89 Wickedness

[Zamfir]

Hello 'Fat lovers!

Thought i'd kick this build thread out slow with few words and a few pics.

Specs and build info to be added soon......if there is interest.

Enjoy!

[chainline]

One of he nicest wickeds I have seen in a while...

[Zamfir]

So far the build is turning out nicer than I had hoped for.

The white tires have been replaced with blackwall Smoke/Darts. Also replaced the qr's with the stock Campys.

Build should be completed today and I hope to rake it for a trail ride this afternoon.

[chainline]

I think the white tires are what really set it off.

[Zamfir]

I agree, the white tires lighten it up.

The Schwalbe are just a little too wide for the frame (2.25"). Hoping to find some Porcs!

[chainline]

This might push me to have to do a team comp.similar.hummm !

[Zamfir]

First shows the lovely head tube, Iglefork, and white tires. Great combo.

Second is completed bike on the trail. What an exceptional ride, almost springy the way it handles the twisties.

One of the more amazing aspects of this build is how well the drivetrain is working. I'm using Suntour 8 speed thumbies, XT 7 speed rear, XT front, and Campy 8spd Athena wheelset (with alphabet cogs).

Epic ride!

[chainline]

Now how about an outside photo with the white tires ( wink wink )hhahahha looks great.

[colker]

how is that drivetrain again?

[nader]

Originally Posted by Zamfir

So far the build is turning out nicer than I had hoped for.

The white tires have been replaced with blackwall Smoke/Darts. ..

incredibly beautiful wicked with nice color, but I would take the white tires

[Zamfir]

Just for some basic build info:

Frame: 1989 Wicked
Fork: 2011 Igleheart with Wright dropouts
Headset: Chris King Gripnut
Stem: Salsa (90mm)
Bar: Easton Matrix
Seatpost: Origin 8
Saddle: Selle Italia Leader
Shifters: Suntour XC Expert, 8spd
Brake Levers: DiaComp SS-5
Cantilevers: Shimano SLR DX, flat black
Crankset: 1989 Shimano XT, Shimano chainrings
Rear derailleur: Shimano XT RD-M735 Shortcage
Front: XT
Chain SRAM 8spd
Wheels: Campagnolo Athena 8spd, Campy QR, Mavic 231, DT butted spokes, blue alloy nipples.
Tires: Yet to be decided. Running Smoke/Dart.

[Zamfir]

I will mount the white Schwalbe's again and check for clearances. At the shop they seemed a little too close to the chainstays, didn't want to scratch the pretty new paint!

Pics to be posted later today......

[rmp]

Hey Zamfir -

Does your Igle fork have the "tabs" welded on the backsides where the legs meet the crown?

My Igle fork lacks these - I wonder if it's because the newer steel is better than the old non-heat treated stuff that the BITD (back in the day) forks were made of? I think I asked Chris about this but never heard back.

Nice build!

rmp

[Zamfir]

Hello RMP.

I didn't discuss the tabs with Chris so I wasn't surprised that my fork didn't have them.

My fork has a vintage Columbus fluted and threaded streerer tube. Paragon Wright dropouts, and non-suspension corrected geometry, all suggested by Chris.

I'm sure he could make replicas of the original Yo's, though the price might be a bit more.

Cheers!

[Zamfir]

Chainstays are just wide enough to rock the Schwalbs.

[tvcreative]

Great job....I would be proud to have this in my stable.

while everyone here in fat-land likes the white tires...

I personally think it looks good with black too...I also think some blue sidewalled ritchey speed max could be fun too...

I say run the tires that rock your world on the singletrack...as riding the bike is more important than drooling on it...

[chainline]

Originally Posted by tvcreative

Great job....I would be proud to have this in my stable.

while everyone here in fat-land likes the white tires...

I personally think it looks good with black too...I also think some blue sidewalled ritchey speed max could be fun too...

I say run the tires that rock your world on the singletrack...as riding the bike is more important than drooling on it...

Yeah but Jim. you can ride and drool at the same time..... the white tires are popping this bike . me want.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by Zamfir

Hello RMP.

I didn't discuss the tabs with Chris so I wasn't surprised that my fork didn't have them.

My fork has a vintage Columbus fluted and threaded streerer tube. Paragon Wright dropouts, and non-suspension corrected geometry, all suggested by Chris.

I'm sure he could make replicas of the original Yo's, though the price might be a bit more.

Cheers!

Yeah, Chris built my fork custom as well, and when I was talking to him about it, he mentioned that all of the old BOI and Yo Eddy forks floating around (and bringing in huge $ on ebay) were not heat treated and that he couldn't convince Chris to spring for that back in the day.

I also recall that the first forks didn't have that teardrop gusset on the back and they broke, so they added it (I think that story was told here, maybe by Scott B?). So when mine didn't come with the gussets (I didn't ask for them either, just told him I wanted a segmented fork with 1990 Wicked Geo) I assumed it was because the modern heat treated steel didn't need it. After all, Chris probable built all of those old forks, so if anyone would know - it's be him!

rmp

[rmp]

Here's the link to the info on the teardrop gussets:

http://www.fatcogs.com/forum/showpos...26&postcount=8

[Zamfir]

I do like the look and idea behind the gussets. I also think stylistically they match the Fat frame gussets nicely.

My fork with uncut steerer came in at 1lb 6 oz. Very light. Complete bike is currently at 25lbs.

[rmp]

Yeah, mine was 700g w/uncut 1" threaded steerer - lighter than the cut Fat city unicrown that it came with.

rmp

[Zamfir]

Finally sorted my cable hanger woes with this bulky looking, but very functional Campy part. Routed the front cable with a v-brake noodle, no flex and finally dialed in.

Also put some nifty Gran Compe rollers front and rear, mainly for looks.

Bike is approaching build nirvana, just need a period seatpost and a m736 FD (I have 736 shifters waiting patiently).

[troda]

That is one killer bike! Great job!

[I-ROBOT]

Originally Posted by rmp

Yeah, Chris built my fork custom as well, and when I was talking to him about it, he mentioned that all of the old BOI and Yo Eddy forks floating around (and bringing in huge $ on ebay) were not heat treated and that he couldn't convince Chris to spring for that back in the day.

I also recall that the first forks didn't have that teardrop gusset on the back and they broke, so they added it (I think that story was told here, maybe by Scott B?). So when mine didn't come with the gussets (I didn't ask for them either, just told him I wanted a segmented fork with 1990 Wicked Geo) I assumed it was because the modern heat treated steel didn't need it. After all, Chris probable built all of those old forks, so if anyone would know - it's be him!

rmp

Hate to bust your bubble but Chris I had left Fat City and was doing his own deal in Maine before the first Yo Eddy was built. He did weld some box crown forks and he may have done a couple of prototype segmented forks but he would not have done any production forks. All of the Yo and BOI forks were welded by George Reynolds, Dave Blakeney, Sue Kirby, and Patrick. I did a few, but not that many. I believe I welded all of the segmented road forks that came out of Somerville, but some of those could have been done by others.
I was also a strong proponent of heat treating the Yo forks. We did some fatigue testing after some early cracking and that did lead to the tear-drop gusset so Chris decided against it.
Happy Holidays to all
Scott

[lewisfoto]

I love it when people come up with clever solutions using existing parts (ie the V-brake noodle.) Oh yeah and the blue with white tires is stunning.

[Zamfir]

I'm ecstatic about the front brake feel. The old hanger didn't fit correctly, it would bend down slightly when i'd get on the brake giving it a mushy feel.

Anybody have thoughts about the seat that's currently on the Wicked? I have a Rolls i'm thinking of moving from a different bike, also going to get a period correct seatpost.

[jpicard616]

I'm not a fan of the saddle, and an old XT seatpost would look really nice!

[colker]

suntour xc post. an ird is the coolest... but hard to find. the suntour was the satndard fare on this bike.
saddles are personal taste.

[tvcreative]

syncros or american classic on the seatpost is what I have on mine

I like the good ol' flite or turbo on mine

[rick]

saddles are a personal choice, I tend to use Flites or SDG on many of my bikes. Nice 26.4 seatposts can be hard to find; I like Syncros and Ritchey, also use American Classic, XT and XC pro.
Great color on the bike, in my opinion the black tires are a big improvement over the white. just my 2 cents

[Zamfir]

Thanks for the excellent advice everybody.

I tried a Flight (one of my all time fav saddles) and it just didn't quite look right to my eyes.

Then I moved a Rolls over from a 80's road bike I have stored in the "beer cave". Looks better and it will stay for a little while but now i'm thinking a Turbo or Concor, possibly in suede, might be the saddle.

Seatposts will be a far tougher choice and I will be patient. IRD would be on the top of my list, then I think American Classic. I really love Syncros parts but to me they are too west coast for the Wicked.

[nader]

Originally Posted by Zamfir

Finally sorted my cable hanger woes with this bulky looking, but very functional Campy part. Routed the front cable with a v-brake noodle, no flex and finally dialed in.

is it possible to weld or glue such a v-brake noodle to the stem?
Stems with such role or noodle are unfortunately become rare.

[Zamfir]

I've had similar thoughts about modifying stems, but for length.

When I originally discussed the fork with Chris I also asked if he could modify the T-bone stem that came on the bike. It was crazy long, like 140cm or so, it had the cable guide hole on the top that would have worked nice. He said it was possible, so i sent it to him with a hand sketch. He called back saying that it wasn't a good idea because it would compromise the strength of the stem and would be cost prohibitive. Then he dug up the cool Salsa I ended up with.

Back on subject. If someone if determined to add a cable guide I would think drilling a small hole though the top, then maybe a larger dia hole only through the top of the stem to support an alloy fitting might be the least invasive. Not sure if it would weaken the stem.

I'm just thinking out loud. Certainly there are others here that would know far better than me.

[colker]

Originally Posted by Zamfir

I've had similar thoughts about modifying stems, but for length.

When I originally discussed the fork with Chris I also asked if he could modify the T-bone stem that came on the bike. It was crazy long, like 140cm or so, it had the cable guide hole on the top that would have worked nice. He said it was possible, so i sent it to him with a hand sketch. He called back saying that it wasn't a good idea because it would compromise the strength of the stem and would be cost prohibitive. Then he dug up the cool Salsa I ended up with.

Back on subject. If someone if determined to add a cable guide I would think drilling a small hole though the top, then maybe a larger dia hole only through the top of the stem to support an alloy fitting might be the least invasive. Not sure if it would weaken the stem.

I'm just thinking out loud. Certainly there are others here that would know far better than me.

You need a noodle inside once you drill the stem. It does give very good braking and clean cable lines. I have a specialized stem on my wicked w/ the hole and a T bone back up. Thing is, those stems used to come in 120/135/150 length. I even like the hole thru than the roller like the salsa.

[clockworkgazz]

great resto and a cracking colour- top work.

[Zamfir]

The build card for my 89!

[jonsonneborn]

A really nice Wicked Build. Is that powdercoated? Looks nice with the segmented fork.

[Zamfir]

Thank you, i love it.

It was painted with traditional paint, Imron color I think, clear coated.

I'm currently in the process of minor rebuild and will post pics of the result.

[franktrottajr]

Originally Posted by I-ROBOT

Hate to bust your bubble but Chris I had left Fat City and was doing his own deal in Maine before the first Yo Eddy was built. He did weld some box crown forks and he may have done a couple of prototype segmented forks but he would not have done any production forks. All of the Yo and BOI forks were welded by George Reynolds, Dave Blakeney, Sue Kirby, and Patrick. I did a few, but not that many. I believe I welded all of the segmented road forks that came out of Somerville, but some of those could have been done by others.
I was also a strong proponent of heat treating the Yo forks. We did some fatigue testing after some early cracking and that did lead to the tear-drop gusset so Chris decided against it.
Happy Holidays to all
Scott

Hey Scott - Just saw this post, had no idea that A.) Igleheart had left prior to the production segmented forks being welded. And B.) You welded ALL the Road Yo! forks, of which I have ridden several, one of which I am STILL riding. Incredible craftsmanship and AMAZING handling fork. Thanks Scott, and hope life is good. Frank

[one piece crank]

Originally Posted by lewisfoto

I love it when people come up with clever solutions using existing parts (ie the V-brake noodle.) Oh yeah and the blue with white tires is stunning.

Actually, BITD re-purposed motorcycle throttle noodles were used all the time - starting with the usual suspects (Breeze, Potts, Fisher, Ritchey) up to production bikes in the late 80's.