Pimp My Bike

episode 2: Mark

1. The problem:  Mark wanted to try to drop some weight on the bike, and also wanted to be able to use his newly modified rim brake Powertap wheel on his disc only Turner Flux.

2. The solution: Convert the Turner, giving it brake bosses and the ability to run V-brakes.  Also, on the issue of dropping weight, while adding a heavy rear wheel:  In addition to new, lighter parts, the Turner will have a set of racing wheels for weight purposes, and a set with the Powertap for training purposes. 

How do you make a disc only frame accept V brakes?  Well, it may not be possible on all frames.  However, after talking with Dave at Turner Bikes, it was discovered that there was a half full shoe box of discontinued brake boss adapters that could retrofit to the Flux frame.  Also, the new beefier Rock Shox Sid can be ordered with a brake boss option.  It comes in 80mm only, so, it means tearing into a brand new fork to convert it to 100mm.  Without too much trouble, the frame was converted, and the Fox Forx disc only fork was replaced with a modified Rock Shox Sid capable of running V brakes.

Before the change, the Turner weighed in at a respectable 24lbs 7ozs.  After the makeover, the bike weighs 21lbs 14 ozs.

New parts:

Mavic Crossmax SSC wheels (1485g front and rear ) - used

Rock Shox Sid Race suspension fork (1425 grams) - new

KCNC Pro Lite 27.2 x 350 seatpost (137 grams) - new

San Marco Aspide FX  titanium railed saddle (142 grams) - traded

Easton carbon Monkeylite CNT handlebar (178 grams) - new

Forte Team stem (146 grams) - from the parts box

Avid single digit (318 grams fr/rr w/ ti bolts) - from the parts box

Sram 9.0 carbon look levers (140 grams pair) - from the parts box

Bike Diet titanium rear cassette (177 grams) - new

Crank Brothers Eggbeater 3-ti pedals ( 181 grams) - used

XTR front derailleur (112 grams) - from the parts box

Panaracer Razor XC tires (460 grams each) - new

Jagwire Ripcord orange cables and housing (85 grams) - new

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Replaced parts:

Mavic Crossmax SLR wheels (1569g front and rear)

Fox Forx Float RL (1754 grams)

Thomson 27.2 x 330 seatpost (223 grams)

WTB Laser V Ti rail saddle (239 grams)

Answer Pro Taper carbon 31.6 riser handlebar (200 grams)

Race Face Revolution 31.6 stem (134 grams)

Avid Juicy 7 disc brakes (324fr / 332rr w/mounts & bolts, no rotors)

Shimano XTR titanium cassette (232 grams)

Shimano XTR pedals (352 grams)

XT front derailleur (172 grams)

Continental Mountain King Supersonic tires (530 grams)

Shimano housing Teflon cables (100 grams)

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Weight savings:

Wheels (84 grams)

Fork (329 grams)

Seatpost (86 grams)

Saddle (97 grams)

Handlebar (22 grams)

Stem (-12 grams)

Brakes (422 grams) 

Cassette (55 grams)

Pedals (171 grams)

Derailleur (60 grams)

Tires (140 grams)

Cables and Housing (15 grams)*

*Primarily for team colors more than weight savings - but hey, 15 grams is 15 grams.

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Upcoming parts swap:

Schwalbe Furious Fred  tires (300 grams)