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Aug162007
Revived Manta Photos
Thursday, August 16, 2007 Two days ago I mentioned taking my Manta road bike in for a complete overhaul, and today I got the call that the Manta was ready.
I picked up the newly revived bike, and it's great. Smooth as silk on my short test run at home. Iniitlally I wasn't sure how I felt about the bright aqua bar wrap color (thought it would be darker), but it's growing on me. :-)
Tomorrow morning I'm taking the Manta for a long test ride — I can't wait!
As promised, here are photos of the bike with the new bar wrap in place:
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Reader Comments (19)
Travis � I suspect there are tons of great old MTB bikes out there now, as long as you aren't interested in a shock front fork. My old Diamond Back MTB is like that and it's great.
Tim � I didn't know you had a road bike, or is it an MTB? That trip sounds like a blast! We need to get together and ride before the snow flies this year my man.
Davey ��Glad you enjoyed the pics! I really do love this bike and plan to hang onto her for a long time to come. :-)
How do you like that leather saddle? I've often thought about one.
That said, the first thing I thought when I looked at the top pic of your bike was "That looks like a bike that used to belong to a younger man". Look at the distance from the top of the seat to the top of the bars. That's a big drop man! For comparison, look at this page from the new trek catalog: http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/2008/road/madone/madone69pro/
My advice, if you haven't been out on the road for a while, you might want to consider a stem with some rise. Just a thought from one battered chair monkey to another.
As to the seat and handlebar height � the shop goofed on the seat height when they put it back in, so that it was nearly un-rideable. I snapped the shots before I've adjusted the seat down.
But I am also looking into a taller stem for the bars, since I'm considering something to make the bike a little more comfy. I've recently been turned on to Rivendell Bikes and like their approach to making realisticly rideable bikes and escewing all of the fancy race gear for regular people � that's the reason for moving back to toe clips and straps from clipless pedals. :-)
Dale: Great info. A buddy has a Brooks leather and loves it. My saddle is a Brooks but more modern design and I've always wanted to get a Brooks leather. Maybe now is the time!!
No luck on the leather saddles over here. Another thing I was thinking of adding was a carbon seat post or shock absorber type post. I have looked at trying to do things with keeping the costs to a minimum to get the smoothest affordable ride. I have looked into carbon forks for 27 inches- none available in my extensive searches. ( I am not done yet though.)Carbon handle bars my help but could be cost prohibitive. These features would put you in the technology of the Trek 520 touring bikes. I am always looking for good used items to do the upgrades but I also want to be true to the Manta." The road is your friend - Live the road and you will live. "
I purchased an old black Manta roadbike off of Craigslist last year. I have pretty much fixed and or replaced everything, and I have to say, this is a dream bike to ride.
Mike, you're making me want to dust off my Manta and take a cold winter ride! :-)