The Apollo Project

leaflite

edhornby wrote:

quality :-) both the thread and the bike

the only concern I would have is keeping the rear shock mud-free when it's not dry, would some form of bodge with a pop bottle cut to shape and judicious use of cable ties be worth trying ?

Thanks!
I could probably bodge a rear mudguard, or maybe mount on of those fender bender things backwards or something-will probably give it a go if it starts to get muddy again.

Update:
New rubber! Maxxis 2.35 Kevlar High Rollers front and rear-the old michelins really were useless!
New grips! (well, sort of) We have ordered some superstar excell grips with orange lockrings, but they sent us the wrong ones so we are now waiting for a replacement to arrive in the post.
Wiggle now say that the estimated delivery time of the saddle will be in mid may.

5pudgun

edhornby wrote:

quality :-) both the thread and the bike

the only concern I would have is keeping the rear shock mud-free when it's not dry, would some form of bodge with a pop bottle cut to shape and judicious use of cable ties be worth trying ?

Squeeze a bit of old inner tube around it

97th choice

Awesome, please can we get pics of this bike getting some air, or a vid would be even better.

leezer

unbelievable build......

rc10andy

yeehaamcgee wrote:

jklash1987 wrote:

MountainMonster wrote:

Definitely resize, I was scrolling for millions of years just to see the frame, let alone look at the whole thing.

sad
Couldn't just Right Click and View Image?

Should be down to the OP no not mess it up, really.
Prevention is better than cure.

tbikeradar

what a great project, like how it has invaded your living room with all the tools!

leaflite

Final Update:

The new saddle has finally arrived :shock:

Ill get some pics and put them up shortly.

CitizenLee

Bike looks great, well worth the effort!

Anonymous

How does it ride, compared to other full suss machines, and how much does it weigh now, all in?

leaflite

yeehaamcgee wrote:

How does it ride, compared to other full suss machines, and how much does it weigh now, all in?

I havent acutally weighed it, so I cant give an actual weight, but it is definately much lighter than a carrera kraken which has a claimed weight of 13.2kgs, so Id estimate around 12-12.6kgs all in.

The ride is "interesting". It is perfectly capable for most trails-it has been round both red routes at cannock, llandgela, grisedale and whinlatter and has coped with it all well. However, the suspension doesnt seem quite as active/sensitive/plush as other full sussers I have been on. This might be down to the rear shock though-im told that the rockshox ario isnt really the best of rear shocks.
Especially with the wide bars though, it seems very stable and is enjoyable to ride, which is the main thing I suppose.

It will be used for the rest of the season until the titus is finished

Anonymous

Cool. Sorry if I was repeating quetions already asked, it's been a long time since I saw this thread.

the707

just been trying to find some specs for an old bike of mine as some of the components need replacing. So I did a google search and found nothing, I then clicked images to see if I could see it but still nothing. That was until I noticed a pic of a similar frame sprayed lime green. So thanks for this! I own a 18.5inch Apollo vendetta 2003 and this forum has really helped me out.

The frame is in good nick, very light and hasn't rusted at all. Around 2004 I replaced the front suspension with a hand me down axel pair which are 10xs better than the apollo ones although they will need replacing sometime soon. I also replaced the rear derailleur, brakes, shifters, back wheel, cassette and seat post. But everything else is still original.

So I now have my very own apollo project and I am looking at getting the frame re-sprayed and replacing everything on it.

last week I installed a shimano deore crankset and bottom bracket and now I am trawling ebay for better lighter components.

Thanks for the inspiration.

benpinnick

What is the shock on the frame? Specifically whats the length and stroke? I have a couple of old Fox shocks kicking around that look like the right size. You can have one for free if you want

the707

I have no idea what it is, the label on it is barely visible but it was part of the original bike and no doubt it ways more than the frame haha!

I think leaflite mentioned in a previous post that it was 160mm ish eye to eye. not quite sure though.

would be great if you could help me out

phil_pompey

the707 wrote:

just been trying to find some specs for an old bike of mine as some of the components need replacing. So I did a google search and found nothing, I then clicked images to see if I could see it but still nothing. That was until I noticed a pic of a similar frame sprayed lime green. So thanks for this! I own a 18.5inch Apollo vendetta 2003 and this forum has really helped me out.

The frame is in good nick, very light and hasn't rusted at all. Around 2004 I replaced the front suspension with a hand me down axel pair which are 10xs better than the apollo ones although they will need replacing sometime soon. I also replaced the rear derailleur, brakes, shifters, back wheel, cassette and seat post. But everything else is still original.

So I now have my very own apollo project and I am looking at getting the frame re-sprayed and replacing everything on it.

last week I installed a shimano deore crankset and bottom bracket and now I am trawling ebay for better lighter components.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Very good thread, nice end product and chapter 2 beggins. Keep updating us on your projects. Be proud that you have saved another bike from the scrap yard!

And mate, who ever did your paint job from a spray can needs to go into business. The finish looks top notch. I've seen worse come back from a proffesional sprayer.

benpinnick

@leaflite/the707

Shocks I have are vanilla r 165 x 40. Not sure if you could use them. Good nick shox though. I have 2, so one each.

the707

benpinnick wrote:

@leaflite/the707

Shocks I have are vanilla r 165 x 40. Not sure if you could use them. Good nick shox though. I have 2, so one each.

just got the tape measure out and its exactly 165mm eye to eye. I was looking at a fox vanilla air float on ebay but leaflite said they aren't that great.

may save my money though for a respray, has anyone had any experience with Argos racing cycles http://www.argoscycles.com/, the local bike shop uses them and said they are pretty good. Or does anyone know of a decent spray shop near to Oxford?

thanks!!

mrmonkfinger

genius, just genius

IT66T

I've not been a member on here long and have just read your project thread and i must say that i'm really impressed with how it all turned out 8) .

snotty badger

I would badge it up as an Apollo again, the bike snobs on the trail would be gutted when you pass them..

5pudgun wrote:

edhornby wrote:

quality :-) both the thread and the bike

the only concern I would have is keeping the rear shock mud-free when it's not dry, would some form of bodge with a pop bottle cut to shape and judicious use of cable ties be worth trying ?

Squeeze a bit of old inner tube around it

I wouldn't do that, if any muck gets in it will be trapped and cause more problems. I think I'd put a mucky nuts on the back.

richardjiles

Wow, this is an amazing project, well done
I know this is old but it would be so funny passing people on a bike that says apollo

allthegearnoidea

appologies for continuing the old thread but awesome bike! Love it,
any updates on it now?? hows the bike been over the last year?? Is great to see whats typically laughed at being sorted and ridden with the big guys!!
welll done fella!!

leaflite

allthegearnoidea wrote:

appologies for continuing the old thread but awesome bike! Love it,
any updates on it now?? hows the bike been over the last year?? Is great to see whats typically laughed at being sorted and ridden with the big guys!!
welll done fella!!

It worked very well at the beginning, but after about 1 year of riding unfortunately the bushings/bearings in the rear triangle went. The frame is hanging up on the wall at the moment whilst I get round to sourcing new ones.

Twelly

leaflite wrote:

allthegearnoidea wrote:

appologies for continuing the old thread but awesome bike! Love it,
any updates on it now?? hows the bike been over the last year?? Is great to see whats typically laughed at being sorted and ridden with the big guys!!
welll done fella!!

It worked very well at the beginning, but after about 1 year of riding unfortunately the bushings/bearings in the rear triangle went. The frame is hanging up on the wall at the moment whilst I get round to sourcing new ones.

Ah so the one bit of Apollo-ness left gave out. So you really can't polish a turd,

Love the build though it looks great and so much more interesting than reading someone bolting together £10k's worth of carbon fibre, NASA designed, space bike.

Bravo