OzX - Modern build

[Colin]

Hi All,
Well, I've finally completed my build of an OzX for the Missus!
Thanks to Chris (Spokes) for the frame swap, whereby he got my Large and I got his Medium for Wifey. As you all know the "Plastic" <GRIN> bikes came in only two sizes, Medium and Large, which differ by just one critical measurement, which is that the top tube length is just 25mm (~1") longer.
My main mission in building this bike is to exactly re-create the geometry of her "CycleKing" (UK Bargain bike shop) cheapo bike, which is made out of battleship iron and weighs a ton (42lb!), however she is comfortable on it and has powered it along on quite respectably long and ardous rides all over the UK.
However, on a recent holiday to Myanmar she rode a nice lightweight hardtail Trek (3000?) which she found was much easier to do a long ride on.
So, I've mirrored the geometry of her "tank" and added the benefits of fast rolling semi-knob tyres.
Overall, I'm very pleased with it, achieving an all up weight of 28lb which compares very favourably with K2's claimed 27.9lb and I still have the rear NR-4 shock to replace with a RP23, which should shave a bit more weight off.

AND More importantly, she likes it! and has proudly been showing it off to everyone on our first rides and even down the pub on Friday!

So here's a piccie and a link to it's album.



http://idriders.com/proflex/smf/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=56

Col.

[purple gerbil]

The wife is a lucky lady, some top kit on there, bet she'll be dodging puddles and mud for fear of getting it mucky.

[shovelon]

That it beautiful man! 

Terry

[Spokes]

Well done Colin that looks great! The day of the OZx is here! It's good to see both these frames getting built up. Are you going to build one of you other OZ frames for yourself...

Chris

[w2zero]

Nice work!  You have amassed such a wealth of husband points.

[Colin]

The wife is a lucky lady, some top kit on there, bet she'll be dodging puddles and mud for fear of getting it mucky.

Ha ha, I said to her after the first ride, using my best offended housewife’s voice: "I spent hours polishing that and just one ride and you've got it all mucky!"

I forgot my camera, but we had a good trail ride that even included a successful crossing of a ford!

and yes, Chris, the OzM is sitting just behind me at the mo', awaiting it's own rebuild (after donating it's ST-M952's); a similar spec' of a mix of new and old components, including Maverick DUC-32's and Avid Juicy 7's.

Off to France this weekend to recreate/commemorate the Normandy Landings with a ride from Caen to Cherbourg (but that will be on "Pub Bike"; the Marin Pine Mountain, albeit with a Flex-stem!)

Cheers!

Col.

[Spokes]

Back in the day, one of the magazines road tested the pre production 5500 and estimated the weight at around 24lb. I think Proflex/K2 must have used some very trick bits to obtain that weight. From memory it was mostly Xtr.

Chris

[k24000]

A thing of beauty in my eyes just wish I had one

[Colin]

And here's a piccie of the Mrs and her shiny new OzX:



Col.

[AHanulec]

Amazing how natural these bikes look wearing all modern parts.
This forum is trying really hard to make me part with some money. 

[Shaitaan]

Nice Job Colin..... I'm almost finished with my 4500.....finally have my hammerhead adapter installed, breaks fitted, and now need to fish the rear deraileur cable through and set up the shifters....really looking forward to it

then it's off to finish my 756 (building for my son) and my 5000 (need another hammerhead adapter, sadly)

[timboiow]

Very Nice job indeed Colin, looks like it could have been a hi-end factory option with all that XTR goodness adorning the frame.....strange how these frames still look the dogs danglies even now !