Marin Bear Valley SE Project

[Panzer391]

I actually bought it off a rich woman round South Manchester way, it was tucked away all dirty in a stable with a flat tyre and she told me she'd hardly used it, when I got it home fixed the puncture washed and oiled it... Oh man what have I got here

Ive done some miles on it and since had to replace the chain set bought cheap i'm afraid (£60) and the other week I converted to V Brakes because the brakes were crap but then maybe just needed new brake blocks. Ive let lots of mates have a go on it and they're all impressed, not bragging but its great and I would sell my newer Palisades trail before this thing, I still got the original parts and is a racing machine with the proper bars on.

Had it over ten years now

Black tape over all the Marin stickers... about 13 stickers if I remember correct, all part of the disguise

Thanks Macsandreas.

 

[jonah]

Proper stealth machine

£60 doesn't sound cheap to me for a chainset! What did you fit?

I've got V brakes on mine. Got another bike with cantilever and I find the V's so much sharper.

 

[Panzer391]

Proper stealth machine

£60 doesn't sound cheap to me for a chainset! What did you fit?

I've got V brakes on mine. Got another bike with cantilever and I find the V's so much sharper.

That was rear mech, chain set and chain, they're not famous name I dont think but not too heavy, i'm thinking I included buying the special tool from Halfords to remove the mech in with the total cost ? I bought the parts from Green Machine the bike shop in Horwich which a few of the lads on here will be familier with.

My front V brake was instantly impressive but I was concerned about the back one as it wasnt too clever but it must have been the the brake blocks were shiny or something needing bedding in because after a few rides they got better and after readjusted them bingo I have ace brakes and smooth brakes too in keeping with the disguised pub bike theme I bought cheap V brakes but I seriously dont want this bike looking attractive to thieves who know a proper bike when they see one.

Did you have to mess about with your V brakes before they were up to scratch ? oh I had to buy new V brake levers too.

 

[Neil]

Basically its a bit lighter! Think the seat stays are slightly different as well, I'll have to consult the Marin catalogue to be sure though.

I thought the only difference between the BV and BV SE was finishing kit?

I wouldn't have thought there's anything different about the frames between the same model name, especially at that middle point in the range.

 

[baj]

iirc the Bear Valley shares the Muirwoods frame but the SE shares the Eldridge frame .. nice bikes

 

[Neil]

iirc the Bear Valley shares the Muirwoods frame but the SE shares the Eldridge frame .. nice bikes

Looking at the 92 and 95 brochures, looks like the same frame for the BV and BV SE <shrug>

 

[jonah]

Proper stealth machine

£60 doesn't sound cheap to me for a chainset! What did you fit?

I've got V brakes on mine. Got another bike with cantilever and I find the V's so much sharper.

That was rear mech, chain set and chain, they're not famous name I dont think but not too heavy, i'm thinking I included buying the special tool from Halfords to remove the mech in with the total cost ? I bought the parts from Green Machine the bike shop in Horwich which a few of the lads on here will be familier with.

Ah right, I had in my head £60 for chain rings £60 sounds very reasonable for all that!

My front V brake was instantly impressive but I was concerned about the back one as it wasnt too clever but it must have been the the brake blocks were shiny or something needing bedding in because after a few rides they got better and after readjusted them bingo I have ace brakes and smooth brakes too in keeping with the disguised pub bike theme I bought cheap V brakes but I seriously dont want this bike looking attractive to thieves who know a proper bike when they see one.

Did you have to mess about with your V brakes before they were up to scratch ? oh I had to buy new V brake levers too.

I did replace some brake blocks that weren't that great in terms of stopping power, next lot were fine and I've stuck to them since.

 

[jonah]

Bit of an update. Still have this bike. I broke it down before last winter but built it up again in the spring with some different bits

Recently added some more LX kit (chainset and pedals), new chain and cassette, shifters and a new Mavic rear wheel to match the front, I think it looks quite stealth

 

[coomber]

LX suits it to a t.

Nice build.