coalhills

92' Trek 830 Antelope - True Temper, Double Butted, chromoly, 20' Frame
Canondale 6061-T6 butted Handle bars
Forte Goose neck
XT Flippy Brake/shifters
FSA Orbit headset
Manitou R7 Elite Suspension fork
DT Swiss Cerit hubs
Mavic 317 disc rims
XT HollowTech 2 crankset
SRAM 2008 PG-990 Power Glide II Cassette
decades old Brooks seat
Cane Creek G-3 ThudBuster seat post
Avid BB-7 disc brakes
Brake Therapy adapter
XT Rapid rise, long cage rear derailer
Deore LX front derailer.
Big Kahuna 2.10 tires
Total weight- (29 lbs on the nose)

Took it for a test ride this weekend off a series of 4 ft drops, felt like butter. Very happy! Love that Steel frame!

elf 232

Nothing on my bike is original to any particular bike all random parts, bought aftermarket or pieced off.

coalhills

No Pics?

coalhills

Keep your old bike! Fight rampant consumerism!... especially if it's STEEL!

Dannihilator

As an owner of two steel bikes, I'm going to have to say keep telling that to yourself. Your old 1992 trek Antelope 830 is probably reaching it's breaking point, especially since your doing drops on it, not to mention the fork you are running on it has about 2" more travel than it was designed for which is a huge change for a bike that was meant for XC riding.

But hey, it's your bike, ride it as you like.

elf 232

My bad, thought everyone had seen it b4.



2003 Specialized enduro frame
2003 Fox Float R rear shock
2006 Manitou Nixon Platinum fork
2007 LX octalink crank
2003 LX Fr. Der.
2006 XTR R. Der.
Mythos XC fr. tire 2.1
Conti Grav. rear tire 2.3
Heavy crud steel wheelset (the reflector has broken off since this pic was taken )
2007 LX hydro brake calipers
2007 LX hydro brake levers
2007 LX shifters
2008 XT chain
2006 Bontrager earl k seat

taylor p

nice box

elf 232

Why thank you, this picture proves how lazy i really am, i didnt even bother to move the box, or mud for that matter.

coalhills

I keep hearing the same thing from other people. "Oh, your bike geometry is off". I weigh 215lbs and I'm 6ft tall. With my weight on the bike the geometry is exactly the same. I have noticed almost no difference in my ability to ride on advanced trails accept that down hill is a little eazier . I LIVE on top of a 1700 ft mountain in Jim Thorpe, PA (Pocono Mountains). This town is well known for it's insane mountain bike trails. Most of my friends have aluminum bikes, Many of them have had to replace thier dropouts, have dented frames, etc. I have had NO issues at all. Chromoly steel is a third stronger than aluminum relative to weight. Randomly saying that My bike is obviously "about to blow" is just rediculous. I think the Cane creek thudbuster has helped reduce shock on the frame as has the front shock. The bike was designed to run trails rigid with NO suspension at all- That's far more stress to the frame than it is currently under. This frame has proved itself time and time again. It's the only reason I rebuilt it. I sanded down ALL the joints before I rebuilt it to check for integrity. They are perfect. Hey, I thought the same thing as you but the proof is in the pudding. When the frame goes I'll let you know, but untill then I will stay impressed by the abuse this old TREK Antelope frame is able to endure.

coalhills

The other reason I decided to keep the frame was because I kept reading in forums how rugged the 830 and 850 frames were, dispite the mid level components that came on them. Who knew? Time reveals good engineering.

BFG

Nice enduro elf.

ed 

You were reading stories written by "bike path riders" who occasionally took their 830 offroad and it didn't actually break!!! OMG!!!

The 8** frames aren't what I'd consider rugged. They're fairly durable for trail riding, but doing drops on them is...emmm...cool, yeah that's right. Cool. I think you should keep doing drops on it, raising the drop a foot at a time. Make sure to vid your drops and make yourself a documentary with a eulogy, I mean commentary for when you gore yourself with the FREAKIN' TOP TUBE BUDDY!!! BWHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Hey, if it works for you keep doing it. I wouldn't expect too much support from this place though The simple fact that you have chosen an R-7 to do 4ft drops on shows some serious Shriner Circus action, man.

You wanna see a real frankenbike, go to some of the alternate forums 'round here. There are some actual "major mods" that you may like to see. I don't really consider bolting on an inappropriate component a "major mod", but that's just another difference of opinion I guess.

Enjoy your ride and I'm at least happy that you are enjoying the sport. It's like the shizzle, dizzle




BTW...take all that crap off and go to ebay and search for a Voodoo Bakka. Put all that crap on the Bakka (minus the thud-b and the R-7) and enjoy a really rugged bike.

They're cheap. Surly also makes a pretty "rugged" frame. Jensonusa.com (instigator)

ed 

I've got a friend who bought a Trek 8000 for $350. (3-4yrs old) 'Twas a decent ride.

Then he went out and bought:
RS Tora 5" anchor
CC Thud-B LT anchor
Brooks B-17 brick

The fork is 2" too tall for the geo. The Thud-b is just a PerCo IMO. I'm not a huge fan. The Brooks is a pretty okay perch, but they're just too dang heavy for my taste.


It's just a different state of mind. (upgrade-itis...or maybe sidegrade-itis)


Really doesn't matter to me though...just ride what ya like. If you choose to go out on a limb and be different, don't be surprised if you get called out for your reasoning. In your case...don't say that you built that bike b/c it's rugged b/c that fork contradicts your reason. If your reason is "just because"...then who cares, right?

coalhills

Damn, bust my balls some more why don't ya. lol By "Major MODs", I just meant Non-original. I'm not say'in this is the most rugged bike in the world for gods sake, just "unexpectedly rugged"( The Frame that is). Yeah, I could spend $1000.00 on a shock and a million more on XTR componenets. The fact is that this bike has taken real abuse whether you speculate (or have fantasies) about it spontaneously exploding is another issue. It has'nt! When it does I will send you pics of the top tube sticking out of my ass. That should make you happy. I grew up in the Evil Kenievil era when we used to take 4 ft drops on Girls schwinn bikes with the banana seats and handle bar streamers. Thats my next "Major Mod" by the way...(; If this bike is going to explode prove it! Show me one forum entry where it happened. Your just jealous of my Bionic Antelope! I hate to see ya all tore up inside like that. (; Besides, if it does explode (and I survive) I can throw the shwag on another frame cheap. By the way you are way wrong on the thud buster. It does make a huge difference for a heavy rider like me. I hate full suspension so it saves my ass when it makes unexpected contact. Also, the 830 and 850( American made) do have a reputation for being very well constructed in an era without suspension (forged drops, dbl butted true temper platinum, heat treated joints, etc). the 820 is a completely different frame. So to assess the 800 series as a whole shows you are'nt all that familiar with them. I'm 40 years old and some of you younger guys don't remember the old days when we did insane **** on far lesser bikes up here in the mountains. Look, at least I don't have to be scared of ruining a $3000.00 bike my mom and dad bought for me. That's why they call it a Franken bike. I know the fork is really just an XC but for the money I dont think you could find one better. I've ridden alot of bikes and I guess I just like the idea of getting away with it, while everybody laughs. Maybe a personality disorder?? (: Sincerely, Yo Daddy.

coalhills

Don't hate me cause I'm beautiful....

coalhills

NICE!

coalhills

Dude, what is a PerCo? ...and do I get lambasted for not knowing?

ed 

Ahhh the age misconceptions...Mom and dad never gave me nuthin, haha.

Okay, so ya got 8 yrs on me. I remember doin big crap on sissy's 10spd, so thx for bringing me back to reality.

Peace

mcoine

My frankenbike, mods are in red..

Frame ….. Rush SL, 110 mm
Fork ….. FOX, F120 RL
Rear Shock ….. FOX Float RP2
Rims ….. Dt Swiss x4.2 disc
Hubs ….. Hope Pro2
Spokes ….. DT Competition
Tires ….. Kenda blue groove
Pedals ….. Eggbeater Sl
Crank ….. Fsa Carbon Team Issue
Chain ….. Shimano 9-speed
Rear Cogs ….. xt 11-34
Bottom Bracket ….. FSA
Front Derailleur ….. Shimano LX
Rear Derailleur ….. Sram X-9
Shifters ….. Gripshift XO
Handlebars ….. Answer Protaper
Stem ….. Cannondale XC3 1 1/8", 31.8 mm
Headset ….. Cannondale Orbit Z 1.5"
Brakeset ….. Avid Ultimate
Saddle ….. Selle Italia Flite Trans Am
Seat Post ….. Thomson Elite

coalhills

You can't forget the good times brother

elf 232

Sarcasm or not? i honestly can never tell, i thought 66 was serious last time he said "NICE" but i didnt know 66 well enough.

heres this one again

ed 

I could be wrong here, but I kinda think that the OP meant Frankenbike as in "wierd mod's" done to a bike that don't make much sense...except that there are a couple boxes of parts laying around and I'm gonna put them on my bike...your bike looks purposely built and isn't out of the ordinary at all.


Let's define Frankenbike, I guess. Would it be that odd stuff like that 16t granny setup? Throwing a box of roadie parts laying around on a MTB frame so you got something to ride? Putting an R-7 on a Trek 820 and doing 4 foot drops? (JK...I'm done with that one)

mcoine

I know. My post was a bit sarcastic, but he said "By "Major MODs", I just meant Non-original."

Siu Blue Wind

Wow Daddy. I'm impressed.

And I think you ALL should be too. *pointing to all of you, yes, YOU too* This guy is the schnizz.

Dannihilator

And no it's not a frankenbike.

Frame ….. DMR Sidekick2
Fork ….. FOX, Talas RLC
Rear Shock ….. None
Rims ….. Sun Ringle MTX
Hubs ….. Shimano XT front, Hadely Rear
Spokes ….. DT Competition
Tires ….. 26x2.35 Kenda Nevegal front, Specialized Resolution Pro rear(Until I get a 2.1 nevegal in.)
Pedals ….. Speedplay Drillium
Crank ….. Fsa Gravity Light
Chain ….. Weipperman Connex
Rear Cogs ….. xt 11-32
Bottom Bracket ….. FSA
Front Derailleur ….. E.thirteen SRS
Rear Derailleur ….. Shimano XTR
Shifter ….. Shimano XT
Handlebars ….. FSA Gravity Carbon OS mid rise, 710mm length.
Stem ….. FSA Gravity Light OS 50mm
Headset ….. King
Brakeset ….. Avid Juicy Sevens with Dangerboy lever blades
Saddle ….. Selle Italia Flite Classic
Seat Post ….. Thomson Elite

Weight: 27.8 pounds.

I worked insanely hard on and off the bike for what I have. Others here do as well, so I would honestly suggest to not go making dumb broad generalizations of the people here.