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Hey all,

I was over on Retrobike and stumbled across CTK’s A2X build… he finished it and ir looks great as a “Dirt Drop” bike!!! I love it as I’ve always been a Johnny T. fan and he won the World Champs on his “Dirt Drop” bike. I’ve attached a couple of pics of CTK’s bike.

Enjoy!

-D-

p.s. CTK, no offense intended man with regard to posting your bike, I just figured the gang of ‘Cudaheads would enjoy seeing your build. My apologies for beating you to post, I just figured you’re busy with your little man… future ‘Cudahead in training! How’s he doing? Do you have an updated picture for us?

Congrats! Great call Cudarider, you scored big time ! ! !

All three of those saddles cost way more than you paid for the lot! Now for those who would poo-poo this deal, yes, they are used… but after the shipping is added on, ‘Cuda is going to have three awesome saddles to try out (and pick the best for feel with the added benefit of being partially broken in) and they only set him back $14.00 each! That’s a bargain! I paid $85.00 for one of those Flite saddles on sale at Supergo 15 years ago and yes I still own it and love it!

What you don’t believe me?

Selle Italia has recently reissued the classic “Flite” saddle, their best selling saddle to date, check the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Selle-Italia-Flite-Titanium-Road-bike-saddle-re-issue-/250861436103?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a6881bcc7#ht_2200wt_1005

That’s right! A quality leather cover with titanium seat rails will set you back a cool $120.00!!! Cudarider scored the original classic in great shape for $14.00! A sweet deal and there’s no other way about it!

Thanks Cudarider for keeping me in mind… glad I could help… you find that classic Flite or SDG is not to your liking, I’ll gladly take it off your hands and let you recoup some dough!

Peace,

-D-

Saddle are so individualistic to the rider, I have each of these saddles presently on one or more of my bikes. I’ll give you my top choice for new and used:

New

1. KOOBI – hands down the best saddle I’ve ever owned, not cheap but they last forever! If you’re going to get your wallet out for one, spend a bit more and get the titanium rails… better ride than the CrMo rail KOOBI.

2. Koski Engineering – almost as good as KOOBI, you still get the leather cover and you save a bit of dough. Same deal as the KOOBI, get the Ti rails, not the CrMo rails, it makes a big difference in the ride quality after a couple of hours.

Used

1. SDG – only the titanium rail saddles, like a S2000, full Kevlar cover that’ll last forever and (big bonus) made in the USA. I don’t need any saddles but I never ever pass up a Ti rail SDG from the 90’s.

2. Specialized Body Geometry – The “Pro” model from the 90’s with the Ti rails and the leather cover (usually some chromed plastic bits too), awesome saddle for the road or the dirt! I have one on the “RASKAL”, the bike I built for Earth Day with the Nishiki Alien frame I bought for 10 bucks and a bunch of spare parts I had in sitting around.

Sorry Cudarider, I have no saddles to spare but I hope this helps in your search. Good luck!!!

-D-

Thanks Mix for the nod but this resurrection is all you, my brother! It was great to share in helping you find your Holy Grail Barracuda, conversely I about died when you told me about the crack happening on your first ride… that must have been a sickening day! I give you all the props in the world man, you deserve it! You were the one that set about finding a solution, devising a plan of action, and the execution of said plan… that was all you! Let me say, you are a clever cat, I imagined it would end with a functioning frame but I never considered it would look cleanly done! No one would ever know after a bit of touch up paint.

You didn’t have any background in a project like this, right?

Just to toss this out… have you considered some 4130 inserts for the headset? Given the track record of head tube stress cracks (remember Cudarider’s A2M? As well as the Manitou frames, the Tomac hardtails, etc.), the big difference being you’re staving off a critical problem as your head tube is intact and not in need of repairing.

Anyway Mix, I am very stoked for you… you’ve earned the right to ride that beauty! Maybe you should consider repairing other frames?!!! Ha! Just kidding my friend, now forget about the touch up paint and go hit the trail… a new maiden voyage! Enjoy!

-D-

Hey traghp1-

Cudarider is dead on! Stay away from the long travel forks that dominate the market these days, anything more than 80mm will screw up the feel and handling of the bike. I had a 85mm Manitou fork and hated it, so I switched to a 72mm White Brothers (SC72), and now the bike handles like a dream!

Good luck!