Kemo Sabe

[Benny]

My poor old Trek MTB frame.[:(] I just can't seem to let it get settled into a configuration for very long. It has been through so many Frankenbike conversions from "Snidely Whiplash" to several versions of "Lugnut". I think I may have zeroed in on the bike it was meant to be. "Kemo Sabe" is a Jack of all trades. At home on the road, but undeterred by gravel driveways, dirt roads, rough pavement or even singletrack. Commuter, Greenway bike, errand bike, around town bike, whatever. The tires are smooth enough for road riding, fat enough for rough surfaces and treaded enough to turn in the dirt. The oddball handlebars are comfortable and give good control in a wide variety of conditions. The friction bar end shifters work beautifully with the triple front and 8 speed rear. I like it.[:)] Time for a new name. Kemo Sabe (what Tonto called the Lone Ranger) means "trusted scout".

Kemo Sabe and faithful sidekick, preparing for battle.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Lugnut/Kemo.jpg

First ride
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Lugnut/Mbday4.jpg

Road levers for linear pull brakes
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Lugnut/Levers1.jpg

Mid-build
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Lugnut/preview1.jpg

The way it was (Lugnut)
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Lugnut/reborn1.jpg

Full specs

Frame: 1992 Trek 970 - True Temper OX Comp II dbl butted chromoly tubing (made in USA)
Fork: Tange Big Fork - Triple butted chromoly - not suspension corrected (OEM)
Wheels: Sun Rhyno Lite rims, Shimano LX 32 hole non-disk hubs, 14g SS spokes
Tires: Performance Forte FasTrac 26X1.9 smooth center MTB tires - folding bead
F.Der.: Shimano Deore (recent model)
R. Der.: Shimano Deore (recent model)
Crankset: Shimano Alivio 22/32/44 square taper ($10 Nashbar closeout) Nashbar BB
Pedals: Crank Bros. Smarty
Cassette: Shimano 8 speed, 11-28
Chain: KMC 7/8 speed
Shifters: Schwinn-labeled Suntour ratcheting friction bar ends (snagged from Uncle Duke)
Stem: Nashbar comfort 1-1/8
Handlebar: Origin-8 Gary Bar - MTB drop bar
Brake levers: Tektro RL520 road brake levers for linear pull brakes
Brakes: Tektro linear pull (like V-brakes)
Seat post: Kalloy
Saddle: Brooks Flyer
Rear rack: Blackburn Mtn Rack
Bottle cages: Blackburn stainless steel, of course. (lighter than aluminum and no marks on water bottles)


Benny,

Ride your bicycle!

[Benny]

Before Kemo Sabe, there was Lugnut. Here is the post I made when I made it into a real MTB configuration.
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I just undid one of my Frankenbike creations. I bought a Trek 970 lugged steel MTB frame a couple of years ago and built it up so I could get back into MTB riding after a long break. I had so much fun riding it, I decided to get a more modern bike and try racing. So I got the Specialized Rockhopper and had a lot of fun riding and racing it. The Trek was converted into a casual road bike with slick tires and a more upright riding position. Soon I will be getting a new MTB with the team discount from Oconee Outfitters that I get for racing for them last season. I'm parting out the Rockhopper, so I needed a MTB to ride in the meantime. The Trek was not being used very much in its new mode, so I decided to put it back the way it wuz. Witness the return of the rigid lugged steel mountain bike, Lugnut.

How it was set up for the road
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2082638934_f0aee1dbe6.jpg

How it looks now
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2082452744_cc6a160b22_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2082453854_eeca92a63e_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/2081670729_cba43fc7b3_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/2082453254_a4cc4af481_o.jpg

One improvement this time is the front shifter. Instead of the indexed Rapidfire shifter I had been using, I put on an old Suntour bar top thumb shifter to handle the triple rings on the crank. I have never liked indexed front shifting. I can never set them just right to shift well and not rub the chain at either end of the range of rear gears. The Rapidfire shifter works great in the rear.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2082455332_d0024ca9dd_o.jpg

I had a great time riding the bike. The rigid front end was harsher going over roots and rocks, but the rear end was noticeably smoother on this steel frame than the aluminum bike was. It also steers more precisely and was more confidence inspiring in turns. I noticed a big improvement in my ability to make mid-turn corrections, especially on fast, sandy curves.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2082451218_fe1606137a_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2409/2081667887_b86288b174_o.jpg

And the Rockhopper? Its parts are waiting to be made into something new.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2082638946_a9af34c7a5_o.jpg