Old school MTB reborn...

Lars1974

Hi all,

This will be a short build report of my old Claud Butler MTB reborn as a Hardbreaker Commuting tool full with pics....so be warned.

Here is what the old
Claud looked like.



It was never the prettiest bike, but I have had it for over ten years and it was getting all very tired. I do have more modern machinery ( a spech Stumpy FSR, a Ghost 29er HT and a proper road bike ) but I still kept the old Claud and did go for rides round the local lanes etc.



It still had gripshift gears and old style brakes.
My place of work is re-locating and in fact will be within 5 mls of my home, currently its over 20. That got me thinking that I could than cycle to work daily - therefore I would need a commuting bike as all the others are too specific.... What do they always say: Horses for courses...so the thought pattern turned towards the Claud and what could be done.

My best friend from back home in Germany has recently started up his own bike repair, rebuild, customising business and so we both agreed that my Claud will be one of the first projects.

So a few weeks ago I took the Claud over to him and he started taking it apart. We know it would be a full rebuild, so frame powder coating, new V brakes, as for gears I wanted single on the front and than 6,7,8 on the back. There are no real hills on the route to work. New saddle, handlebar and all other bits and pieces, but all still on a decent budget - nothing too crazy....

The work started with frame being powder coated (some of the build pics were taken just by mobile phone and in not great light, so apology for quality...)

frame back after coating



Than crank and seat post is added. As for crank we did go for almost a road crank size...also new V brakes were added



As for wheels my mate sources some nice 2nd hand wheels, but with full shimano hubs and RED rims!



We fitted a road size rear cassette 7 speedand to keep the chain in the right place a chain guide was also fitted...at this point it started to look rather nice...



Rear mech is also a used shimano LX..



A nice seat is always a must



And today
I received the first proper photos of the final bike build and I am well happy with the outcome!

Here is the new front view...



And finally the reborn Claud as a Hardbreaker ( my mates bike name - as in hard to break! )



It will be a few weeks before I can pick it up and I cant wait...
I am assured it looks even better in the flesh!

anyway, thats all. Just thought I share it with you guys!
Thx Lars

mahesket

I like that, looking to do something similar with my old raleigh just working on it at the moment.

stubs

Looks gorgeous but its now desireable and thieving scallys will be wanting to nick it and sell it for sweets or whatever street urchins buy nowadays. Hope you have a secure place to store it at work and a hugemongous chain/lock.

sweetwheels

Really nicely done. Just the right amount of bling without being garish.

tarbot18

very nice that'll be great for commuting ,wish i had done something similiar to my old giant terrago rather than give it away

Trippy

I've seen this somewhere already!

Lars1974

Finally added the last bits.... Mudguard, basic pedals for now



Bike is now almost complete...



Will go for first proper ride soon...

Cqc

Dayum gurrrl....

Lars1974

Took the new build for its first ride today... Runs sweet!



Just need to get a set of clip in pedals and Its complete.

stubs

Looks really good

stubs

Damn you got me looking at old frames on ebay LOL

IT66T

I'm loving what you've done to the old Claud 8) and it's making me want to do something similar when i can get my old bike back from me daughters and as already mentioned earlier go get a decent lock as their will be plenty of little fingers wanting to steal it now ..

*AJ*

Great work!

I'd kinda like something like that to commute on, as my orange Msisle is a bit overkill! But I don't like riding something so different to the "big bike" on a daily basis.

Lars1974

Thanks guys for all the nice comments and I apologize if I have given some of you bad ideas

Took the new bike for a 100k ride today through Windsor Great Park and along the Thames and Jubilee river...
She runs very sweet and I averaged 19.2km/h and was not pushing. (50/50 between on and off road)

1x7 gearing seems enough. I got up all the hills and pedal comfortably at 20-22mph in top gear.
Brakes are good too and the mudguards do their job perfectly. Enough clearance for off road bits, but keep the dirt off me and the bike (mostly)

Here are some pics from today







And finally one with me in it whilst on a short brake...and nice helmet hair!




Enjoy
Lars

IT66T

It's a shame the sun wasn't shining but your bike still looks the part in the out doors 8) and nice right up on the first trip out but you've certainly got me working on ideas for my commuter lol ..

Lars1974

Been using the bike now for a while and its just right for
And i dont have to stick just to tarmac!



Now i am just thinking of adding some of these battery less lights.

http://shop.reelight.com/bicycle-lights/20-rl700-set/

And than its perfect for the winter time.

CitizenLee

Lars1974 wrote:

Been using the bike now for a while and its just right for
And i dont have to stick just to tarmac!



Now i am just thinking of adding some of these battery less lights.

http://shop.reelight.com/bicycle-lights/20-rl700-set/

And than its perfect for the winter time.

Very nice bike, and great photo

If I had the time and space I think I'd make a hobby out of building up old bikes.

gt-arrowhead

Wow, thats a great shot. I like what youve done with the bike.

Citizen, its a really great hobby, id do up old bikes just for the sake of it if i had the money