[lordmike]

Hi, I'm hoping some GT gurus could help me with a query...

I recently acquired an excellent condition Xizang as a complete bike.
In the process of stripping it for a rebuild, I noticed there was no sign of a serial number anywhere. The frame had no decals either.

A thread on another forum mentioned that the few Xizang frames that were non-serialised were designated for the US factory team. Can anyone verify this?

Finally, My frame has a small circular ring welded on the seat tube, near where it crosses over with the Seat stay. Anyone know what they were for,
and what year that makes the frame? As part of the rebuild, I'd like to keep the decals as true as possible to its original designation.

Cheers!

 

[Toff]

I have a '99 and my serial is stamped on the bottom of the BB.

 

[kint]

Hi,, I noticed there was no sign of a serial number anywhere.

A thread on another forum mentioned that the few Xizang frames that were non-serialised were designated for the US factory team. Can anyone verify this?

Finally, My frame has a small circular ring welded on the seat tube, near where it crosses over with the Seat stay. Anyone know what they were for,
and what year that makes the frame? As part of the rebuild, I'd like to keep the decals as true as possible to its original designation.

Cheers!

there are some around, zaskars too, that have no serial - i dont know why.
never heard the team story before.
teh rings for an attachable canti cable stop, thats why its eccentric attached too. this detail makes it a 97 or later frame, since the earlier ones had welded stops, since they were oem equipped with cantis too.

 

[lordmike]

That helps immensely, thanks!

 

[kint]

sorry i was confused. they switched to v's in 96 so it may be a 96 model as well. however since i havent seen any 96 frame with the ring until now ild say anyhow its 97 or younger. nice frame and the later ones are more convinient to own and ride since they have teh early suspension corrected geometry - a nowadays =<80mm travel fork shouldnt change the geometry that much to be noticed. itisnt coloured white is it ? that would make it the last series they made (end of 90s), before them all xizang frames were polished metal. (apart from the 91 xizang )

 

[lordmike]

Not white, just a lurvely raw titanium polish.
You've been tremendous yet again.
Cheers!

 

[Toff]

sorry i was confused. they switched to v's in 96 so it may be a 96 model as well. however since i havent seen any 96 frame with the ring until now ild say anyhow its 97 or younger. nice frame and the later ones are more convinient to own and ride since they have teh early suspension corrected geometry - a nowadays =<80mm travel fork shouldnt change the geometry that much to be noticed. itisnt coloured white is it ? that would make it the last series they made (end of 90s), before them all xizang frames were polished metal. (apart from the 91 xizang )

Kinda old post but I've just updated my '99 SiD to a '09 Fox F80 on my '99 Xizang and it changed the front end of the bike quite a bit. It raised the front of the bike up over an inch (probably closer to 2 inches) which is quite noticeable. I'm getting used to it but its not as twitchy as it used to be. I still tend to drift a bit at speed compared to the old geometry. The new shock is such an upgrade over that old sid that it can't even be described tho so overall its well worth it.

If you stick a newer shock on there you may want to check the total length of it.

 

[mycrusierhasabottleopener]

Kinda old post but I've just updated my '99 SiD to a '09 Fox F80 on my '99 Xizang and it changed the front end of the bike quite a bit. It raised the front of the bike up over an inch (probably closer to 2 inches) which is quite noticeable. I'm getting used to it but its not as twitchy as it used to be. I still tend to drift a bit at speed compared to the old geometry. The new shock is such an upgrade over that old sid that it can't even be described tho so overall its well worth it.

If you stick a newer shock on there you may want to check the total length of it.

How does the bike ride now? I'm in the same place ready to go away from the 63mm sid oem fork to the fox. I had a z-1 on it for a second but i didn't want to rip my head tube off so i never trail rode it.

 

[Bcar]

I think the bike works MUCH better with a 80mm fork on it. I have a '92 and put on a Surly rigid fork made to replace 80mm forks and it changed the ride for the better. I actually have it setup now with the 80mm fork, a 29er front wheel and a 2" riser on it and the bike is a complete dream...My epic marathon doesnt get as much use these days. you could go 80mm without any issues, 80mm 29er, or a 100mm 26er and I think you'd be quite happy with it.

 

[micstew]

< post deleted > no serial number is still a mystery.