My latest mad scientist project…to convert my old hardtail (1994 warranty frame replacemnet) MTB to a cyclocross/loaded touring/recovery ride bike.
It began life as a 1992 Paramount 30, red, to which I added a RockShox Mag21 the pimpingest fork back in a day. In late 1993 I discovered a crack in the right chainstay and warrantied the frame, at the time Schwinn was in bankruptcy and being bought by Scott, it took 8-10 weeks to get a replacement frame. I rode it as my primary MTB for many years until I bought my Fuel in 2002.
I rode it last night to get the fit dialed. The spacer police can kiss my butt, the bar height is right. I had to jack up the seatpost another 2 inches beyond the picture. It climbs really well (albeit very slowly) and I took it on some 12% gravel roads. The descent was only spooky because of the slicks pumped to 90 lbs.
I can’t wait for winter!
The manager of the LBS where I took it to get the headset installed said “you know you’ve been around bikes too long when a bike like this is more exciting than a new carbon frame”
specs:
frame Schwinn Moab Elite 4130 cromoly or thereabouts
fork Tange cromoly, uncut steerer until I can get the fit right
Bar: Bontraget race lite cyclocross (25.4 diameter so I can use MTB stems)
Drive train:
Original LX cranks (from 1992)
Original LX rear der.
New Deore front der
new 8-speed barcon shifters
new Sram 11-32 cassette
Wheels: LX hubs (a couple of years old) Bontrager Maverick rims, radial lacing in front
Brakes: Avid 10 v-brakes with Dia-compe 276 levers
Tires: Bontrager slicks 1.5x26
Paint: plasti-kote metalic jade green with pinstriping (Not bar for a rattle can job if I do say so my own self)
Weighs in at 24 pounds with no cages
With any luck I’ll be able to post all three pics at one go
- bike w/ cat
- bike in previous incarnation
- bike in sun
