29er Superbow project

naffa

Well I have always loved the Corratec Superbow but I never thought I'd be able to afford one. I love the frame design its unique to my knowledge and you dont see too many around.
I wasn't really looking for one though and I really wasn't interested in getting a 29'er, I'm really in love with my dirty-jo.
So when I was browsing PB I thought I'll have a look in the 29'er section and saw this Superbow frame which was for sale about 10 minutes drive from my home.
This morning I phoned the seller and arranged to view the frame. All I can say is I was smitten. Apart from some small scratches its totally sound and doesn't look as though its had a hard life.

I've just got to start getting things together for it now such as wheels and forks, might take a while.
What you think? I know the pics arent the best cause I was rushing before work and using my phone.

paulneenan76

Looks cool - never seen one before.

Look forward to seeing it built up.

DanDax1990

Yeahhhhhhh. Love these frames!

mountaincookie

That is one the most beautiful frames I've ever seen! Stunning!

Levi_501

I nearly bought a Corratec on the internet but ended up buying a Marin as I had seen one in the flesh.

I just could justify buying the Corratec blind and anyone I spoke to had never heard of them.

I would be very interested in hearing what it is like.

petriodet

Levi_501 wrote:

I nearly bought a Corratec on the internet but ended up buying a Marin as I had seen one in the flesh.

I just could justify buying the Corratec blind and anyone I spoke to had never heard of them.

I would be very interested in hearing what it is like.

I own a superbow I really like it, it's super fast and super stiff a real race bike, It was to harsh on the rear so now it has been retired as a hack bike

naffa

I've just done a deal on some Magura forks and a pair of wheels which I will hopefully have by the end of next week so the build will soon be underway.
Also I've just ordered a new Superstar Integrato headset for it

emseens

I never been fan of FUN model, TEAM is more beautiful, bike is bike, still want to see complete bike.

naffa

I wanted to ride today even despite the weather but on yesterdays ride there was something wrong with the front brake on my Dirty Jo. Inspecting it today it was clear the brake pads had disintegrated completely. Ride cancelled so I used my time to start the build up of the Corratec.
I'm waiting for bits and pieces to arrive but yesterday I got my forks, headset and hope stem so I put them on. I'll have to get the steerer cut down though









Hopefully my wheels will be here soon.

Levi_501

Rigids??? I would have thoguht a nice set of Sids or DT Swiss forks would slide in there lovely.

Or are you goign for the diet version?

naffa

I am on the lookout for some 100mm travel forks should I not like it as it is.

naffa

I managed to get some time to fit a few bits to the frame and get it rolling. So far the most expensive part of the build has been the frame. Wheels were a rare eBay bargain. I've got Shimano brakes to fit but I've lost or misplaced my front 180mm rotor so I couldnt really be bothered to fit anything else 'til I find it. (anyone got one lying around they dont need)?

Anyway a few pics.

Levi_501

Looking good, but you need some colour on there; it looks like Batman's MTB!

naffa

I took your advice and added a bit of colour, not too much though.
The weathers a bit crap for brilliant photos but when the suns out or i'm riding again I'll get some decent pics.
I put the finishing touches to the bike yesterday. I'll list the spec:

Corratec superbow trail frame
Giant p-xc wheels
Bontrager 2.3 and 2.1 tubeless tyres
Deore brakes
Slx shifters, cassette and clutch mech
Sram pc 1051 chain and x7 2x10 cahinset, shimano external bb and spd pedals
Carbon forks (inc crown and steerer)
Carbon bars
Hope stem
Selle italia xc saddle on standard post.
Mucky nutz front and rear (front doesnt quite fit right though).

burglarboycie

That is a really nice frame!! I'm a big fan of rigid too

paulneenan76

Lovely looking bike - what a bargain frame. The splash of colour looks class

The mucky nutz? I might be wrong but typically, or at least from what I've seen, the one facing behind the forks is correct and the one facing out, should actually be on the back - facing away from your arse. Wheels turn clockwise blah blah blah. But I could be wrong - I often am apparently

Levi_501

Very cool, Batman would be proud to fight crime on her!

naffa

paulneenan76 wrote:

Lovely looking bike - what a bargain frame. The splash of colour looks class

The mucky nutz? I might be wrong but typically, or at least from what I've seen, the one facing behind the forks is correct and the one facing out, should actually be on the back - facing away from your ars*. Wheels turn clockwise blah blah blah. But I could be wrong - I often am apparently

Thanks for the comments Paul but you've lost me completely on the MN thing

chez_m356

not usually a fan of rigids, but thats a nice looking bike you've put together there

naffa wrote:

Thanks for the comments Paul but you've lost me completely on the MN thing

he means turn it around, the mn is designed for a fork brace on a suspension fork, not a fork crown, it may sit better the other way

naffa

Ahhh...I'll go and give it a try now

naffa

The bike was finished and I even advertised it for sale because I thought I'd riding her would uncomfortable after my accident (a couple of people have stated how hard the ride is on these).
However with a bit of good weather forecast and my injuries feeling a bit better I went for a short ride on her and I wasn't disappointed. She really does ride as good as she looks! Even fully rigid shes not massively uncomfortable with the right tyre pressures. However I realised that with a set of suspension forks this is a bike I could probably keep and ride and maybe it'll even take over from my Dirty Jo as my 'go to' bike.
My mate who I was riding with on Saturday saw some RS Recons for sale on STW and I bought them. They arrived yesterday ad were fitted straight away but I had to wait for today to ride.
I'm still struggling physically from my accident so a long strenuous ride is out of the question, so I chose a fairly flat route using national cycle trails totalling about 32 miles for my ride today.
I'm glad I tried rigid but to be honest hardtail suits me better. I found the Recons compliant and reasonably controilled although nowhere near as good as my Reba's on the Dirty Jo.
I cant believe how easily a 29'er covers the ground, I dont think you get the sense of speed but on the clock it shows.
The only downside to the ride today was a pinch puncture when I tried to jump a small gulley and the rear wheel dropped into it. The tyre deflated immediately but a spare inner tube later and with the help of a co2 inflater I was back on my way.
I dont usually keep my bikes very long. I soon get bored, upgrade, update, get bored again, move on. This bike however has the potential to be a keeper along with my Dirty Jo.
If you get the chance to ride or own one then do, you wont be disappointed I'm sure.

New forks fitted


From todays ride (before the puncture)

JMcP92

"A long ride is out of the question"

"Totalling 32 miles"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I consider 32 miles to be at least a reasonably long ride...?

tman100

Thats a lovely bike. I'm glad you can ride it without too much discomfort.

naffa

JMcP92 wrote:

"A long ride is out of the question"

"Totalling 32 miles"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I consider 32 miles to be at least a reasonably long ride...?

Well thanks for misquoting me there my friend :roll:

chez_m356

naffa wrote:

New forks fitted

ooo real forks, now i really like it

naffa wrote:

JMcP92 wrote:

"A long ride is out of the question"

"Totalling 32 miles"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I consider 32 miles to be at least a reasonably long ride...?

Well thanks for misquoting me there my friend :roll:

thats just a gentle ride for a couple of hours, he needs to get out more

Cogsy1976

I had a 26in Fun Superbow and loved the uniqueness of the frame, I must yours looks absolutely awesome! have fun on it

naffa

I was just thinking about it and reakised I haven't updated the thread through the year.
Im just in the process of rebuilding the 'bow as I now call it. Itll be rebuilt with riychey wcs rims on hope pro2 hubs and ive got a newer xt crank and different grips, but apart from that it will look exactly the same as in this recent pic.


I love riding it and this year apart from local riding ive used it at cannock chase, forest of dean, thre long mynd and best of all nant yr arian, the 1st pic is taken on the excellent syfidrin trail.
Ive got an itch for a full sus bike though so I might hsve to sell this to achieve that.