:10 pm
- Quote
neo_pop_71
Member

Just pondering the idea of pulling the rigid fork off my daughter’s bike and sticking on a suspension fork. This thought never really entered my head before because I did own a spare fork. However, last Saturday morning before my daughter’s soccer game, I won a White Brothers SC-70 Country fork on Ebay for $32.99 (plus $18.00 s/h). Just like the gearing, I planned on running her first trail bike as a 1×9 but she is more than smart enough to handle gears, that’s why I ran it with the XT 3×7. Going with that same way of thinking, I’m leaning towards installing that fork and just allowing her to jump in with both feet. I know convention says let her cut her teeth first then intro the upgrades but she is a smart cookie, so why not let jump on with a steep learning curve and save that awkwardness of having to learn the dynamics of suspension.

Just a thought… interested in hearing your opinions.

Thanks!
- September 26, 2012 at 6:35 pm
- Quote
willywill
Guest

Nice rig Neo, very cool that your little one is getting into riding. Of course there will be pros and cons to either set up, but I think from a cutting her teeth perspective (and hopefully not the shins, gnarly story!) rigid would be the way to go. The unforgiving nature of the rigid setup forces one to become a better bike handler, as you no doubt have experienced in your years on two wheels. The first years on the trails will be a great time to develop mad bike handling skills that will only make riding with front or rear or dual suspension that much better. Learning how to use ones body as a shock absorber is a great technical skill and also develops alot of supporting muscles necessary for mtn biking endurance.

The big con that comes to mind is that if the rigid front end is so unforgiving that it turns her off from mtn biking. Of course trail selection would easily negate this con.

Now that I think about it though, Daddy might have to go rigid too so she doesnt think she is getting the rigid shaft!

Either way, as long as you are riding, promoting health and wellness, you really can’t lose. I couldn’t believe my ears the other day when I heard that 70% of the population in overweight and 30% is obese…sad days. Reminds me of a line in a NOFX tune…

No longer svelte, gotta punch new holes in the bible belt…

HA! Love those guys.
- September 26, 2012 at 7:56 pm
- Quote
vpc66
Member

In a way I agree with WillyWill but having gone throught it with my son I say put the suspension on but realize you are the learning curve and have to explain the hows and WHY of what you are doing and showing. When my son would screw up I would show him even if I had to break it down into steps, then if he was not to flipped out at time, get him to make the run over.
Suspension makes for a safer more enjoyable ride so why not,but as I tell my Son my belief is anyone can ride a bike fast,a good rider can go slow and still control and keep the bike up. Bombing down the trails are fun but learning to pick the lines and working the bike will come from following and hearing what you tell her from your years of riding knowledge…in the end her skills should show faster than a kid that is told to just go out and ride….My 2 cents..
- September 27, 2012 at 5:09 pm
- Quote
Derek
Member

^^^^^^what they said^^^^^^^

Aaaand if those forks have a lockout, maybe you could train her with both methods. Or maybe have her ride the same trail with the preload all the way in and and all the way out, and then let her decide.

Then ground her if she doesn’t do well.

Really tho’… I think we all started with rigids. But then I had lead based paint on my crib too.
- September 27, 2012 at 7:16 pm
- Quote
vpc66
Member

[quote=”pee30wee@yahoo.

But then I had lead based paint on my crib too.[/quote]

That explains the dream post…. 😆
- September 28, 2012 at 2:47 am
- Quote
neo_pop_71
Member

God damn pee30wee… that is some funny sh*t my man!!!

I did too, it was in everything, they thought it help build strong muscles 🙄
- October 2, 2012 at 9:20 am
- Quote
neo_pop_71
Member

Thanks for taking the time to offer your opinions, I can see both the pros and cons. However, the decision may have been made for me… *SUCKS* … the seller of the White Brothers fork has taken the dough and nothing for 10 days! Not a single reply to my emails, no fork, just nothing! I guess the guy wasn’t cool with the $32.00 auction closing price! Man up, you know, don’t be a be’yotch! The least he could do is return the money to Paypal… nope… now I have to go after this fool on top of being screwed out of my fair’n’square winnings!

The up side, I did score a SDG “Slim Jim” titanium rail and Kevlar saddle for Pee-Wee’s Barracuda. The Ebay seller accepted my “Best Offer” of $20.00 (free shipping included), maybe that’s a lot for a used saddle but all my trail bikes have SDG seats. Plus, it’s period correct and matches so well… I know how the details matter to you ‘Cuda divas!!!
- October 2, 2012 at 1:14 pm
- Quote
vpc66
Member

‘Cuda divas!!!… 😆 ……Well from the first post I read I know I am out of that group 😥

Not sure if it matters but I think it will look good on the bike…
- October 2, 2012 at 4:38 pm
- Quote
mixalive
Member

I have noticed that ebay and paypal are making it way too easy for a seller to back out of a sale. And when they refund you, they pull feedback options so you can’t notify the ebay members about the seller.
- October 4, 2012 at 12:52 am
- Quote
neo_pop_71
Member

I’m trying to be optimistic… the outside delivery date was today, I’m hoping that it does arrive in the next day or two. I can’t file a claim or do anything through Ebay before the 5th, that stinks because the auction ended on the 22nd and I paid on the 23rd. So much for a good deal if it falls apart! The guy has 200+ transactions with 100% perfect positive record, not the type of seller that I expected would welch on the sale. The only saving grace is I can leave negative feedback unless Ebay takes that away from me!
- October 4, 2012 at 2:11 am
- Quote
vpc66
Member

Hope the seller just sent it late. I did a neutral feedback on one part and Ebay was in touch with me as to what was going on and had me do a report for their records…and that was on a top seller.
- October 6, 2012 at 7:24 am
- Quote
neo_pop_71
Member

* update *

The White Brothers XC-70 fork arrived today!

It looks like the seller may have used one of those shipping centers, I say this because the auction listed the fork would be shipped via UPS, but it was delivered by FedEx. I went ahead and left the seller positive feedback but I did give him unsatisfactory marks in the “communication” portion of the feedback form since he failed to contact (even after I sent 5 messages).

For what it’s worth, pee-wee is stoked about having a fork that is the same as the one on my A2L! According to her, the Barracudas with matching White Brother forks are “sisters” and she can’t wait until she is big enough to hit the trails!

Speaking of big enough… she has decided that since she has a mountain bike like mine, she also wants a track bike like mine too. So, being the bike slut that I am, I ran out and picked her up a used 2010 Globe Roll 01 frame for super cheap. Globe is a subdivision of Specialized, centering around urban bikes. It’s great because the frame is made from double butted Reynolds 520 CrMo tubing, it has adjustable track drop outs (the new models don’t), and runs standard 700c wheels. I swooped on this particular one because the frame is a small/45cm, which should be ideal for making the transition from her 26″ wheel Cuda to a 700c (29’er) single speed. The bonus for me, when she outgrows the frame, I’ll simply yank the parts and install them on her next larger track frame. She loves the frame but isn’t crazy about the gray color (I like it), she asked if we could paint it, so I’m planning on taking it my buddy that has a paint shop and have him paint the frame turquoise (pee-wee’s favorite color).
- October 7, 2012 at 12:05 am
- Quote
vpc66
Member

AGAIN…VERY COOL! The little one is so lucky and you as well. Will be nice to see that build moving along also. Have check small road frames for my son as well…but I stick to the though of waiting for him to grow a bit more after all I am a small guy and I have two Road bikes just siting there. Hope to see pic’s come up as the bike is built same as the little Cuda which so glad all work out with the forks.
- October 7, 2012 at 4:12 am
- Quote
neo_pop_71
Member

Thanks vpc66!

I’m really glad it all worked out in the end! For now, maybe because I expected the sale to fall through, I’ve decided to stick with the rigid “XX” fork that came with the frame. What helped solidify my decision making process was the 80mm NOS “BARRACUDA” logo quill stem I bought for the build plus it also has a new Odyssey TORO needle bearing headset. The bike is just about ready to roll, if I swap the fork now I lose all the new parts I mentioned, and I have to spend more money on a new threadless headset plus a threadless stem. Pee-wee’s notion of “sisters” with matching Barracudas is going to have to wait for now. She can start out by cutting up the trail on a rigid steel mountain bike… just like her old man did in ’85 on a second hand 1981 Ritchey Everest (what I consider my first legit trail bike). In fact, I think I’m going to pop in and see my buddy at my LBS, buy some housing and cables, and finish up her bike tomorrow!

Thanks for helping to inspire me to finish up the build, I was sort of dragging my feet with regard to the White Brothers fork and all the parts I’d be wasting plus those I’d have to buy!!! Hopefully I’ll get some decent shots up too!