[chocolategourmand]

that would make it an unique bike

You guys are hard to please-I thought just possessing an SL-R was unique enough! :smilewinkgrin:

If I hadn't been following this thread for so long I'd almost believe you guys didn't know the blue was going to be on the black frames. All black is pretty sweet, though. Since I already have an all black bike (my commuter bike, where perhaps visibility should have been more important? ut: A good excuse for nice lights, anyway) I'm not interested in another all black bike. I picked up my forks from the painter on Tuesday and the shop is reassembling them. Getting the black and matte level matched was a little challenge for the painter (he paints motorcycles for a living), but he pulled it off on the second try with a different matting agent. He matched the blue nicely, too. I'll have pics in a couple weeks once the bike is all together and fit is finalized.

Painting over the frameskin is an interesting idea. I'd worry about the adhesive of frameskin and the flat paint peeling off, but maybe fishboy2807 could address his thoughts on that. I had an old beater commuter bike that I sprayed flat black using aerosol and, although the flat black did not have long lasting wear properties, it was super easy to touch up. You could just spray over everything and not have to worry about matching at all that way. Resale time, just touch it up and it will look like new.

 

[jmacovei]

You guys are hard to please-I thought just possessing an SL-R was unique enough! :smilewinkgrin:

If I hadn't been following this thread for so long I'd almost believe you guys didn't know the blue was going to be on the black frames. All black is pretty sweet, though. Since I already have an all black bike (my commuter bike, where perhaps visibility should have been more important? ut: A good excuse for nice lights, anyway) I'm not interested in another all black bike. I picked up my forks from the painter on Tuesday and the shop is reassembling them. Getting the black and matte level matched was a little challenge for the painter (he paints motorcycles for a living), but he pulled it off on the second try with a different matting agent. He matched the blue nicely, too. I'll have pics in a couple weeks once the bike is all together and fit is finalized.

Painting over the frameskin is an interesting idea. I'd worry about the adhesive of frameskin and the flat paint peeling off, but maybe fishboy2807 could address his thoughts on that. I had an old beater commuter bike that I sprayed flat black using aerosol and, although the flat black did not have long lasting wear properties, it was super easy to touch up. You could just spray over everything and not have to worry about matching at all that way. Resale time, just touch it up and it will look like new.

we want pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[John Kuhl]

Yes, black it out.

Best, John

 

[chocolategourmand]

OK, here's the bike with the painted forks. I'm going into the LBS this week for a fitting so I've only built up what's needed for riding on a trainer. I've got zip ties holding my derailleurs' positions and no front brake. We weren't sure about straight or set-back post, hence the dummy post for clamping in my stand, but it didn't stop me from riding it around the block last night (seatpost removed, thank you). Once we get the stem in the right ballpark I'll trim hoses/cables to fit (and route rear brake hose properly).

It's a full XTR build with trail brakes--even the hubs are XTR. I can't stand the noise of CK on my old bike anymore and I wanted something a bit more quiet. Apparently quiet is old skool; everybody seems to want a really loud ratchet nowadays. Stealth hubs looked interesting with absolute silence and truly instant engagement, but they were pretty heavy and I don't think they have a well established track record for MTB conditions.

The Mojo HD Cable Guard fits perfectly since the SL-R has the 3rd bolt that I guess the SL does not have. Blends in with the black frame nicely.

 

[eurospek]

The fork looks primo with the frame.

 

[jmacovei]

if there was a lamborghini blue, you would get thet title...very nice kid,very nice!

beauty! what color are those hubs? red?

if the fitting shows you need a stem that long, go with a set back seatpost to get the steering advantage out of having a shorter stem and cockpit setup....my 2 cents....

on a diff side note...forks....i ran my bike with 150 RLC stock cc headset....felt way to d-hish....

ran it with the 150 RLC and 1 degree steep setup on CC angleset...(shorter wheelbase jack you forward type of scenario) felt better

ran it witha 120 RLC 1 degree steep setup on CC angleset (climbing goat heaven)...felt fine where I Ride..

question...did you get the talas 150-120? if not, what did you get.....

 

[chocolategourmand]

Thanks. The XTR hubs are a semi gloss black. The red thingy is just the vinyl guard on the skewer that comes with the forks (I don't plan to leave it on). The forks are just the stock Float 32 RLC 140mm and I've got a CK headset. I'm not into big air or DH so I think the floats will be plush for my riding and terrain. The shop was almost able to swap out a stock black 150 float on a Mt Goat order that the customer wanted to change out, but that fell through. Hence, floats only available in white and the custom paint.

The stem that's on it now is 110. Without a seat to sit on I have no idea what we'll come up with at the fitting. My current ride ('99 Seven Teres) has 120 stem and my previous ride ('89 Ritchey Supercomp) had a whopping 170mm stem. Getting used to wider bars will be interesting, but I'll probably still cut them down a 1/2" to 3/4" each side.

Looking forward to a new ride after 13 years although the Seven has been good to me.

 

[clewttu]

lol, did you paint your chainstay wrap?

 

[chocolategourmand]

lol, did you paint your chainstay wrap?

Where have you been? Everybody is painting their wraps now. I went through three painters before I found one that could do it exactly the way I wanted. PM me for painter info.

The funny chainstay wrap is translucent blue Cinnelli Jelly bar wrap. The eager LBS mechanic put it on before he remembered I was doing the build myself, but I think it was a good choice. Probably will show chain grime more over time but-so long as the carbon stays are protected from the chain-I don't care.

 

[jmacovei]

Where have you been? Everybody is painting their wraps now. I went through three painters before I found one that could do it exactly the way I wanted. PM me for painter info.

The funny chainstay wrap is translucent blue Cinnelli Jelly bar wrap. The eager LBS mechanic put it on before he remembered I was doing the build myself, but I think it was a good choice. Probably will show chain grime more over time but-so long as the carbon stays are protected from the chain-I don't care.

really?

 

[chocolategourmand]

really?

Yep, it really is translucent blue Cinelli Jelly bar wrap (I didn't get it painted--it comes transparent with a blue tint).

 

[equalme]

Went for a nice ride today and 5 miles in my chain snapped. :madmax:

My fault for re-using a pin that I had already pushed out. Killed my ride since I didn't carry any extra master links with me. Spent a good while walking the bike back in the mist with mosquitoes swarming me.

None the less, I have a new shock on order from my lbs and it should be here tomorrow...Monarch RC3 Plus Standard can / Low tune. Going to ride it for the season then get it pushed in the winter.

 

[equalme]

Notice anything different?

Found out that Rockshox doesn't make the RC3 Plus 7.875" x 2.0" Low tune in a standard volume...only comes in high volume. Going to try it out in the high volume for a few rides then order the standard volume sleeve.

 

[noshortcuts]

Notice anything different?

Found out that Rockshox doesn't make the RC3 Plus 7.875" x 2.0" Low tune in a standard volume...only comes in high volume. Going to try it out in the high volume for a few rides then order the standard volume sleeve.

I imagine Push would have sold you exactly what you want... they have "standard volume" on "sale" right now... but it doesn't say which "tune" it is. Push Industries - 2012 RockShox Monarch PLUS RC3 -- of course they are tuning it for YOU anyway.

 

[equalme]

I imagine Push would have sold you exactly what you want... they have "standard volume" on "sale" right now... but it doesn't say which "tune" it is. Push Industries - 2012 RockShox Monarch PLUS RC3 -- of course they are tuning it for YOU anyway.

Yeah I already know. The reason why I decided to purchase it off the shelf was so that I can ride it and know what I want from Push when I do actually send it in.

That and also I was able to purchase it for less than $300. Overall price including the future Push tune comes out cheaper than purchasing one direct from Push.

 

[jmacovei]

Notice anything different?

Found out that Rockshox doesn't make the RC3 Plus 7.875" x 2.0" Low tune in a standard volume...only comes in high volume. Going to try it out in the high volume for a few rides then order the standard volume sleeve.

Cane Creek Angleset.....shorter wheelbase (more steerable and better climbing ability) ...:thumbsup:

 

[noshortcuts]

SLR built and ready for first ride...

Medium SLR - Silver (actual 2420gm* with seat binder and shock only)
Headset, CC angleset, 210gm*
Headset cap and screw, 20gm
Fork, EXM 150mm 15mm qr, 1680gm*
Wheels, haven carbon, 1440gm*
142 rear maxle, 74gm*
Tire, rear, Nobby Nic TR, 615gm*
Tire, front, Weirwolf 2.5, 915gm
Stans Fluid, 125gm
Handlebar, Haven carbon, 169gm*
Bar ends, silver, 25gm
Stem, RF Turbine 60mm / black, 136gm*
Grips, 60gm*
Seatpost, Thomson Masterpiece, silver 190gm*
Saddle, WTB Silverado, 210gm
Cable, Jagwire Ripcord Derailleur / silver / 110gm
Brakes, Magura MT8, 430gm*
Brake adapter, 12gm
Rotor, 180 SL storm 116gm*
Rotor, 160 SL storm 97gm*
Rotor bolts x12 Ti 16gm*
Front Derailleur, XO HO Direct Mount, 129gm*
BB /press fit, 70gm*
XX Crank, 652gm*
XX cassette, 211gm*
X0 10 shifter 125gm*
XO 2 shifter 126gm*
X0 Rear derailleur 202gm*
KMC Chain, 268gm*
Bionican chain guide, 57gm
Frameskin, 120gm
chain stay wrap, 50gm
xtr pedals, 325gm

* confirmed weights
Complete weight = 24.42 lbs.*

HA = 67.5

Impressions from test riding the street: Frame is uber stiff - feels very different from Classic; Pedals like a rocket ship (likely due to light wheels, stiff frame, and stiff XO/XX drivetrain); Front fork feels amazing; Rubber boot on crank was hitting the frame wrap so I removed the boot (156 Q factor is a tight fit); brakes feel progressive but not strong (I assume they need to bed in and maybe I need to bleed them better).... now for a real test ride

 

[jmacovei]

Built with 140mm talas / 150 talas on standby

only one more fork needed

 

[kite85]

My SL-R : 11.56 kg With a BOS Deville 160
I've also installed a Works Components angle headset (-1°) so I'm @67°

 

[mjdm.abreu]

My SL-R : 11.56 kg With a BOS Deville 160
I've also installed a Works Components angle headset (-1°) so I'm @67°

nice looking and nice pictures. why did you change the wheels?