'08 Stp Raw

[Pebble]

Frame - Regular size '08 STP 0
Front shock/fork - Pike 454 Air U-Turn
Handlebars - Race Face Deus XC 640mm
Stem - Syncros FR 50mm
Headset - Cane Creek Aheadset (as stock)
Grips - Oury
Saddle - WTB Speed V Comp
Seatpost - Syncros Derived
Front brake - XT M765 (or 475 - whatever the nuber for the '07 models is and not the new '08 servo wave)
Rear brake - XT M765
Cranks - Race Face Diabolus
Chainguide - none
Chain - stock
Pedals - DMR V12 Mag
Front derailleur - none
Rear derailleur - Sram X7
Front shifter - none
Rear shifter - Sram X7 trigger
Cassette - PG950
Front hub - stock forumula
Rear hub - stock shimano
Front rim - Rhynolite XL
Rear rim - Rhynolite XL
Spokes - ? stock
Nipples - ? stock
Tyres - Holy Roller Rear & Syncros PNC3 Front 2.5
Tubes - standard
Total weight - about 13kg

Before...

http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/Builders_Bikes_021_4.jpg

After....
http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/medium/IMG_1232.JPG
http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/medium/IMG_12312.JPG

I decided that I prefer plain colours after all. The blue stood out a bit much & was kind of bright. The silver looks great, and I don't plan on polishing it.

I've got a race face bashie on the way & also a 32T dh ring. After that she'll be good to go, no plans for a chain device unless absolutely necessary.

[EastsideZero]

............

[EastsideZero]

The frame looks great all nuded up.
The blue paint made it look a bit toyish.
The finished product really makes it look like a machine on a mission.
Really nice work.








P.S. What method did you use to remove the paint? And did you clearcoat it ?

[Pebble]

Well I took everything off apart from the headset & bb. Then it was a combination of sanding & paint stripper, and to finish it off a rub down with a green scotch brite scourer pad. There are a couple of small stubborn bits to get off - mainly around the welds near the bb, and top of the head tube, so it's not a perfect job. It was a kind of spur of the moment decision, but I knew I was going to do it eventually (almost did it with my old trance which was already silver anyway).

It's not clear coated at all & this means it will probably have a "dirty" grey look most of the time, but that's ok with me.
I know in a way it's kind of a shame to void the warranty, but hey STP frames are plentiful should there be a breakage (and with my riding I doubt it).

[83AST]

STPs look good naked;)

[Sov]

Looks great stripped, burly and industrial!

Re. the chain guide, you could try running an N-gear jump stop if you find that your chain drops off inboard (the bashguard will stop it going the other way.) Cheap, light and works well on my hardtail.
http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/product.php?productid=3534&cat=71&page=3

[Pebble]

For the Alias I'm running an Envy Ring thing (inner bash plate) for that purpose (purchased from Phantom). I tried it on the STP but there doesn't seem to be enough clearance with the chain stay (even though it's 32T size - or to cover 34T at most).

Will certainly keep the jump stop in mind.

Now I'll have to find some rough trails and give the bike a real test. So far it doesn't seem to have a problem dropping the chain, but I have a feeling that this could potentially change once I put the 32t on. The Alias still has a ramped / pinned shimano chain ring which is a part of the reason it would have been dropping it over jumps and rocky tracks, and it also goes to 34T on the cassette whereas the STP comes up to 32T.

Be great if Giant could offer the raw option with some of their bikes, weather it's polished or brushed, similar to what Santa Cruz does. I was very tempted to do it with my old Trance, but since it was already silver it would have been kind of hard to justify - and not to mention having to pull all the suspension apart.