Rock Lobster Team Tig 853

TarkMalbot

It finally arrived this morning!

A great job done by Merlin Cycles and at a great price.

After getting everything in the correct place, fitting the pedals and making sure every bolt was the correct torque I went out for a play. Only done 5 miles so far but everything seems in order.

It is a fantastic bike! I love it.

8) :P

Full Specification:

Frame: 2009 Rock Lobster Tig Team 853
Forks: 2009 Rock Shox Reba Race
Group Set: 2009 Shimano XT
Brakes: 2009 Shimano XT Hydraulic with splined 160mm rotors
Wheels: XT splined hubs on black Mavic XC 717 rims with black ACI spokes
Tyres: Panaracer Fire XC 26"x2.1"
Bars, Stem, Headset & Seatpost: Race Face Deus XC
Seat Post Clamp:DMR Single bolt
Seat: SDG Bel-Air R L
Pedals: Wellgo MG1
Grips: Outland

Weight: 27 lbs.

Many more photos of details coming soon but here it is:

Da Mighty Chicken

Sweet looking bike mate

jay12

that's a classic looking bike with some really good components love it

adb1006

Very nice mate - love the colour of the 853 frame.

Little tip here that may come in handy
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12608892

Stoo61

Came very close to getting one of these, albeit with a lesser spec. How much did you pay, if you dont mind me asking?

Tis bonny

supersonic

Lovely bike.

BorisSpencer

Aaah, that brings back memories... what they look like clean.

TarkMalbot

Stoo61 wrote:

Came very close to getting one of these, albeit with a lesser spec. How much did you pay, if you dont mind me asking?

Tis bonny

It was £1195.40 including P+P.

It was £999.95 for the standard bike but then I upgraded to the Reba Race for £100 XT Group for £150 and the Race Face Deus XC for £50 bringing it to a total of £1,294.95 but then you get 10% discount at the checkout and the postage is £29.95. Total price £1195.40

dunker

very nice looking bike there congrats

The Big Cheese

Simply gorgeous!

Love it! 8)

TarkMalbot

It has been on its first trail yesterday! I took it round the Loughrigg circuit to get back into the swing of things. I am even more pleased with it now!



Time to get it out of the van and clean it now. Good excuse for a few close ups too

TarkMalbot

A few detailed shots:

Anonymous

its not something i say very often about hardtails but i really like the look of that, nice spec too.

Whytepeak

Nice bike, 'steel is real'...and all that.

great value too.

TarkMalbot

Another photo at 7 Stanes at Newcastleton:

My RockLobster and the wife's GT.

adb1006

Move that quick release! You'll thank me when you've still got your rebound adjuster in a couple of weeks time

TarkMalbot

I will do I promise. I dont really knwo how to but I am sure I will work it out.

adb1006

TarkMalbot wrote:

I will do I promise. I dont really knwo how to but I am sure I will work it out.

ha ha.
It's pretty straight forward, just undo the quick release, take it out and flip it round so the lever is on the otherside of the forks. Then make sure the lever is under the red rebound adjuster when you do it back up. My mate lost his off of his Tora's - they're about £15 to replace!

TarkMalbot

Ok. I will do it before the next time I ride it.

I have come across a problem though. The paint is coming off on the cable guides on the top tube where the hydraulic hose goes to the back brake. It seems to be flaking off like it has cracked from stress, maybe from bending the guides whilst installing the brake lines.

I guess I will have to use the touch up paint supplied but I am not very pleased about it as I have only done about 30 miles on the bike and have not dropped it or anything so I will send a photo to Merlin and see what they say..

I will pos photos up when I take them.

TarkMalbot

I put a set of Single Track rims on it with my Nobby Nic 2.4 Tyres but they were too wide so I got some Fat Albert tyres on and put a set of road tyres on the XC wheels.

I put another XT Cassette on and a set of XT solid discs on and the whels swap no problem with no adjustment required at all.

Even though I have a road bike and the Ransom I still enjoy taking the Lobster out for a fast blast on the trails or on bike rides with the wife and horse etc.

Road Lobster:





Offroad Lobster:



Since then I have put those pedals on the Ransom and have XT Trail PD-M785 clipless pedals on.

The Northern Monkey

lovely bike! Nice to see its still going strong!

TarkMalbot

Its very strong! I have had some major crashes and been worried I had really caused some damaged only to pick it up and carry on!

TarkMalbot

The van was bought for looking after the horses but its also great for mountain biking!!

TarkMalbot

I still have this bike. I was just chatting to a friend at work about them and searched google and found the photos of my bike from the forum so I thought I would check in.

It is now back running its original wheels with some Fat Albert tyres and I had several issues with the Xt brakes not seeming to work no matter what I changed so I swapped the whole lot out for a new set of SLX. They are a more modern design by 10 years but part of me is still a little upset that everything else is period correct and matching XT apart from the brakes. They do now work and slow me down so that's the main thing I suppose.

It is my only mountain bike now after selling the Scott so I am looking at a dropper seat post now.

BorisSpencer

Just received an email to say this thread had a new post.
Haven't been on the forum for several years, but like you I still have my RL and it's still my 'go to' ride.

billycool

My 2006 Stumpjumper is still running Panaracer Fire XC Pro (tubeless) in 2.1. Just love those tyres.

Only original parts are the frame and forks but it's still a lovely bike to ride.

I'm sure you can get some period XT brakes from somewhere? I'm sure my mate runs them on his Fat Bike.

veronese68

That's a lovely bike, glad you're still using it.

dommccabe17

Merlin are missing a trick not doing these anymore. I loved mine back in the day. I'd have another in a heart beat, especially after my latest alloy frame (zaskar 2017) cracked at the chain stay!

TarkMalbot

BillyCool wrote:

My 2006 Stumpjumper is still running Panaracer Fire XC Pro (tubeless) in 2.1. Just love those tyres.

Only original parts are the frame and forks but it's still a lovely bike to ride.

I'm sure you can get some period XT brakes from somewhere? I'm sure my mate runs them on his Fat Bike.

I still have the original XT brakes so may take them to a proper bike shop and get them to sort it out once and for all and then the bike would be back to standard. I have just bought a new 29er but will be keeping the Lobster so it would be good to have it back with its original brakes some time.

ToneC

dommccabe17 said:

Merlin are missing a trick not doing these anymore. I loved mine back in the day. I'd have another in a heart beat, especially after my latest alloy frame (zaskar 2017) cracked at the chain stay!

Agreed. I do keep an eye out to see if I can find one at the right time and right price. Its one of the retro bikes like my 98 Rock hopper I have that i want...

MTB_Roadtripper

Aaah I remember lusting after these in my younger years. Would love to make a wee rat bike out of one.