The Inbred that was once an Avalanche.

snoopsmydogg

By no means a finished article but thought I would start a thread to update my progress as I go.

Originally starting life as a GT Avalanche 3.0 I bought the bike as a frame and headset. Had very little use, I have the original kenda nevegals that came with it and they look pretty much unused.

So I threw a few bits on that were in the garage.



once up and running I thought it would make a half decent commuter/fitness bike. New shifters, bars, stem and slicks went on.



Then the road bike came along so I thought I could have a bit of fun with it and possibly save a bit of weight too. More bars, disc rims, deore hydros, deore shifters and a pair of Manitou forks.



Still not completely satisfied (are we ever ) and going off the weight weenie idea since i could lose more than the bike so off come the manitous and on go a set of 130mm RS Tora solo air along with a 180 front disc. Carbon headset spacers (for that bit of bling) and a kona bashguard so I could remove the rarely used 44t outer ring. The steerer still needs trimming but I need to work out where I want the bars first.



Spec so far:

frame GT Avalanche (circa 2008)
forks RS Tora Solo Air (circa 2011)
Wheels Rigida Zac 2000
shifters deore
front mech deore
rear mech deore xt
brakes deore
bars easton ea50
pedals spdm520
chainset truvativ firex


Quite happy now but still ongoing and next move will most likely be a frame swap. Really like the look of the cotic soul but could easily be persuaded by a carbon 456. Just got to start working on the funds.

Bit of a triggers broom really

The Rookie

I'd have kept the Manitou Blacks, my son has them - great forks.

Good to see another Panaracer Fire XC Pro in use, I have a red stripe on the front of my Kraken (see link in sig).

snoopsmydogg

Don't know which model Manitous they were but have to agree they are brilliant forks. Was told they were slivers but without decals I couldn't tell. I have yet to try the RS other than putting a bit of air in them and having a play last night but they feel good, plusher than the Manitous but about half a kilo heavier. not yet tried on the trails so I will be keeping hold of both until i'm happy. Whichever I decide to sell I will get my money back pretty much all parts are discounted or from the classifieds (not a big fan of ebay for used bike parts)

I like the panaracers mine has just come off the back as I had an unbranded 2.3/4" front tyre but hopefully going to be taking advantage of the on-one sale and getting some folding racing ralphs or nobby nics to replace both but not decided which yet.

The Rookie

That looks like a Black although the Blacks are air spring (as are Slivers) and that looks like it may have a preload knob on the left hand side? (Hard to tell from the photo and angle)

snoopsmydogg

yep there is a preload knob on the top of the left hand fork leg. the top of the right leg controls compression and lockout, bottom for rebound. From memory weight is around 1600-1700g with a 195mm steerer if that helps.

Had a quick google when I bought it and it pretty much matched the spec of a 2007 sliver fitted as standard to the Gary Fisher HooKooEKoo of that year (limited specs available but manitou service manual has them down as coil with oil bath)

TBH I wasn't really concerned what model it was as it was cheap, worked well and was relatively light but if it was an air fork would it not have a presta valve instead of a preload adjuster?

The Rookie

Would have a Schraeder valve cap where the preload is, yes...OK didn't know they did a coil sliver, the one I had was air...sounds a bit light for a coil as the 120mm Air Blacks are 1690g although my 100mm Skarebs are 1450g....

snoopsmydogg

A bit of an update, bought a frame to replace the original from a poster on here (cheers Barry ).



added a new FSA headset, SRAM 970 cassette, new shifters and fitted some of the parts from the GT - Forks, chainset, wheels, brakes, bars etc.





Not had a chance to ride it yet after a few issues setting up the rear mech but hopefully tonight and will then know whether to lower the forks to 115/120mm. A 50mm stem and 400mm seatpost are also on their way so once fitted I can look to cut the steerer tube down.

Once finished I will start adding putting some of the old parts on the classifieds.

snoopsmydogg

Well the first few rides out have been pretty good, not sure see what all the fuss is about steel (although that could be inexperience) but otherwise having a slightly smaller frame and shorter cockpit have helped with my confidence.

A few more changes....

Mavic 819 with XT hubs, I had some folding speed kings that I bought a while back so I thought why not even though it may be a little early for these tyres yet.







Fleegle bars, yet to be taken on the trails. 60mm unbranded stem.



Still need to cut down the fork steerer though.