My budget return to mtb after a 5 year gap

stillyoung

I've been away from bikes for about five years now after being forced to get rid of my Norco and Santa Cruz rides due to a messy divorce from a money grabbing, shameless, self absorbed,,,,,,,,,, anywho I digress.

It was time I got back in to it but on my (very) limited budget nowadays I've had to take what I can get.

Not the usual nice rides you get on here but I'm pleased to own them.

First was a Giant Terrago frame circa 09(?). Built from a frame and forks purchased from ebay and built using parts from a tired Carrera Subway2 from the same place.



Latest is a 2011 Carrera Banshee (told you I'm on a budget), had a few changes since photo, Lizard skins chainstay protector, odi lock ons, crud catcher, new set of rubber, new bb and a rear mech hanger.



After my time away from riding it's great to be back out there.

Thanks for looking

Sir.Swish

Both built in the same way mine are Donor parts, never thrown 'em away! Welcome back to the saddle

97th choice

I loved my banshee, it's was bargain fun and coped with anything

stillyoung

It's all about the bargains my brother took the subway frame and forks off my hands so it hasn't been wasted.

Looking forward to getting out and about this year. For the money I'm very impressed with the Banshee, very nice ride and more than capable of the terrain around me.

Cqc

The banshee looks nice... How much did it cost you?

The Rookie

|The Banshee is far from a bad bike (especailly the later ones which don't snap the drive side seat stay) sure the frame is a bit 'big boned' but they can be made into a good ride. A mate has one on a Reba, SLX brakes and chainset and Halo wheels....

stillyoung

The Rookie wrote:

|The Banshee is far from a bad bike (especailly the later ones which don't snap the drive side seat stay) sure the frame is a bit 'big boned' but they can be made into a good ride. A mate has one on a Reba, SLX brakes and chainset and Halo wheels....

I have to agree, it's 2011 according to the frame number and the previous owner used it very hard with no problems. After reading all the bad reviews I was more curious than put off, after riding it I'm very pleased I decided to form my own opinion, could do with a better rear shock though.

Cqc wrote:

The banshee looks nice... How much did it cost you?

£150 off the bay of evil.
An unexpected bonus was the guy actually lived in my aunts old house, but he didn't hold that against me thank christ, cracking bloke, he was just waiting on his new Bionicon.

The Rookie

Is yours the Raidon? Look out for a used Banshee Epicon, much better shock.

For £150 that is a steal! They usually go for nearly double that.

97th choice

sold my 2008 banshee x for £350

stillyoung

The Rookie wrote:

Is yours the Raidon? Look out for a used Banshee Epicon, much better shock.

For £150 that is a steal! They usually go for nearly double that.

It is pal yes, on the hunt for a reasonable epicon at the minute, need a lock out badly

Took a pic with the lock ons, crud catcher and chain stay protector on today as I had them out of the cave while fitting a ground anchor.



This is just after I got the banshee and had swapped a few of the good bits round.

97th choice wrote:

sold my 2008 banshee x for £350

I was the only bidder too lol It had a misleading description and finished at a strange time so I struck lucky.

Sir.Swish

T25 ftw

stillyoung

Sir.Swish wrote:

T25 ftw

Hell yeah! Wouldn't be without the aircooled klunker, it makes getting to your destination an acheivement rather than just a journey.

Sir.Swish

Haha, looks super clean (ignoring the puncture :P) Westfalia pop-top?

stillyoung

Sir.Swish wrote:

Haha, looks super clean (ignoring the puncture :P) Westfalia pop-top?

Puncture? No no no, that's an inbuilt anti theft system that is

It's an emc high top skyscraper, restored it three years back myself at weekends and nights when I worked for a vw restoration company.

Before



After



Just doing some engine work to make it a bit more reliable for this year.

stillyoung

Been working my way through the Banshee figuring out what to replace to get it how I want it.

Ordered a Madison Flux seat, dmr v8's and upsized the discs, still waiting on the caliper adaptor for the front. Next month I'm looking to replace the bars and stem, still on the lookout for a bargain basement epicon rear shock (lockout much needed) all on a tight budget but it's getting there. Will post pics when the bits get here.

The Rookie

The Epicons can be found, while they have lockout, they don't need it as much as the damper is much better, alternatively you find a cheapish bike with one on, swap for yours and sell the bike on!

The later frame has a solid section on the driveside chainstay, the earlier ones were tubular and snapped about level with the tips of a 42t chainring.

stillyoung

The Rookie wrote:

The Epicons can be found, while they have lockout, they don't need it as much as the damper is much better, alternatively you find a cheapish bike with one on, swap for yours and sell the bike on!

The later frame has a solid section on the driveside chainstay, the earlier ones were tubular and snapped about level with the tips of a 42t chainring.

Good call, I'll keep my out for one.

This one does appear to have the forged section rather than tubular yes.

stillyoung

School boy error time. Fitted the 180 rotor on the back and a new 203 on the front then went for a little ride up the road to see what it was like. Back brake was a big improvement over the 160, front brake was all or nothing, it was like it was just slipping until i grabbed a handfull of lever.
Got back and ran a finger round the front rotor and the penny dropped. I've only gone and ridden it without removing the bloody rust prevention coating of light oil :roll: Feck and indeed balls!

The Rookie

Indeed, as that is a light fluid you could try my trick, soak the pads in petrol for 24hours then bake in an oven on maximum for 30 minutes, it's recovered a few sets of pads (but not all!).

stillyoung

The Rookie wrote:

Indeed, as that is a light fluid you could try my trick, soak the pads in petrol for 24hours then bake in an oven on maximum for 30 minutes, it's recovered a few sets of pads (but not all!).

I'll give it a shot before ordering new ones, cheers pal.

stillyoung

Found some pads in my stash that still had a little life left in them so fitted the rest of my upgrades and took advantage of a half day to go round the cycle trail at work while the place is still closed to the public. Nice afternoon, clocked up nearly twenty miles, nice views too.







I've really got to start showing the hardtail some love again