Zaskar

... for a SS? I expected it to be light. I even joked that my goal was "sub-20 lbs." even though I really had nothing to judge it against other than my other multispeed Zaskar. Now I'm thinking - hey, swap the chromo' fork for carbon... the bar for carbon... hmmm... Nah - under 20 is plenty light for me.

1994 GT Zaskar Expert... mostly original "restored" parts

ZiP0082

sub-20 lbs mountain bike? seems great! well done -- looks sharp.

2new2this

With big tires, tensioner and both brakes, I think that sub 20 is great.

Re-Cycle

How tall are you?

skeem

for a ss mtb its real sweet. great job!

somegeek

You finished 'The SS' ? Is this an event?

Why do people refer to their items as the definite article?

palladio

Nice looking ride!

I just weighed my Soma Rush, and it came in at 19.5 lbs. I'm guessing your aluminum frame is a good bit lighter than my steel one, so you're close in weight with heavier wheels and an extra brake. That's pretty darn light for a mountain bike I would think.

I suppose with all the carbon fiber frames and parts available these days 19-20 lbs. isn't considered all that light, but it feels pretty light to me compared to everything I've ridden before.

Zaskar

Technically speaking - yeah, it's an "event" a defined task with a defined start and end point. On to another event - you checking out the 14-year-old mojo on the head tube. It went on the week I got the bike. Oddly, it has survived hundreds (thousands?) of miles on the roof on the road, numerous refinishings of the frame, the rub of brake/shifter cables... When I stripped the bike to the frame and really refinished it (000 steel wool, etc.) I couldn't bring myself to remove the sticker. The sticker looks about a week old. Given your avatar... figured you'd appreciate it.

Zaskar

6'1.5" Why?

dayvan cowboy

can't wait until i've got the funds to finish my ss mtb.

jet sanchEz

I lusted after a Zaskar for sooooo many years, I've always had a thing for the triple triangle.

That is a weird lookin' fork, got a shot of the bike from the front?

benhenley

So how do you guys weigh your bikes? a regular bathroom scale? I dont think that would work too well...

MIN 

Looks great. Stick with the steel fork!

Zaskar

I have a digital bathroom scale. I stood on the scale (on concrete floor) four times without the bike - weighed me the same thing each time... picked up the bike, stood on the scale three times... that weight was identical three times. Just subtracted my weight. For small parts, I have a postage scale - nice because of the 6x6 flat platform.

trons

how's your back?

somegeek

Something to consider - rider to bike weight ratio.

I'm 212lbs @ 6'5". My steel frame road SS weighs ~21lbs. It's not super light but it works for me and I fit on it well. I feel like I can throw it around as needed. I'm workin' to shed a few more pounds though. Folks can obsess over lightening their ride but neglect the power plant.

Bit of a rolling contradiction to see a fatty rollin on a carbon fiber bike.

somegeek

Zaskar

Back is fine. I'm assuming you're referring to that uhm, "aggressive", "boy racer", "time trial"... position with the seat high, the bars low, etc. I rode that bike in that position for 14 years. Whenever I sit on a more neutral bike, I feel like I'm on a beach cruiser... it's what you get used to I guess.

Regarding the back pain - I actually think the position on the bike works in my favor. The theory being that the more leaned forward or flat your torso, the more your legs and arms take the load/shock. If I'm on the saddle when I (unexpectedly) take a hard hit (EX: large root), my spine "rotates", e.g. hips up relative to my head. If I were in a more "modern" straight up and down position, my spine would take the load more vertically - like an accordion.

Plus, no ever asks to ride my bike

C Law

I was thinking more like if you are going down some really steep terrain you would just tip over the front of the bike.

Anyway.........really sharp looking. 20 pounds is probably about average for a med size SS MTB

Zaskar

Definitely a trade off - climbs great... but ya gotta get way behind the seat on the drop-ins, steep stuff. I rode a friends all-mountain - bars higher than the seat... I felt like I was on an exercise bike at the gym - a recumbent exercise bike

the_don

If you really want to lose some extra weight, what tubes and tires are you running?

Get some Maxxis Fly weight 330 tires, and some superlight tubes, you can probably loose another 2 lbs right there!

Also, think seatpost. Thomson Elite is really, REALLY light! I have a Thomson Elite seatpot and a carbon seatpost, the Thomson is way lighter!!!! The fork is probably fine, but think about the handlebars and stem. Don't bother with carbon. Aluminium is usually lighter for the same money.

crushkilldstroy

Not usually, but sometimes. I'd stick with al and steel for this build though, more period correct.

Anyone who is talking about his saddle/bar drop obviously wasn't riding mountain bikes in the early 90's.