Orange Clockwork 1992

cat_with_no_tail

My first ever retro project.

After selling my Awesome Mmmbop due to family commitments I was in the market for something to do the commute on. Looked at a few cheap MTBs and road bikes etc, then purely by chance, came across this on ebay. Always wanted one when I was a boy so figured why not.

Bought off ebay for £150. No idea if that's good or not, it seems grand to me though. Going to be used exclusively as a commuter machine anyway.

Sold as a 1992 but I have no idea if that's correct. If anyone would care to enlighten me, or tell me how I can find out, that would be superb.

Paintjob has seen better days but there are no flakes bubbles or cracks in the frame.

Current spec:
19" Orange Clockwork Frame
Deore LX Hubs on Mavic 231 rims
Deore LX Chainset
Deore LX Front and Rear Mech
Deore V-Brakes with XT Levers
Ritchey Bars

The following upgrades are on the way as we speak:
XT Hubs on Mavic 281 Rims
Raceface Next SL Carbon Bars (Modern part, but I had some laying around off an old XC race build and it's a good way to shave some weight).
Poshbikes Nitrile Foam Grips
Ragley Cheeky Saddle (because it's what I use on everything else)

Frame will be stripped back and re-sprayed (maybe black) when I get round to it.

Weight currently 26.5lbs. Reckon I can get that to 25lbs without too much bother.

woodnut

I reckon that's a good buy. Would love something like that as a winter commuter, just missed an old Marin about the same vintage recently on Ebay by hesitating too long.

toontra

If it's a bottom-pull front mech then it's '90 - '91. If it's top-pull then it's '92 or after

The '92 Clockwork is my favourite MTB. I'm on my 2nd in the last 5 years and I have a 3rd frame under the bed in case of theft! I use them as commuters and (as they have full rack mounts) for fully loaded touring - been over the Pyrenees and will be doing the Alps this year.

A word of caution - they are prone for rusting around the bottom bracket shell. That's what finished my last one off. If I was you I'd remove the bottom bracket and have a good look. If it's not rusty (or if it's only light) then get some frame sealant in there.

cat_with_no_tail

Nice one, good advice thanks! I'll look out for that

Will be giving it a full strip-down and rebuild over the weekend hopefully. Just waiting for some more degreaser to arrive first.

Have to say I was quite pleasantly surprised when it only came in at 26.5lbs complete with wired commuter tyres and pedals. That's

toontra

BTW if you want any more info on vintage Oranges then head over to http://www.retrobike.co.uk There are people there who know every last detail about your bike and where you can get spares.

cat_with_no_tail

toontra wrote:

BTW if you want any more info on vintage Oranges then head over to http://www.retrobike.co.uk There are people there who know every last detail about your bike and where you can get spares.

That's where I bought my "new" wheels from. Already pestering them for more info

Clank

OOooooooo, dats real purdy!

Seriously, that is gorgeous. Nice find, that man. 8)

Andy B

Nice buy that, well worth the £££

Love my '98 Clockwork, it's my most ridden bike of the year for 2010

I'm over on retrobike too, same user name, you still CWNT over there?

cat_with_no_tail

I must say, it's going to take some getting used to.

Having been used to riding the Mmmbop or the 456 for the last 12 months with relatively laid back riding position, the Clockwork is very racey, almost like a flat bar road bike.

Yes Andy B I'm still same user on there.

Paint will be restored to original just as soon as I can find a paint shop to do it for me.

thekickingmule

Glad to see you've got 2 wheels again matey Looks nice and retro too!

toontra

Cat With No Tail wrote:

I must say, it's going to take some getting used to.

Having been used to riding the Mmmbop or the 456 for the last 12 months with relatively laid back riding position, the Clockwork is very racey, almost like a flat bar road bike.

I took mine out on Rapha's "Hell of the North" last year and managed to keep up with many road bikes on the road sections - and then overtake them off road

cat_with_no_tail

Right, after a small amount of shopping and a large amount of polishing, I'd call this finished now although I'm not sure of the bar/stem combo. I have some black "Exotic" scandium bars in the garage, might swap them over or maybe change the stem for a black or silver one. Then again, I may not bother.
It's just a shame the camera can't register the neon orange and makes it look red. :

Frame and Forks: 1991 Orange Clockwork Neon Orange/White fade
Chainset: Shimano LX
Mechs (F&R): Shimano LX
Wheels: XT M732/730 36H hubs laced to Mavic M281 CD rims.
Tyres: Schwalbe Spezial City Jet
Brakes: Deore V-Brakes with XT Levers
Shifters: Deore 7sp Rear and XC Pro Front Thumbies
Stem: Orange stalk 150mm
Post: X-Lite Matrix
Saddle: Ragley Cheeky (not exactly retro, but comfy)
Bars: Ritchey ForceLite
Grips: Posbikes Nitrile
Pedals: Wellgo

Weight: 25.14lbs

*AJ*

Very nice retro build, you have done yourself proud there!!

joshtp

it's good because it's got Nut Lube on the chain.






seriously though.... nice one CWNT... shame the mmmbop had to go though....

cat_with_no_tail

It is a shame, but it would only have been used to commute on, which seems a bit of a waste and it wasn't exactly suited to it anyway.

Been for a quick blast round the block on the clockwork this morning and it's actually very impressive.

The v-brakes are not as dismal as I remember either.

I could drop another 1lb off the weight by swapping rims over from the 281 to some 231s I've got here. But I quite like the 281s, they feel well built and nice and solid.

I think it's pretty good considering it cost a total of about £200 all in.

Beardface

That looks lovely Cat, really really like it. looks like you got a good deal there! It looks great in it's 'finished' pic.

However, we all know that it'll soon be draped in vintage xtr and old school bling.. you won't be able to resist! :P

jayson

Wow that takes me back, i had an original clockwork until it was stolen years ago, i still have a huge soft spot for them though great bike take care of it!!

cat_with_no_tail

Thought I'd try some different bars on there. Exotic Scandium, only weigh 115g too.
Opinions? :

Andy B

Bars look good to me, orange logo on em works with the orange paintjob & flat bars always look right on a retro build of that age

Great build for £200ish, you certainly could not get something of that quality or weight in a more modern 2nd hand bike

That's one thing I love about retro bikes, you can build a great bike that handles pretty well & is quite lightweight for not much £££

EG the '93 KHS I've just built up with XT, Mavic, Ritchey & Titanium bits for under £400, weighing in at 24.41lbs ready to ride with pedals 8)