1987 GT Transit

There is almost always a story behind every bike I build. Perhaps I am just a sentimental fool because a bike is just a bike, right? Well, not really, at least to me. There must be a certain level of connection between bike and rider or else, there is just no reason to ride that particular bike. Maybe this GT Transit will explain what I mean.

This bike was put on sale for a long time, nobody seems interested in it and I was rather surprised because I thought it is quite an interesting bike. The owner did not say much in his advertisement either, so maybe that's why it did not drew much response. I decided to take a look and see if it can be a fixer upper. The owner was very nice gentleman with a sad story to tell. At age 45, his spine is giving him problem and cycling is something he had to give up. This bike was his commute bike, using it for quick runs to the food courts and supermarket. There are some other personal details which I will omit but sufficed to say that it is indeed a sad story. I decided to buy the bike to remind myself how lucky I am to be healthy and this bike personifies it. I told the owner I will restore it as much as possible to its former glory. He told me he bought the bike off an elderly man and thinks the bike was brought it from New Zealand. Originally, it has a 7 speed internal gear drivetrain. However, since it was rather old, I decided to restore it with modern parts but keeping to the original design of the bike.

As usual, the bikes I buy are never in good condition. Being a steel bike, rust was starting to show in areas where the paint came off. Armed with paint remover and plenty of sandpaper, the frame was stripped and all traces of rust removed. Next thing to do was to apply a corrosion prevention primer.

I had a few cans of spray paint and decided to use them instead of buying new ones. Not a good idea because the nozzles were clogged and the paint came out in droplets instead of a mist. However, it sort of gave the bike some character, with its rough finish. I would have liked it to be smooth and shiny but the final result was not too bad either.

After weeks of work, this is the final result. The bike looks great and I kept to the retro theme.

The drivetrain is a Nexus 3-speed internal gear with coaster brake. I could have gone with the original 7-speed but I figured 3 is enough since the purpose of this bike is mainly for commute to the food courts just like how the previous owner was using it.

The brake levers were a rare find! They are originally red.

The Nexus drivetrain works very well. Simple and effective. The ratio between each gear is quite large but I do not really care. This bike is about going out for a ride, the speed do not matter.

A rear bag was installed for putting stuff like food and other things.

A raised handlebar means a very comfortable riding position.

While the bike looks docile, there are some racy parts like the Mavic rims and 105 hub.

Both wheels were built by me. Wheel building has been a skill I have always wanted to achieve and I am glad I have finally achieved it.

Good old cantilever brakes, not the most effective but they do not give you much problems.

Of course, the Ferrari leather saddle is a natural choice.

The chainring is a Shiman Dura Ace 39T.

The sticker that shows the bike was sold in New Zealand.

Coaster brake, also not very effective but it works.

2012 Polygon Collosus AX 3.0

One of the bike shop that I like to visit is Rodalink Jurong East. They have a wide range of bikes and accessories and most important, they carry the full range of Shimano parts. They are also the main distributor for Polygon bikes. According to their website:

"For the past two decades we have been passionately creating bikes for customers to ride. Our bikes are meticulously designed by a team around the world and manufactured in world class manufacturing facilities in Indonesia. Polygon is a group of riders who just happen to be engineers, industrial designers, and creative thinkers based in North America, Europe, and Asia. We work hard to keep our designs fresh and authentic with the global market in mind. We control every step of the manufacturing process to ensure that all of the bikes are assembled to our high standard. Several competitors at the highest level of competition such as Mick Hannah, Tracey Hannah, Andrew Neethling, Jamie Nicoll, Fabien Cousinie, and Sam Reynolds have become believers in the effort we have put into design and manufacturing."

Although I visit the shop often enough, I never really gave the Polygon bikes more than a second look. Perhaps, subconsciously I do not have high regards for bikes made in Indonesia. Well, it is a little bit of an elitist attitude but somehow, the bikes somehow never catch on with me. Things changed somewhat when a friend of mine bought a full suspension frame from the shop. It was a 2012 Collosus FR full suspension frame and it was on sale. Some of you might remember I bought and returned a full suspension Pivot Mach 429 frame due to a damaged head tube. Since then, I have always been on the look out for a replacement. Anyway, he told me that the frame was rather well made and that I should take a look. Besides, it was a quarter of the price of the Pivot. Surely, I thought to myself, it cannot be that good. I was proven wrong. 

The first thing I noticed was the weight of the frame. For a bike that is loaded with pivots, shocks, fenders, etc...it was surprisingly 'light'. You cannot expect a full suspension to be as light as a hardtail and it should not be. A full suspension needs to take a lot of beating and strength is paramount. Well, you could take the carbon fiber or titanium route but you have to pay a lot more. Comparing the Collosus aluminium frame to the Pivot, there was hardly much difference. The picture shows the FR2 which is almost the same as the AX 3.0.

The second thing I noticed was how well the frame was made. The weldings are nice and even, nuts and bolts are made of good material and attention to details like bolt on cable holders, built-in rear fender are well thought of. The rear shock is a Fox Float Factory RP23 with 150mm of travel. It would have been perfect if it was a 29er but I am glad it is a 26er as I found out the hard way that a small guy like me would find it easier to move a 26er on the trails. But that's another story. 

This is Colossus AX3 v.1. Why v.1? Well, over time you will realise that I have 3 of the same frame but the intent is to set them up differently. So, here we go with v.1. 

This set up is for cross country, enduro rides. 

Its not as aggressive as a DH bike. 

The front fork is a Rockshox Sektor with 150mm travel. I am biased towards Rockshox simply because they have never failed me. Their prices are also reasonable but more importantly, they work really well. 

A FSA 685mm straight handlebar instead of a riser bar. A riser handlebar would put me in a more upright position but my preference is more towards a lean forward kind of position. 

Shimano Deore brakes provide the braking power. 

The tapered head tube provides good strength to the frame. 

The 60mm stem came from a Specialized DH bike but it is too short for my liking. It will be switched for a 70mm stem. You may ask, does 10mm make such a difference. The simple answer, yes. 

Selle Italia SL saddles are the most comfortable, bar none. One by one, most of my saddles are being replaced by this model. They are not the lightest or flashiest but when your bum does not hurt during a long ride, who cares. 

The rear suspension is a Fox DHX Air with 215mm of travel. 

Chain stay cover provided by Polygon. Such small touches shows the company thinks about their customers. 

A Deore rear derailleur completes the drivetrain. I might swop it for an XT rear derailleur next time. 

First ride today on a muddy trail and around a sandy stretch of road around the reservoir. What a blast! I've done this route many times with hard tails and front suspension. Nothing beats going around them on a full suspension bike.

Mud, mud and more mud!

A very satisfying build without spending a bomb. 

2015 Colnago CX Zero EVO (Sold)

The 2015 Colnago CX Zero Disc is designed for the endurance rider. With its classic geometry, Disc brakes and Ultra spec this bike will push your boundary's and keep you going for longer.

The CX Zero EVO

The CX Zero EVO is the bike for endurance. A professional level racing frame, proven in the Spring Classics in Europe, the CX Zero Evo strikes a perfect balance between performance and comfort. The most versatile Colnago model, the CXZero Evo has been developed to meet the demands of cycling in the greatest range of conditions. “Classic” geometry for fit combines a taller head tube and slightly shorter top tube. This allows a more relaxed position of the shoulders and arms and a more open angle between the torso and thigh for more efficient pedaling during even the longest days in the saddle. The tube shapes of the rear triangle are designed to offer maximum vertical compliance while allowing clearance for up to 25mm tires.

The endurance geometry arises from the extent of the steering tube, which is considerably longer than the classical racing. The reason is essentially linked to two factors: the need to raise the position of bust and shoulders, then relax your arms slightly and shorten the top tube. The higher head tube, also promotes the driving of the bicycle in all situations by making the front end also more comfortable. The conical shape is characterized by the double diameter of 1-1/8 "at the top and 1-1/4" in the lower. The larger diameter also increased corresponds to the shape of the fork crown and seat stays, mix that improves the aspect of safety and better handling.

Shimano 11 speed drivetrain

To power this bike not only involves you but a good drivetrain system. This year Colnago have spec'd up the CX Zero with the new Shimano Ultegra 11 speed. With its light action and smooth indexing allows you to push that little bit further but supply you with the confidence and the reliability that Shimano offer with their products.

Shimano hydraulic brakes

The all new Shimano dropbar hydraulic brakes give the Colnago CX Zero the stopping power it needs down the hills. The dual piston caliper ensures even brake wear and a greater performance. Its STi shifting mechanism offers the 11 speed drivetrain an economical brake/gear lever but a smooth and elegant change gear.

DT Swiss Wheelset

The CX Zero Evo disc is rolling on a set of DT swiss R24DB wheels rapped in Continental Grand Sport Race 700x25C. These will supply you with the comfort, grip and speed to make those long distance endurance rides that little more enjoyable. 

Colnago/Deda Finishing kit

Colnago finish there bikes of with a combination of self branded parts and the Deda range, such as handlebars, stem and seatpost finished of with a Selle Italia saddle.

About the Colnago brand

Ernesto Colnago was born in Cambiago, a small rural village twenty kilometers east of Milano on February 9, 1932. Ernesto was just 13 years old, but to start work, he had to be at least 14. He changed the date on his working papers and so was hired as an assistant welder. It was 1954 when Colnago went out on his own in a tiny little workshop, his bicycles have been used by more than 100 professional team, 2,500 professional racers, who have won more than 7,500 wins worldwide. Champion riders of the caliber of Fiorenzo Magni, Gastone Nencini, Eddy Merckx, Giuseppe Saronni, Gianni Motta, Gibì Baronchelli, Michele Dancelli, Gianni Bugno, Oscar Freire, Johan Museeuw, Tony Rominger, Pavel Tonkov, Yaroslaw Popovych, Erik Zabel e Alessandro Petacchi, and many others, have ridden Colnago Bicycles to victory. As the great researcher and innovator he is, Colnago created the first frameset in carbon fiber in collaboration with Ferrari Engineering in 1986. The next year, the innovative straight-blade “Precisa” was created. In 1989, two years later, the dramatic Colnago “C35” emerged, an innovative monocoque carbon fiber frame in road racing & mountain bike versions. 1994 was a hallmark year when Colnago introduced the ground-breaking “C40” carbon fiber frameset for his 40th anniversary and still a reference point today. No other frame has won as much as the Colnago C40: 5X Paris-Roubaix and many World Championships. In 2000 another remarkable model emerged from Colnago’s atelier: the limited edition CF1, created in collaboration with Ferrari that quickly became a major success. Next was the CF2 dual-suspension mountain bike in 2002. After ten years of success in every segment, Ernesto Colnago launched the “C50” in 2003. It was the Fiftieth Anniversary of his company, a brand that has become synonymous with the best bicycles the world over, synonymous with the best products Made in Italy. This new carbon fiber composite frame quickly found success in both the competition and sales arena. And for 2004, for the official anniversary of Colnago, a special collectors item bicycle was created, the “50th Anniversary”. Ernesto Colnago continues to dream about and create bicycles appreciated by riders passionate about cycling all over the world. Don’t ask Colnago which of his bicycles is the best: his answer is always the same. “I’ve made a lot of bicycles, but the most beautiful is the one that is yet to come.” For more info on Colnago please feel free to view Bike Radar's article on them.

Top Features of the Colnago CX Zero Disc Ultegra 2015

Full carbon fiber CX Zero frame and fork

DT Swiss Disc specific wheelset

Continental Grand Sport Race tyres

Shimano Hydraulic dropbar brakes

Shimano 11 speed Ultegra drivetrain

Colnago/Deda Drivetrain

Product Data

Road:	Yes
Number of gears:	22
Front Axle Type:	9mm QR
Cable Routing:	Internal
Model Year:	2015
Frame:	CX Zero Carbon Disc Specific Frame
Fork Material:	Alloy/Carbon
Fork:	CX Zero Carbon Disc Specific Fork
Steerer:	Tapered 1 1/8 - 1 1/4
Bottle Cage Mounts:	Double
Front Derailleur Mount:	Braze On
Dropouts:	Replaceable Rear Derailleur Hanger
Wheel Size:	700c (622)
Wheelset:	DT Swiss R24DB
Groupset Manufacturer:	Shimano
Brake Levers/Gear Shifters:	Shimano Ultegra
Front Derailleur:	Shimano Ultegra
Rear Derailleur:	Shimano Ultegra
Brake Type:	Hydraulic Disc Brake
Brakes:	Shimano BR-RS685
Brake Calipers:	Shimano BR-RS785 + SM-RT99
Chainset type:	Compact
Chainset:	Shimano Ultegra
Chainring Size:	50 Tooth, 34 Tooth
Chain:	Shimano Ultegra
Bottom Bracket:	Shimano Pressfit
Cassette:	Shimano 105
Cassette Range:	11-28 Tooth
Handlebars:	Deda RHM02
Bar Tape/Grips:	Black
Stem:	Deda Zero One
Seat Post:	Colnago CX Zero carbon
Saddle:	Selle Italia X1
Tires:	Continental Grand Sport Race 700x25C
Pedals:	Supplied with basic flat pedals
Warranty:	2 year frame warranty, 12 month parts warranty

2011 Pivot Mach 429 (Abandoned)

This was a project that did not materialise. The store sent me a frame that was damaged and I had to return it. Sadly, they did not have any stock of the small size frame and so, I have to let this one go. It would have been a beautiful bike. 

The Mach 429 has won awards and high praise from the MTBR, Outside magazine, Dirt Rag, MBA as well as countless European magazines.

The Mach 429 has that special “something” that few if any other bikes can match.  Sure, you’ve heard it all before from every manufacturer advertising that their 29er accelerates and handles like a 26” bike and theirs feels better then everyone else’s.  The difference with the Mach 429 is that IT DOES, and has countless reviews to back it up.  The combination of dw-link suspension and Pivot engineering results in a bike that makes the ground beneath you nearly disappear and delivers acceleration, stiffness, traction and precision that can’t be matched.  It’s light, nimble, and stable; inspiring confidence whether you are racing or just riding your favourite trail.  When you throw a leg over the Mach 429 you know immediately that you’re riding the most efficient and fastest 29er full suspension bike in the world.

Features:

• Material: Mach 429 Alloy
• Suspension: 8 bearing dw-link® and high-modulus carbon rocker
• Fork Compatibiltity:100mm or 120mm
• Shock: Fox RP23 Boost Valve shock
• Rear Travel: 100mm
• Head Tube: Tapered fork-compatible oversize head tube (with Cane Creek XX headset) for increased front endstiffness and control.
• Bottom Bracket: BB92 bottom bracket
• Front Derailleur: Direct mount

• Technologies:

  • Dw-link® Suspension: One of the primary benefits of the dw-link® suspension design is position-sensitive anti-squat. Put simply, the dw-link® is the first and only suspension design that takes into account the rider’s weight and position on the bike (i.e. the rider’s centre of mass). When you stand up to sprint or shift your weight back to climb, your weight along with the force on the pedals is the dominant force on the suspension. This bob or “squat” caused by the rider’s mass shift is a good part of the reason why ProPedal, SPV, Brain, lockouts, and a host of various other “platform damping” solutions exist: to resist suspension bob and squat. With the dw-link®’s anti-squat design, the dual suspension links are positioned in such a way that your weight shifts do not result in unwanted suspension movement or “squat” under power. This allows for tuning of the rear shock with lighter valving, making the bike free to absorb bumps and follow the terrain better.

Mongoose Meteore 29er

Its the same old story. Many spare parts lying around, need to clear, find a frame, put them on, sell the bike, recoup some money and build again. That's the plan but it always ended up stopping short of the selling part. This time, my excuse is that this will be the bike I will bring over to my Thailand home. Lets see if it will materialise.

The frame is a Mongoose Meteore 29er. It came from a friend who wanted the parts but not the frame. It was rather cheap to inherit and that has always been my preferred mode of bike building; buy them cheap and and sell them for a reasonable profit. People need to understand that the physical aspects of the bike is not everything; the effort in putting it together and making sure everything works well is something money cannot buy. Its call experience and unless you have been there and done it, be nice to your bike builder.

The stance of the bike is rather compact and it actually is. For a 29er, it doesn't really feel big like the Cannondale Tango.

The parts of the cockpit were transferred from the Marin Palisades Trail. That bike is undergoing some rejuvenation. The brake levers are Shimano Deore, shifters are Shimano Alivio 3 x 9, stem and handlebar are from Merida. 

The Suntour XCR fork was a clearance item from Chain Reaction Cycles. Its an air fork, so its actually quite light for a suspension fork. Not really plush but it works well.

At long last, the Sugino-Colnago crank is put to good use. I think it has finally found its home on the Mongoose. This is a terrific crank but its not for the weak. With a 48T chain ring, you better make sure you have strong legs to move the bike that is not on the lightweight side. A Shimano Deore front derailleur takes care of the front shifting.

Shimano Alivio 9 speed rear derailleurs do the job. Nothing flashy, you shift, it moves; that is all that matters.

The wheelset came from a Giant Momentum (http://www.momentum-biking.com/us). The rear hub was replaced by a Chosen 'loud hub' and it lives up to its name! You don't need a bell, a few backward turns of the crank and the whole world will know you're coming. More importantly, they are really smooth.

My favourite seat. Nothing more to say.

I don't really like cables that stretches from source to component. The long cable housing does not provide the 'crispiness' compared to bare cables. Tuning it is quite frustrating at times because besides the cable stretching, the cable housing is also stretching.

How it looks from the rider position.

Overall, it is a nice bike. Its not something I will hop on if I want an easy ride but I will take it on the trail anytime.