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if John Tomac, Ned Overend, Charlie Cunningham, and Wes Willits all raced/worked for Yeti as Sammy Hagar fans, I think they’d have been on this bike in 1992. I have touched on 1992 being THE year a few times in my musings, but I don’t think I’d put together a bike that really encapsulates it. as it turns out, I put this one together much by accident — and maybe its pretty close.

the past few months I’d been collecting parts for my upcoming MADE show bike. the premise for that show bike is an absolutely no nonsense pinner XC race bike, heavily inspired by Ned’s 1991/92 S-works. the original S-WORKS. say what you want about the big S in 2024, but dang, for me, the red and yellow of the OG made me S-works for life. still chasing it 32 years later, just with bigger wheels, better tires, and geo.

I had Frank the Welder build me up a 29er rigid aluminum frame mimicking the geometry of a modern day race hardtail while accounting for sag, since this bike would of course feature a sprightly steel rigid fork. what I got back was a bit of a mistake — when I went to slide the 29×2.25 MARS race tire in there, it would not fit. Frank had gotten some numbers confused, and made the frame with a 68mm shell and clearance for a 29×2.0. I’d already had the bike powdered — dang — but a quick call to frank, and he had another one with the correct numbers for me a few days later. gotta love that!

so what to do with this “free” frame? well, turned out the axle to crown was the same as what I’d used on the Alumax forks, and I happened to have a few extra standard versions with flaky chrome spots that I could not sell … on it went!

so center pulls in the front, and cantilevers in the rear … already a weird bike. I wanted drop bars on this one, since the larger clearanced show bike would be flat bar — the positive rise Salsa stem from the parts bin would be just the ticket. I pried open the 25.4 face plate and wiggled in a good ol’ 26.0 Soma Portola dirt drop bar with Campy ergo 10 controls that I would run to an 8 speed cassette in the rear. some old Rustines grips help with the grip in the drops.

for reasons I do not know, this specific combo on this bike shifts like magic — like it never misses. these shifters have a really strong indexing spring that makes them a joy to interact with while riding. so damn tactile. also nice to fondle that aluminum shift paddle while taking in the sensations whilst pedaling.

also went with the prototype Rosé 700×45 that measures more like 47. I’d say this bike matches the tires perfectly, and the race grey compound gets me one step closer to the umma gumma grey Ned would have been on.

I dropped the yolk all the way down on the low profile Paul cantis for maximum mechanical advantage. you will also notice the tectonic pedals. simply the best. Sugino PX cranks with 24-44 rings finish things off. XTR m952 rear der — campy mirage front.

the top tube is extra long here, but the seat tube is 74.5 degrees and with the zero offset Carver ti post, it really feels pretty normal. the long front end, and aggressive climbing geo really keep things planted on steep inclines. the slack head angle keeps things fun going back down. a classic with performance under the hood.

really happy to have this modern grav bike that could have once been the best XC race bike of an era in the quiver. I think it looks great, and it’s very different than anything else in the barn. also looking forward to putting together the actual MADE show bike. more on that soon!

XO RR