Sounds like my 99 though. 🤣 I can promise you this, I didn't adhere to any of those rules. 25 years ago. Granted I've still got pants from then, but still a long time ago.
Bikes shall be bought as frame only, wheels shall not match, tyres will be 2.1 minimum and 2.4 max. Forks will be as longer travel as available and if needed you will run triple clamps to achieve this. Discs are permitted, if frame does not accommodate this a magura or v brake will be used on...
Subway was sold under different brands too. Including outland, merlin, errr, there was about 10. Almost every mail order bike shop had them in at one point as frame only.
For reference. One of either of these, (neither are for sale, sorry).
frames got to be a ton, fork about the same, reckon you'd get a bit for the shock and it's XT components too. 200 quid seems about right and I'd take it at that too. much like you, one day I will own a Girvin fork.
he didn't do any thinking, his mechanic did. Mike Anderson. not sure it was much thought though, it had been done elsewhere. Still credit where it's due, he saw it and thought "yer, we can shave 0.00000002lbs there". :)
nicely done.
you have made a future (long time in the future) owner have headaches, that's got to be worth something. :) "Yes I know the bullseye cranks won't fit in a mavic BB, but I'm telling you that's what I have......".