Backyard Bike Checks: Show Your Bike Some Love and Win

Share your secret with us. How do you get your drivetrain so clean and shining.

'04 KTM Raceline 26

I Bought this bike new in '04 and it was used in it's standard form till about '17 covering roughly 15000km's. I Saw some threads around here about building monster cross and gravel bikes and decided to give it go since the old 26" was getting used less and less.

I Got hold of a Bontrager 700 disc wheelset and bought a rigid carbon fork from fellow hubber MTBTG. I Use a 11-36 cassette but the chainrings were changed to 28-44 to get a better top speed.

Shimano XT-785 2x10 grouopset

Shimano XT M8000 brakes

Bontrager 700 disc wheelset

Pirelli Cinturato Velo 700-32 tires

Ritchey Comp seat post

KTM 80mm stem

Farr Endurance carbon 720mm handle bar 

700 Carbon rigid fork

Just some side note's on all of my bike's:

1. They all got Fizik Gobi saddles fitted. They just fit my ass well.

2. They all got some version of Shimano SPD peddles fitted. I Use one pair of shoes for all my riding.

3. They all got their brakes switched to right hand front brake.

Reason for the brakes are that I started offroad and motocross riding and racing when I was 7. So after being used to having the front brake on my right hand for years I couldn't adapt to riding a bicycle with the brakes other way around.  

My just built up Fondriest TF2 (still needs a spit and polish) and waiting on colour coded bottle cages and bar tape post lockdown.

BMC Fourstroke 01

1. Frame - Full Carbon

2. Grpset - Sram XX1

3. Brakes- Shimano XT

4. Shocks - Fox

5. Pedals- Shimano Saint

6. Seat - Specialized Power Chameleon

7. Seat post - Easton carbon EA70

8. Stem - Spank oozy / Loaded carbon handlebars

9. Hubs - Tune King and Kong

10. Cage - Birzman carbon

My Trance trail bike.

This Trance started life in 2016 as a Trance 2. Between then and now I have replaced/upgraded everything except the Handlebar, Fox shock, rear brake and the crankset. The frame cracked and was replaced by a Trance 1. I love the shimmery Pearl effect in this colourway. I love the local companies, so where possible I've supported Lyne and Rapide.

Frame: Trance 1 27.5 XL

Fork: RS Pike RC 160/150 Dual Position Air

Wheels: Spez Roval Traverse. Rear Rim replaced by a Rapide 30mm

Tyres: Rear Maxxis Agressor 2.3 EXO Front Spez Eliminator 2.6 Grid 

Drivetrain: SLX 11Spd with a Rapide 32T NW Ring. Spez Chainguide that came from a Stumpjumper 

Brakes: Shimano Deore 180mm F 160 R

Pedals: Shimano M530

Saddle: Spez Henge, with a Blackburn Switch Wrap tool, tube, bomb and Lyne Led Zeppelin 

Seatpost: X Fusion Manic 150mm

Stem: 45MM Funn Stem that was a gift from the Grease Monkey with a Lyne Top Cap. 

Handlebar: Rapide 780mm  ( I should probably replace this, it's 5 years old....

Signature items:

Frame Protection ala Ezelduro, bell, zipties stashed in the crank and a space blanket stuffed in the headtube.

My On One 456 Carbon Hardtail

This is my Rooikop Skelmpie. Not my first love, nor my main, unconventionally pretty to me, so tough and yet so rewarding to spend time with. 

The bike is a mishmash of hand me down and secondhand parts. It spends most of winter as a singlespeed, and does a lot of gravel and base kilometers in summer. This bike takes everything I throw at it. Wether it's a bikepacking trip or Helderberg runs, it gladly comes back for more. Sometimes it humbles me in the process, reminding me of the bad habits I've picked up while riding the fullsus and neglecting it. It doesn't mind getting dirty and being put away wet. And it doesn't mind when I ride the big lines or attempt things that my wife would classify as stupid. 

I saw these frames the first time in MBUK magazines that I stealthily read in Afrikaans class in high school, and I've wanted one ever since. My friend Ham had this frame, and I eventually swapped it for a RS Revelation that was on my broken Dartmoor Primal (I still mourn the death of that frame.)

This frame is a bit small for me, one day when I grow up I'll probably replace the frame, or build up a new hardtail, preferably something steel with sliding dropouts. But I really don't need to, as this bike ticks all the boxes very well. 

Frame: On One 456 Carbon L

Fork: Fox F32 140mm (Trance Donor Bike)

Wheels: Giant P-XC2  (Trance Donor Bike)

Tyres: Rear Maxxis Aggressor 2.3 EXO Front Onza Aquila 2.4

Seatpost: Lyne Contour XL 150mm (I had to drill a hole in the frame for the cable) 

Saddle: Spez Henge with a Blackburn Switch Wrap, with a Ryder Slug Plug, CO2 and a tyre lever. 

Drivetrain: Deore 1x10, Sunrace 11-42 cassette, 32t Lyne NW ring, chaintamer (needs replacing) and a chainguide of unkown brand. 

Brakes: Deore with 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors. 

Pedals: Shimano XTs that are older than my marriage. with regular servicing shimano pedals lasts forever.

Handlebar: Rapide 780mm with green tape that serves as a referfence for my son to hold onto when riding with me on the Feva seat. 

Stem: 70mm Giant 

Unique touches:

Hole in seatpost where someone at On One said he would hypothetically drill it if he hypothetically would need to if he wanted to fit an internally routed dropper. Topeak Versamounts to fit a second water bottle. Zipties and space blanket stashed in crank and headtube. Don't forget the bell. 

Custom built SL4 Tarmac s-works commuter.

High gloss raw carbon off-set with metallic gold.

 

45SL carbon rims, full carbon besides stem and handlebar, Shimano Ultegra brakes, gold chain.

 

Custom respray by Andrew Harris in Durban and built by Marko from TrailWolf Cycles in Pretoria.

Detailed it myself. Machine polished all clear-coated surfaces using the Rupes LHR75E, then coated with Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light ceramic coating (5 year life span), and finally topped off with Gtechniq EXO v4 hydrophobic coating (18 month life span).

 

6kg without pedals.

BMC Fourstroke 01

1. Frame - Full Carbon

2. Grpset - Sram XX1

3. Brakes- Shimano XT

4. Shocks - Fox

5. Pedals- Shimano Saint

6. Seat - Specialized Power Chameleon

7. Seat post - Easton carbon EA70

8. Stem - Spank oozy / Loaded carbon handlebars

9. Hubs - Tune King and Kong

10. Cage - Birzman carbon

Super nice!. And very weird to see flat pedals fitted!

Super nice!. And very weird to see flat pedals fitted!

Agree. The Flats and stem had me wondering if this bike has been updated for Lock-down (backyard riding)

My Trance trail bike.

This Trance started life in 2016 as a Trance 2. Between then and now I have replaced/upgraded everything except the Handlebar, Fox shock, rear brake and the crankset. The frame cracked and was replaced by a Trance 1. I love the shimmery Pearl effect in this colourway. I love the local companies, so where possible I've supported Lyne and Rapide.

 

Frame: Trance 1 27.5 XL

Fork: RS Pike RC 160/150 Dual Position Air

Wheels: Spez Roval Traverse. Rear Rim replaced by a Rapide 30mm

Tyres: Rear Maxxis Agressor 2.3 EXO Front Spez Eliminator 2.6 Grid

Drivetrain: SLX 11Spd with a Rapide 32T NW Ring. Spez Chainguide that came from a Stumpjumper

Brakes: Shimano Deore 180mm F 160 R

Pedals: Shimano M530

Saddle: Spez Henge, with a Blackburn Switch Wrap tool, tube, bomb and Lyne Led Zeppelin

Seatpost: X Fusion Manic 150mm

Stem: 45MM Funn Stem that was a gift from the Grease Monkey with a Lyne Top Cap.

Handlebar: Rapide 780mm ( I should probably replace this, it's 5 years old....

Signature items:

Frame Protection ala Ezelduro, bell, zipties stashed in the crank and a space blanket stuffed in the headtube.

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Nice hacks! How to you get the bottle cap on there tho?

https://www.amazon.com/Niner-Bikes-YAWYD-headset-threadless/dp/B00BGDNT5S

Hi Pieter 

He has one of these on his bike...

https://www.on-lynecomponents.com/collections/incase-link-case/products/the-incase-link-case-top-cap

Nice hacks! How to you get the bottle cap on there tho?

My trusty steed. Entry level 2019 ST Stumpy

Everything is standard except:

Fork: MRP Ribbon Coil, currently set at 150mm *insert amazeballs emoj here*

Brakes: Formula Cura 2 pot

Crank: Lyne Pulse

Tyres: 2.6 Eliminator F, 2.3 Aggressor R

Pedals: OneUp comps

Grips: ECI Chunky

My trusty steed. Entry level 2019 ST Stumpy

 

Everything is standard except:

 

Fork: MRP Ribbon Coil, currently set at 150mm *insert amazeballs emoj here*

Brakes: Formula Cura 2 pot

Crank: Lyne Pulse

Tyres: 2.6 Eliminator F, 2.3 Aggressor R

Pedals: OneUp comps

Grips: ECI Chunky

 

spez1.jpg

So lekker

First up is my pride & joy - 2019 Giant Anthem Adv Pro 1 with a few upgrades.

Secondly is my Scott Scale 920 (MY 2015) which I've converted into a sort-of-gravel-bike thing.

I would still love to own a proper gravel bike with the correct gearing etc.

BMC Fourstroke 01

1. Frame - Full Carbon

2. Grpset - Sram XX1

3. Brakes- Shimano XT

4. Shocks - Fox

5. Pedals- Shimano Saint

6. Seat - Specialized Power Chameleon

7. Seat post - Easton carbon EA70

8. Stem - Spank oozy / Loaded carbon handlebars

9. Hubs - Tune King and Kong

10. Cage - Birzman carbon

Very nice build! Interesting in that:

• Stocky flat pedals on a purebred XC race machine.
• Seatpost is set pretty deep into the frame.

Is the frame not slightly too large for you? Or have you dropped the saddle and put some flats on to up the radditude level of your riding?

My first 'real' bike. bought in 2011 from Kloppers... Haven't seen the need to upgrade yet(like anyone needs a reason), but I prefer the money going into the roadie anyway(it's waiting on a few bits&bobs hence no pictures).

The wheels, pedals, fork, seatpost&saddle were all gotten for free courtesy of leHub over the years...

Ghetto tubeless and NX/GX 1x11 with a bombproof Hone crankset and chinese NW ring.

I do like the old girl...

I challenge anyone to a Clean Cockpit Battle....

Hey guys, hope you're keeping safe and servicing those steeds!

Here's my 2019 Merida One-Forty 800. Absolutely adore this bike, although very difficult to photograph!

I got creative and named her Zarachah which I made from the Hebrew word Zarach, meaning: to rise up, overcome, or make light, but most often used to describe the exact moment the light of dawn overcomes the darkness, followed by 'ah' to denote it being a 'she'. 

For now she's mostly stock except for some small accessories:

Crank brothers mallet E Pedals

Ryder slug plug and bomb mounted kit

Rockshox Mud guard

Custom Mixed sealant - fug it mixed with a dash of water and Joe's with ground black pepper granules (works well so far)

I still need to fit my Spank oozy 350 rims and hope hubs, I have the parts, busy saving for the build.

Hi There - my baby is called Sinead -  a modified Cannnondale bad boy ultra 2002 model. I changed a lot out - new long carbon fork, new brakes Shimano M7000, 11-46 Shimano gearing with 42T Sram Apex crank  , a big 203mm front brake rotor to give some more stopping power, a comfy saddle Brookes B17 and some sturdy tyres 35mm plus the topeak panniers. All this to make a comfortable ride from cape town to Windhoek which I did in Sept 2019. Not 1 puncture and only 1 broken spoke for the entire 1600 km! Very impressed especially with the stock std mavic cxp 21 rims and the load they had to carry. She is resting now but I am planning more touring in the not too distant future.A big shout out to "Cycle logic "bike shop in Hillcrest KZN esp Andrew who gave me a lot of advice and made sure my bike was in top shape for the journey.

Keep pedalling ! 

Very nice build! Interesting in that:

 

• Stocky flat pedals on a purebred XC race machine.
• Seatpost is set pretty deep into the frame.

Is the frame not slightly too large for you? Or have you dropped the saddle and put some flats on to up the radditude level of your riding?

To resolve the eternal issue of n+1, and hopefully also stem wallet hemorrhage, I committed to buying three bikes for the stable.  I did allow myself a three year period to complete this project as the bikes are all self-build on a fixed budget.  The “Trinity”, was thus a long term commitment to choosing three bikes that I would be happy with for a number of years.  So after a great deal of research, sourcing parts from all over Hubland, as well as stranger places in Tennessee, Portland and Massachusetts (US is big on hand made gravel bike associated parts), the Trinity is as follows:

The Bianchi

Being a bike racer in the 80’s, the Bianchi brand always stood out, and I promised myself that one day I would own one.  So after almost 45 years, the Sempre Pro made its appearance in my life.  The frame is 130 year anniversary edition, graced by with the necessary Campangonolo groupset. 

The wheels also have a story and I’m currently using a Darkhorse wheelset obtained from our local Zwift Academy triathlete.  I also use a set of Spinergy Xlite wheels for those beastly crosswinds here in PE.  The only future upgrade would to rid the bike of that 53 tooth monster chainring, one day should it wear out, which maybe a while.

The Momsen STF

After several cracked alu frames, I decided that my final mountain bike would have to be steel. Essentially for the purpose that if it breaks, it can easily be repaired.  This frame is probably also the one of the three that will evolve overtime the most, playing with different forks (going lighter definitely, ridged maybe).  The first successful experiment was replacing the stem with a short 60mm KCNC unit, coupled to a Spank Spoon 785mm wide bar.  The bar is too wide at times, but this bike doubles as a gravel tour bike so the additional space for the handle bar bag is welcome.

The groupset is XT 11 speed, and the most significant upgrades has been the oval chainring upfront and the South Industries / DT swiss wheelset.  The wheels replaced a long suffering set of Stans Crests, and can already say wider rims have improved my cornering ability.

The Lynskey GR260

As one can see, my search for the Trinity, included a definite theme, Carbon, Steel and Titanium.  All I can say, this bike was worth the wait, as it was close on two years of sourcing the best available parts and then making them work together.  This bike has now the daily go to bike for training, gravel cruising and exploring (Blessed to work in the Karoo and Northern Cape)

The frame is the GR260, 2018 model, paired with full Ultegra with the widest gearing possible.  The wheels were locally built by The Wheelbuilder (Thx Nicholas), that can deal with the terrain and bikepacking loads using Nextie rims and Aivee hubs.  The tyres, are currently Panaracers Gravel Kings SK+ in the unusual colour, but are long lasting and still quick on the tar.  The most unusual purchase for this bike was the $4.00, 12 to 15mm adaptor from Ti Cycles in Portland.  The Lynskey fork is 12mm dTA, while the hub is 15mm.  This is on purpose so that I can swap  wheels between the Momsen and this bike should the need arize.

I absolutely love this bike for its comfort and durability, as there no paintwork to stress about and ease of maintenance.  The only upgrade being required in the year I have now used it being exchanging the standard rear derailleur with Ultegra RX or clutched version.  The Tankwa roads were brutal on the chain and standard derailleur and gear changing on sinkplaat paaie was impossible, until the derailleur was swapped.

Hi There - my baby is called Sinead -  a modified Cannnondale bad boy ultra 2002 model. I changed a lot out - new long carbon fork, new brakes Shimano M7000, 11-46 Shimano gearing with 42T Sram Apex crank  , a big 203mm front brake rotor to give some more stopping power, a comfy saddle Brookes B17 and some sturdy tyres 35mm plus the topeak panniers. All this to make a comfortable ride from cape town to Windhoek which I did in Sept 2019. Not 1 puncture and only 1 broken spoke for the entire 1600 km! Very impressed especially with the stock std mavic cxp 21 rims and the load they had to carry. She is resting now but I am planning more touring in the not too distant future.A big shout out to "Cycle logic "bike shop in Hillcrest KZN esp Andrew who gave me a lot of advice and made sure my bike was in top shape for the journey.

Keep pedalling ! 

Nice ... where did you get your tyres from ... those are flipping hard to find in SA!

#backyardbikechecks

Trek Fuel EX 8 (2018)

Pretty stock standard except for the following:

-Maxxis Minnion DHR II Wide Trail (EXO on the front & EXO+ on the rear)

-Sram GX 11 speed shifter & derailleur running the original Eagle drivetrain (downgrade after I destroyed the 12 speed RD)

-Some inner tube dropper protection

-Marshguard & some organized cables

-DMR Deathgrips in need of replacement

-Fizik Tundra saddle

-And finally some weight savings in the form of paint removal

Nice ... where did you get your tyres from ... those are flipping hard to find in SA!

Hey Hairy, i might have a similar pair in the garage. will check and let you know.