Well, I finally got around to fitting some new gear to my trusty XC bike, a 1998 Bontrager Privateer.
Original 1998 Bontrager Catalogue page
Original Build up with RST forks, Flite seat and Odyssey platforms.
First bought from Clarence Street Cyclery in December 1997, it was my only bike at the time and I rode it everywhere: to uni, DH racing, at the BMX track, around the bush of the Hills district. It was awesome.
Then came 4X and DH bikes and the Bonty got used less and less. It's parts were often whatever old parts got pulled off other bikes. Recently it's been sporting slicks more often than knobbly’s and used mainly for commuting.
Beaten up commuter style, circa 2003.
But now I want my riding to be a bit more well rounded so some more XC/trail rides are in order, and I thought the Bonty would be worth upgrading with a few new parts. And what better parts to put on there than the modern Bontrager parts! As the original headset top cap says, “Light. Strong. Cheap. Pick Two.”
At the top of Mt. Stromlo, APEC Day, 2007
Spec:
Frame: 1998 Bontrager Privateer
Fork: Manitou Black Elite
Headset: Token Notch AA
Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite, 100mm
Handlebar: Bontrager Race X Lite carbon riser
Grips: Bontrager Earl Lock-On
Seatpost: Bontrager Comp (Original! Only because the frame is 27.0 and the new posts only come in 27.2)
Seat: Bontrager Race Lite
Brakes Levers: Avid SD3
Brake Calipers: Shimano Deore XT V’s
Bottom Bracket: Truvative
Cranks: Bontrager Race X Lite carbon
Chain Rings; Truvative (42-32-22)
Shifters: SRAM X.9 triggers
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.9
Cassette: SRAM PG-980
Chain: SRAM PC-911
Pedals: Crank Brothers Smarty
QR’s: Bontrager Ti
Hubs: Bontrager Race Modified
Spokes: DT Double butted
Rims: Bontrager Race Modified
Tubes: Bontrager Race X Lite
Tires: Bontrager Jones ACX
Extras: Bontrager Race Lite bottle cage
It doesn’t have disc tabs, so I’m restricted to V-brakes in the rear, and the wheels I sourced were a non-disc pair so I’m sticking to V-brakes on the front too. I think it’s all sorted now bar the forks. Not sure yet which way to go: SID’s? as they have brake bosses and would suit the XC nature of the bike, or something else and upgrade to a Disc front wheel and cable disc brake. But that’s academic at this stage as I’ve spent all my money…for now.
First ride was on APEC Friday down in Canberra. Stromlo in the morning was fantastic. First time riding the XC trails there and both the Bonty and the trails were awesome. Sure the back end skittered a bit over some of the rocky sections, but it still handles great and powers up the hills too. The steel frame has a great balance between stiffness and vibration absorption. Friday afternoon and we were off to lunch and then Majura pines. In the rain. Mmm…V-brakes. One set of pads later and I was taking it pretty easy around the off-camber downhill corners in the slippery mud with just a front brake. Still good though.
So that’s it from me about my Bonty. Haven’t weighed it yet, and I know I haven’t got many photos on here, but I’ll get back to it soon. Will let you know when I’ve updated it.
‘til then, Happy Trails!
Original 1998 Bontrager Catalogue page
Original Build up with RST forks, Flite seat and Odyssey platforms.
First bought from Clarence Street Cyclery in December 1997, it was my only bike at the time and I rode it everywhere: to uni, DH racing, at the BMX track, around the bush of the Hills district. It was awesome.
Then came 4X and DH bikes and the Bonty got used less and less. It's parts were often whatever old parts got pulled off other bikes. Recently it's been sporting slicks more often than knobbly’s and used mainly for commuting.
Beaten up commuter style, circa 2003.
But now I want my riding to be a bit more well rounded so some more XC/trail rides are in order, and I thought the Bonty would be worth upgrading with a few new parts. And what better parts to put on there than the modern Bontrager parts! As the original headset top cap says, “Light. Strong. Cheap. Pick Two.”
At the top of Mt. Stromlo, APEC Day, 2007
Spec:
Frame: 1998 Bontrager Privateer
Fork: Manitou Black Elite
Headset: Token Notch AA
Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite, 100mm
Handlebar: Bontrager Race X Lite carbon riser
Grips: Bontrager Earl Lock-On
Seatpost: Bontrager Comp (Original! Only because the frame is 27.0 and the new posts only come in 27.2)
Seat: Bontrager Race Lite
Brakes Levers: Avid SD3
Brake Calipers: Shimano Deore XT V’s
Bottom Bracket: Truvative
Cranks: Bontrager Race X Lite carbon
Chain Rings; Truvative (42-32-22)
Shifters: SRAM X.9 triggers
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.9
Cassette: SRAM PG-980
Chain: SRAM PC-911
Pedals: Crank Brothers Smarty
QR’s: Bontrager Ti
Hubs: Bontrager Race Modified
Spokes: DT Double butted
Rims: Bontrager Race Modified
Tubes: Bontrager Race X Lite
Tires: Bontrager Jones ACX
Extras: Bontrager Race Lite bottle cage
It doesn’t have disc tabs, so I’m restricted to V-brakes in the rear, and the wheels I sourced were a non-disc pair so I’m sticking to V-brakes on the front too. I think it’s all sorted now bar the forks. Not sure yet which way to go: SID’s? as they have brake bosses and would suit the XC nature of the bike, or something else and upgrade to a Disc front wheel and cable disc brake. But that’s academic at this stage as I’ve spent all my money…for now.
First ride was on APEC Friday down in Canberra. Stromlo in the morning was fantastic. First time riding the XC trails there and both the Bonty and the trails were awesome. Sure the back end skittered a bit over some of the rocky sections, but it still handles great and powers up the hills too. The steel frame has a great balance between stiffness and vibration absorption. Friday afternoon and we were off to lunch and then Majura pines. In the rain. Mmm…V-brakes. One set of pads later and I was taking it pretty easy around the off-camber downhill corners in the slippery mud with just a front brake. Still good though.
So that’s it from me about my Bonty. Haven’t weighed it yet, and I know I haven’t got many photos on here, but I’ll get back to it soon. Will let you know when I’ve updated it.
‘til then, Happy Trails!
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