Private Repress Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 I’ve been really getting into ‘underbiking’ recently, which for those not familiar with the term basically means using a bike that is not all that well equipped for the ride you take it on. I’ve built a fair few 90s mountain bikes, even welded disc mounts to one. If you haven’t tried underbiking, you absolutely should - it’s incredibly good fun and relatively cheap- you can get a 90s or early 2000s MTB for peanuts. I’ve done a fair few rides on my local trails on fully rigid old skool bikes with v brakes and it really does make a mundane route (when ridden on on a full susser) come to life with new challenges to overcome. But it did get me thinking about a hardtail with front suspension for something in-between. A Cannondale in blue and yellow with a headshok was a bit of a dream bike when I was starting trials biking in the late 90s. Having been to see Martyn Ashton a month back do a talk about his career, it reignited my want for an old Cannondale. I was lucky enough to have an ashton beast of the east way back when which I massively regret letting go. We’ve all been there eh! A bit of eBaying and I found a seemingly good example in XL that looked fairly original from the photos: The main issue was it was in London, I live in Nottingham and posting wasn’t an option. So after work one night I decided a road trip was in order. I knew immediately that stem was going to feel awful for the more upright riding position I’ve become used to. The stars kind of aligned as I managed to find a 90mm more modern version in the relatively rare 1.56 inch steerer tube clamp size. To top it off, it was also in London, 15 minutes from where I would collect the bike. The stem is a bit high on rise but needs must until something lower becomes available. Upon collecting the bike, it was immediately obvious it was completely original. Even down to the Hutchison mosquito tyres. I was blown away by how good condition it was in. Even the Julie brakes were sharp, surprisingly so! That said my intention was always to tweak the bike with components that were up for a bit more ‘abuse’. I still like the odd bit of trials when out on the trails. Fast forward to today…. I’ve changed almost every part 🤦🏻♂️ It’s almost in its final form. As mentioned, I’d love a lower stem, possibly shorter. Bits I’ve changed: Wheels: WTB i23 rims, built onto hope pro 2 hubs. Relatively light weight and super reliable. Tyres: originally I had billy bonkers, but they were awful on mud. These are made by baldys. A budget brand but my goodness are they an improvement. Really impressed with them. And they have a little bit of a retro look. Thanks to Alex Shovlin for the recommendation. Brakes: keeping the magura theme going, I used a set MT Trails, running them the opposite way around though, 2 pot on front and 4 pot at the rear (once a trials biker… always a trials biker). Running gear: Shimano deore 10 speed shifter, clutch mech and cassette: 42-11t. Chain is a KMC. Cranks: RaceFace turbine LP cranks, with a blackspire snaggle tooth 36t NW ring. I did run some polished middleburns with a beautiful Medium chainring, but they are far too ‘blingy’ for this build and looked so out of place. I do have an another project they should work well on though. Pedals: some cheap but cheerful plastic ones from Ali express. They are temporary whilst I rebuild some DMR vaults (Brendog signatures) Bars: my least favourite bit, nuke proof bars, they feel okay, but I’d like some thing with a bit more rise (2.5inch), preferably a glossy black finish for when I replace the stem…again. Seat: coda 700 (selle italia) to replace the cannondale saddle that came on it. The yellow logos were much needed, it’s also a very similar profile to to a flyte saddle, which I like. Having been out on a few local rides, I’ve fallen in love with it. The long top tube and shorter stem makes for a modern feeling bike with your weight planted quite centrally. I’ve been riding it on routes that I would have previously ridden a 2015 cannondale trigger full susser. It’s nailed them, and made it much more fun in the process. I also left my mates behind on this… which I haven’t done for a while on the trigger. The perfect bike for such rides. The headshok has really taken me by surprise, this one has 80mm travel, works well and exceptional over small bumps due to the no stiction design with needle bearings. I’m sure my view will change when it comes to servicing it though 😂 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Repress Posted December 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 A couple more ‘under bikes‘ I’ve been working on: 1995 Alpinestars CR400 Built as a low maintenance mud machine for winter riding. A few finishing bits to add. and this is a 1998 Sunn Tonic: This is my street ripper. It will be a 1x soon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rbjtx Posted July 19 Report Share Posted July 19 Love the Cannondale. I have the exact bike in a med that I am also updating. In my younger days I rode this bike with the long stem and flat bars but I’m too old for that now. I found the stem I think you are looking for. It’s a stem from Reverse Components and it looks like what you’re looking for, here is the link: https://reverse-components-usa.com/products/reverse-s-trail-cannondale-stem?variant=42416991666326¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-06-04&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhfjKtL6zhwMVLHZ_AB3-pgJdEAQYASABEgKfXPD_BwE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted July 19 Report Share Posted July 19 Sorry, but I am going to have to rant on the title of this one. Underbiking is such a stupid marketing term from the folks that insist you need a trail bike, a downcountry, an enduro, and all mountain and so on. And while I have as many bikes as digits on my hands and feet of many disciplines (though only one "modern" trail bike (a 5010) and a DH bike for the lifts) I think the term is just silly. I still rock my 98 Cannondale hardtail quite a bit and as videos from pros show a good rider can do lots on any bike. Would I take it on the double blacks at Whistler or the Hardline course? Of course not. Can it do a lot more than the industry trying to sell me newer faster lighter more more more says, you bet. Ride bikes! Ride what you got! Have a blast! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted July 19 Report Share Posted July 19 1 hour ago, PeterH said: Sorry, but I am going to have to rant on the title of this one. Underbiking is such a stupid marketing term from the folks that insist you need a trail bike, a downcountry, an enduro, and all mountain and so on. And while I have as many bikes as digits on my hands and feet of many disciplines (though only one "modern" trail bike (a 5010) and a DH bike for the lifts) I think the term is just silly. I still rock my 98 Cannondale hardtail quite a bit and as videos from pros show a good rider can do lots on any bike. Would I take it on the double blacks at Whistler or the Hardline course? Of course not. Can it do a lot more than the industry trying to sell me newer faster lighter more more more says, you bet. Ride bikes! Ride what you got! Have a blast! I reckon Mr @Private Repress will be after those CODA cranks from you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted July 24 Report Share Posted July 24 On 7/19/2024 at 11:07 AM, monkeyseemonkeydo said: I reckon Mr @Private Repress will be after those CODA cranks from you!! Well he can take a long walk off a short pier if he is after mine. If you know what they are and how cool they are then you know how they are not easy to come by. I worked hard to get those on the bike because they are actually my second pair. The ones below were on one of Missy Giove's bikes I bought back in the day, but they are slowly disbonding and I have a long term project to dissolve the adhesive and re-glue them at some point, but yeah, lots of those things on the list. They look way better with the big logo though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Repress Posted July 27 Author Report Share Posted July 27 On 7/19/2024 at 5:12 PM, Rbjtx said: Love the Cannondale. I have the exact bike in a med that I am also updating. In my younger days I rode this bike with the long stem and flat bars but I’m too old for that now. I found the stem I think you are looking for. It’s a stem from Reverse Components and it looks like what you’re looking for, here is the link: https://reverse-components-usa.com/products/reverse-s-trail-cannondale-stem?variant=42416991666326¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-06-04&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhfjKtL6zhwMVLHZ_AB3-pgJdEAQYASABEgKfXPD_BwE Thanks Dude, funnily enough I’m running that exact stem now, ended up swapping mine with a chap in outside of the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Repress Posted July 27 Author Report Share Posted July 27 On 7/19/2024 at 5:33 PM, PeterH said: Sorry, but I am going to have to rant on the title of this one. Underbiking is such a stupid marketing term from the folks that insist you need a trail bike, a downcountry, an enduro, and all mountain and so on. And while I have as many bikes as digits on my hands and feet of many disciplines (though only one "modern" trail bike (a 5010) and a DH bike for the lifts) I think the term is just silly. I still rock my 98 Cannondale hardtail quite a bit and as videos from pros show a good rider can do lots on any bike. Would I take it on the double blacks at Whistler or the Hardline course? Of course not. Can it do a lot more than the industry trying to sell me newer faster lighter more more more says, you bet. Ride bikes! Ride what you got! Have a blast! Sorry the title has angered you Peter. I have taken this cannondale down a fair few black routes at various trail centres, with many saying that bike won’t make it down there. In that sense I think the term under biking makes sense. I’m not precious about it though. I’m totally in agreement that people should ride what they have, and make the most of them. That’s what I’m all about. And no I’m not after the cranks. Very happy with the raceface’s. I tend to do the odd bit of trials when out and about so passed up a sent of magic cranks due to the lack of / price of BB’s in the event I needed to replace. Loving your bike though, looks a lot of fun. I really rate a Headshok. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Repress Posted July 27 Author Report Share Posted July 27 A few riding clips for anyone interested: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6RFfiPstKp/?igsh=YnpqNThueGRxcGU= https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5o04CtsDaS/?igsh=MWlmeTVvcnN4eWc3dQ== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9lRQ6sooEW/?igsh=YTNzcmNteGsydDlu https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9lPqXuocHm/?igsh=MTl3YWMwd3A2b2FpYg== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9BL86RIOJ1/?igsh=ZTM3Y3Jsd2EzN2gy https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7BWjbjsFd9/?igsh=MWxpczk0c2NicHd2bA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6KfiFKoNIL/?igsh=dzZseWxldHlyY29r 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Repress Posted July 28 Author Report Share Posted July 28 Another little project underway: The paint looks nice in the pics, but it’s awful in person. So this will eventually be red. not going to be a full Ashton replica, but heavily inspired by. I’ve been building bikes that I can ride some distance on, but also slam the seat so I can do the odd bit of trials when I’m out and about. The builds have been a higher ratio of ‘bike ride ability’ than trials, so with this one I’m trying it the other way around. I figured a 16inch M800 Beast of the East would be a good starting point. what’s left to do: Bar and stem will change front rim swap to a cd Mavic disc rim rear HS33 front disc brake (not sure what yet) Wide range cassette and clutched rear mech extend the fork steerer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamc04 Posted July 28 Report Share Posted July 28 Love these bikes so much, also the riding clips on your Instagram! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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