Carrera Kraken

mathematics
mathematics Posts: 453
edited April 2016 in Your mountain bikes
Hi all.

I managed to snaffle a Kraken frame for a cheeky tenner and I had an old hardtail so i decided to transfer over the bits.

58546AA8-CE01-4A34-A173-1D4ACDFC9CF4_zps7lhnloe4.jpg

FCE00B36-C644-43B8-8ED5-86ECCCE620E7_zpsbmifewls.jpg

Its been ok for the last few months however I am planning a full overhaul and moving the parts from the Kraken to the Vulcan I'm building for the wife!
Yesterday I stripped it down for a respray at a friends car body shop

20141006_200743_zpszvt1lvdb.jpg

The plan is to replace bit by bit, trying to save weight but on a budget budget!

I've replaced bar and stem so far and a new chainset and BB are the way after bending the old one - oops.

OLD

20140909_193039_zpsdaicnpzw.jpg

NEW

20140911_173342_zpsmh2bpfjg.jpg

OLD

20140909_192201_zpslfu2z3py.jpg

NEW

20140909_192437_zpschosrh5f.jpg

More mods on the way once the frame is back and shiny :D

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Good to see the old Carrera frames getting the attention they deserve.

    Please add the bike to the Carrera HT thread (link in my sig), also feel free to have a look at my own Kraken (link in sig as well) that is currently getting a new wheelset.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    New chainset arrived today with a new BB.

    20141015_130923_zpsut3v8qlh.jpg

    A bit lighter than the old chainest and BB - a saving of 333g. Add that to the 5KG ive lost in weight over the last few weeks - thats quite a saving!

    Still waiting for the frame to come back from the bodyshop - will i need to get the BB shell faced now i'm using a hollowtech?
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The correct answer is yes, however on mine as I was using a used BB Deore anyway I didn't, and as the used BB lasted me 7 months I decided my frame was probably square and didn't bother. That said my daughters frame was horrendous and facing was an absolute must!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    What was the old hardtail you stripped to build this? Just wondering whether the frame change is any sort of upgrade.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    It was a really old Claud Butler frame - it had seen much better days.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    The Rookie wrote:
    The correct answer is yes, however on mine as I was using a used BB Deore anyway I didn't, and as the used BB lasted me 7 months I decided my frame was probably square and didn't bother. That said my daughters frame was horrendous and facing was an absolute must!

    This may sound daft but how did you find it was horrendous? Was it visibly out?
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Visibly not even flat, we ended up taking nearly 1mm off one side and that still meant the machined face was only 80% of the circumference!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Got the frame back tonight, along with new Seatpost. Hopefully get building in the morning and fingers crossed the BB shell is square enough!

    20141024_223511_zpst1fdycea.jpg
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Had a little time this am.

    20141025_123248_zpsh9qx1nus.jpg

    20141025_124922_zps0xcwsv6b.jpg

    Not feeling the white calipers - upgrade haha!! Think I might got the fork lowers painting black too
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Finished just need to adjust a few bits and bobs for comfort

    20141025_145435_zpsoeziz0ui.jpg
  • buddy_club
    buddy_club Posts: 935
    Nice that, good job ;)
    Framebuilder
    Handbuilt Steel 29er https://goo.gl/RYSbaa
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    Triban:http://goo.gl/v63FBB
  • Cqc
    Cqc Posts: 951
    That's a really big improvement to how it was. I hope you enjoy Riding it!
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Thanks guys - hopefully going to the peaks district in the morning :D
  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    Looks really good that mate, you've done a cracking job
    Trance 27.5 Hoodoo Her Scott Contessa Daughter's Vulcan
  • AndyPatio
    AndyPatio Posts: 76
    Stealth! I like it :) Hope it rides well
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Really clean looking, shows how dated that original colour scheme was!

    You can see how little the frame changed to the next colour scheme (mine was the silver) if you look at pics of mine.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    After stannage ride today

    20141026_133425_zpsjko321mt.jpg

    My mate sporting his beard with the bikes at stannage pole

    20141026_130930_zps37fvzo8d.jpg
  • Natofade
    Natofade Posts: 19
    Looks like an altogether different bike with the colour change. Have the lighter components made a big difference to the way it rides? (Excuse the newbie question!)
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Thank you.

    The components haven't really got hugely lighter apart from the forks. The forks make a big difference to the ride aswell as the weight. But it's difficult to tell as since I last rode it I've lost 6kg myself!

    But it feels better IMO.

    This week I've put a cassette and chain on - gone from 11/30 to a 11/32 cassette.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    'Twas a little muddy locally today, a lovely day for riding all the same.

    20141109_130238_zpsxpt1tsm6.jpg

    New cassette and chain made shifts feel slicker, despite ten tons of mud!!
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    At least your tyres were shedding mud, last muddy ride I did mine were picking up mud like a snowball rolling down a hill, came to a dead halt in 100 yards with the fork arch and chainstay bridge clogged solid!

    Once weighed my bike looking a bit like yours before washing, it lost 2.3Kg through washing!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Right long time no speak or ride.

    Since the last pic I've added superstar wheels, Deore brakes and maxxis tyres. Now I've acquired some xt shifters 10 speed and 3 speed. Which derailleur should I get to convert up to 10 speed?

    I know I need new cassette and chain and hoping I can get away with 9 sped chainset.
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Current shot before gets drivetrain upgrade

    ABD8D8E4-0E06-4BA6-B98E-A3F2B75E56CD_zpsbcogpvng.jpg
  • specialeyes
    specialeyes Posts: 542
    That's tidy, what a difference a spray makes. Used to love my old kraken, lairy Orange and silver job.
    Hardrock Sport Disc

    Cotic bfe
  • mathematics
    mathematics Posts: 453
    Haha thanks I nearly went high viz orange!!
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    There is a chain missing!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.

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