Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New Clyde Road Machine

I found a seller on eBay with the same year, make and model of my favorite personally owned bike. It's a 1993 GT Tequesta. He had it still in the shipping box unassembled. A brand new 16 year-old Tange Infinity CroMo steel mountain bike. Cheap. For a change of pace I wanted a road bike with index shifting as my current road bike has friction shifters (which operate smoothly). I also wanted steel and I wanted to stay with 26" tires for maximum wheel, tube & tire availability. Plus I have extra 26" wheels laying around. The Tequesta is a known quantity for me and has never let me down.

I've spent the last few days tweaking this and that and setting it up for road use. I swapped out the stock 32-hole wheels for some 36-hole wheels I had, added some slicks, installed a quill stem extender, clipless pedals, different bar wrap, lights front & rear and upgraded the rear derailleur to a slightly newer model.

I took it out for a brief maiden voyage and the smaller (medium) frame felt stiffer than my other road bikes which tend to be in the 60-62cm range. Hills were no problem at all and the bike just felt faster than my other bikes. I'm probably imagining that part. Shifting was smooth with no surprises.

Anyway, here are a couple of pics of the new beast. I wish Spring was around the corner.



http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/hawkingnovember/DSCN7069.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/hawkingnovember/DSCN7072.jpg



Here is a pic of the bike's twin sister set up for rail-trail and light offroad duty. Same year and all, just one frame size larger. Owned since new. New panniers are on the way this week. She's a good mule.


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/hawkingnovember/DSCN7054.jpg

Holy smokes! Why the really high stem/bar setup? Bad back or do you drive with your nose!:D

Nice bikes!:thumb:....I had one like that (sans highbars). I miss it!:mad:

Bad back or do you drive with your nose!:D

:roflmao: I don't know what that means, but I did laugh. I know it may look odd, but the bars are pretty much level with the seat (maybe a little higher) and then I like to have the bar ends cranked WAY up for comfort on long flat sections.

Ahhh! I guess one doesn't notice it but the bars are level with the seat aren' t they!:eek:

Either way, look like you got some good stuff on there. Man I miss my bike and my hybrid!:D

Man you just brought back some memories! I worked in a bike shop throughout high school during that time and I'm sure I built several '93 Tequestas.

I will say though that it looks like you have the handlebars oriented backwards. The ends of the bars should point toward you, not away. But hey, if you really like it that way it's your choice.

Scott

Man you just brought back some memories! I worked in a bike shop throughout high school during that time and I'm sure I built several '93 Tequestas.

I will say though that it looks like you have the handlebars oriented backwards. The ends of the bars should point toward you, not away. But hey, if you really like it that way it's your choice.

Scott

You have a good eye! A while back I found it was more comfortable to flip the bars so that the final curve fits into the palm of your hand as you ride on top of the bars, so I decided to do it with the new bike too. It also gives a nice place to hold for when you're out of the saddle pulling your way up a hill. It's pretty wild seeing the original unassembled parts and warranty cards and whatnot.