Small part to add to the thread, concerning the threadless forks. I have a GT Borrego 93' that has a threadless set up. The HS is a Tiago alchemy. The top cap says Aheadset and Dia-comp. The forks are stamped 92 and have some name that starts with an S, has what looks like a dove or partridge right beside it.

Short version, they were around in 92-93 also.

Never noticed that was a cockroach. It looks like I have to buy a Nuke Proof or get a cockroach decal for my Specialized. Nice find.

That'll build up really nice. Congrats!
I remember Nuke Proof hubs in the early 90's - I never knew they did frames. Cool!

Is that a 1-1/4" headset?

This should be good.

Original suspension elastomers go bad after 10 years or so. Unless those have been recently replaced, you will likely need to source new elastomers to get the fork working. Alternately, you can convert the fork to use coil springs but this provides no rebound dampening like the slow-rebounding elastomers did.

The fact that the frame came with a rigid fork makes me think it dates from around 1993, give or take a year. Much later than that, it was very unusual for a high-performance oriented MTB to come without a suspension fork. Lack of a permanently mounted rear cantilever cable stop is not a dealbreaker for it being a pre-V-brake era frame.

This thing is bad arse! I've never seen the brand, but it's clearly upstream and looks fun. I'd run this anyway you want. Killer frame as a starting point, love the curved stays.

You know, I'm not actually sure. I'll have to measure when I get home. The fork is 1 1/8", but if the headset turns out to be 1 1/4", I will just run a headset reducer.

I have found a couple rebuild and travel extension kits online, I will definitely be sourcing some rebuild parts. I did however, read a thread in which someone microwaved the elastomers in a bowl of water for a couple minutes, returning them to "like factory condition." I will try this, just as a temporary fix until I get a proper rebuild kit in the mail.


Thanks for helping narrow down the year though, good insight.

Thanks, man! I hadn't heard of Nukeproof either until I started researching after seeing the frame on CL. Apparently they weren't that big of a company, and went out of business after this frame was produced. The name has since been bought and the new Nukeproof is producing downhill bikes in the UK somewhere.
I think I am narrowing down a build in my mind's eye.

The anodized red highlight idea has since shifted to anodized blue, do to the coloring on the fork.



Edit:

Got this email earlier this morning after requesting information from the company:

That fork is neat, but I'd stick with the original rigid fork if it were mine. Just sayin'. That would build up into a really, really REALLY cool fat drop bar bike.

Love the head badge pun! Pretty sweet frame too!

Back in the late'80s or early '90's, Nuke Proof was a small factory in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
I remember doing some phone system work there. they were making hubs at the time.

Bike Nashbar was selling some of their components.

Oh and I'm reminded of this C&V horror story...

https://old-metal.blogspot.com/2010/1...en-stolen.html

Ahhhh, but! Internet trolling-counter attack!

https://old-metal.blogspot.com/2011/0...nt-levels.html

I'll be keeping it, don't you worry! Never know when I will need a fat tire commuter. :O

Yeah, he got the bike back in the end but sheeeet, the amount of aggravation this must have caused...

Maybe this info will help me track down a former employee, thanks!


One of the most under appreciated forms of comedy: the pun.

Moral of the story: don't let your lady hang on to your nice bikes. Only part with the beater.

Uhoh, my GF probably rides fits the same size of frames, but she doesn't like "those weird bars and scary brake levers".

Former Employee: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/cody-dalenburg/23/34b/930

Um. Crashes happen a lot. Your integrated road shifters would be smashed daily. I'm thinking that's maybe not such a good plan. Friction thumb shifters or bar ends?

Let us know how it goes. I have a three in my parents barn.. or maybe I don`t.. I told my dad it was all crap and to toss it... didn`t think one day I`d be considering rebuilding a manitou three!

Bar-ends are just about as easy to smash as brifters, IMO.