New winter project: Lipstick on a Pig

[Sandwich]

Recently I've found that I don't get out pure downhilling as much as I used to. I still love it, but between a long drive, gas prices, and a kid possibly coming soon, the concept of owning a full-on, modern DH bike has become less important to me than having money in the bank (or a hooked up trail bike). As a result, I made the decision to sell my last bike...but like any good bikewhore, I can't leave well enough alone.

I think it's pretty easy to spend a lot of money and get a really good bike...but just how little can you spend and still manage to have something rideable? Or even competitive? I present to you my winter project: Lipstick on a pig.





It's an ADR Kaos, and I picked it up for $300. There's nearly no information out there on the frame, but while it looks really similar to an Azonic copy, it's actually got a lot of features that set it apart. First is the 1.5in headtube, and second is a floating brake linkage. It's got a butt-terrble 100mm bottom bracket, and weighs the better part of a house, but it's solid, has ISCG tabs, and a relatively common shock size, so I should be OK. I figure I can plunk around the woods on it just the way it is...

OR, I can mod the heck out of it and see if I can turn it into something better.

First things first, which I'm currently on the hunt for, is the fork. Check out the upper right stanchion. Boo.



I'm working on a cure that will keep the monster going. It's much heavier than any of the big 3 on the market, but it doesn't feel as heavy as some other forks I've owned, and while the damping isn't modern or highly adjustable, it's damned robust, which is exactly what you want from a $300 bike. I'd also like to get a flat crown, so I can slam the bars as low as possible.

Aside from some simple housekeeping, the next step is to hopefully work on slacking it out. The geometry isn't terrible, but it's not good either. I measure 16.7in chainstays, a 14.5" BB height, and a 68.5* HA. I'm hoping that HA is wrong as I never bothered to measure my Sunday, but I've got a long ways to go if I'm going to get to a target of 64 (or so). I'm thinking of short shocking it, adding an angled reducer, and possibly a longer travel fork to get the head angle more respectable, and the bottom bracket right around 14" or less. I'd love to go lower, but I spent $300 on this.

My goals for the project are to modernize as much as possible (weight, angles, suspension), and keep as tight a budget as possible, allowing for minimal spending outside of selling off old items. Hopefully I can raid parts bins and trade old parts out to keep it cheap.

[OBB]

Yeah, excited to follow this. Cool project.

[4130biker]

I can dig it. Its great to have more fun than you "should" be having on something that most people wouldn't give a second glance.
Hopefully the TT is long enough to short shock? Every bike I've done it to winds up feeling a bit cramped.
Definitely interested to see what you come up with!
Ps are the monsters the HSSV damper?
I remember the hissing noise those made on my super t made me feel all fast

[92SE-R]

short shock, offset bushings, angleset.

[Sandwich]

I can dig it. Its great to have more fun than you "should" be having on something that most people wouldn't give a second glance.
Hopefully the TT is long enough to short shock? Every bike I've done it to winds up feeling a bit cramped.
Definitely interested to see what you come up with!
Ps are the monsters the HSSV damper?
I remember the hissing noise those made on my super t made me feel all fast

The TT is probably going to be an issue. I'm hoping that adding very wide bars (800mm) and perhaps a 60mm stem will make it suck less. It feels a little cramped now, but it's also running a 6" higher cockpit height than I was on the Sunday and a couple higher than the Zumbi after that.

The Monsters are indeed the hscv or whatever damper, I believe. I don't know the date, but the black crowns and lowers put them post 2000 and the lack of a bleed screw makes them pre-02, which I think makes them the best year (damper wise). It has that classic marzocchi "sex' noise as you squidge up and down on it.

[Jim Mac]

Not a bad project for 300 bones! I have some spare parts here & there if you want them - 50 mm truvativ stem, diablus bars, most of an E-13 chain guide (missing roller).

[Sandwich]

Not a bad project for 300 bones! I have some spare parts here & there if you want them - 50 mm truvativ stem, diablus bars, most of an E-13 chain guide (missing roller).

is the stem 31.8? That's what I need. I figure the current setup can go towards building a jumper bike, or towards somebody else's $200 project. What's the guide? I'll do an update sometime this weekend showing what I've already done, but I'm not opposed to ditching the box guide entirely in favor of something that works.

[Jim Mac]

is the stem 31.8? That's what I need. I figure the current setup can go towards building a jumper bike, or towards somebody else's $200 project. What's the guide? I'll do an update sometime this weekend showing what I've already done, but I'm not opposed to ditching the box guide entirely in favor of something that works.

Lemme check this weekend as well...may have moved barz/stem onto wife's klunker/Cranx park bike.

[CBJ]

I can see its a fun project but still with the money used and regular maintenance items maybe renting would still be better depending on how much you ride. My experience with old bikes is they are like old cars or houses. There is always something breaking down you have to fix and they will never works as well as something new.

[demonprec]

i loved my Monster T back in the day hell i,d ride one today if i found a good one that wasn,t all beat to crap

[jackalope]

Love it! Definitely concur with 92SE-R about the offset bushings, as they're cheap and easy to install. Since it has a 1.5 HT, and angleset also makes sense, but I don't know if there are any relatively inexpensive ones out there. If you're looking to replace the fork (and save a lot of weight if nothing else), maybe try a 32 mm Boxxer (especially if you can find one with an aftermarket cart in it - I have one with a PUSH cart, and it goes up and down quite nicely) or a 2010 888 EVO. The 2010 888s shouldn't be too pricey, and they work great assuming you get the spring weight sorted out. I also wonder if you swap out the coil shock for a RP3 or DHX air? If it's not too progressive at the end of the stoke, it should work OK.

Maybe some lighter pedals too. And if all else fails, go with the tried and true Speed Holez

[bizutch]

I see 24" Gazaloddi's in this bikes future. Be sure to further anchor to ground with Azonic steel cranks, 2002 Magura Gustav's with floating rotors, front THE thru crown fender, GoreTex cables, Azonic Love Seat, Kore seatpost, anodized Kooka 40 tooth chainring and DaBomb handlebars.

[Nick]

I'll bet you can face the BB shell down to 73mm so you can use current cranks.
There HAS to be a stanchion for your Monster floating around out there, or repair with clear epoxy and wet sand it to be round again. Angleset and offset shock reducers can help dial the HA and BB height. How much travel does the frame/shock give you in stock form?

[SkullCrack]

Since it has a 1.5 HT, and angleset also makes sense, but I don't know if there are any relatively inexpensive ones out there.

I've got one brand new in the box I'm selling for $80. I'd drop that price a bit since I think this is a cool project.

[dump]

angleset also makes sense, but I don't know if there are any relatively inexpensive ones out there.

Fwiw, Works Components makes an excellent set and forget angle headset. I have two of them ... great stuff.