The Trek Antelope might be the most popular Readers’ Rides submission over here at The Radavist, and today, Tilman from Tesuque Bikes shares his “The Soul of the Thing” build. Let’s check it out…
I call this bike ‘The Soul of the Thing’, embodying the true meaning of a ’90s steel frame mtb cruiser. On a low budget, I included some blingy parts like new doom bars made right here in Albuquerque and a Stridsland narrow wide chainring, while mainly sourcing from my parts bin and the used market. I pieced together a wide range 10-speed cassette out of two partials: I found half of one at the UNM bike shop and stole half off a lower range cassette I had at home in the parts bin that matched the correct tooth count.
I usually prefer cantilever brakes for the classy look, but the friend I assembled this for requested v-brakes, and I happened to have this set of old XT brakes sitting on a shelf; they happen to be the one set I don’t mind and wish were still made. Finishing touches included purple anodized cable ends and valve caps.
The frame itself I pulled from a hoarder’s collection, climbing over washing machines, scrap metal, and countless bike frames, carefully untangling it from a mess of Walmart bikes, and then carefully climbing back across the mountain of junk, frame set in hand. I can’t find the exact color scheme in the catalogs, but I think it’s a 93-94 based on other online posts. Thanks to Alex Weier for helping me dial it in, UNM OAC, Keaton from Doom Bars, Esperanza Bicycle Center, and Chauncey Matthews for the wheelset.
Community support in building bikes is invaluable, and the number of people who directly or indirectly contributed to this build is what building bikes is all about in my eyes.
Both the process and the finished product of this build are exactly what I hope to carry forward with my shop, from mid-range ’90s treks to building up full titanium frames, adding an aggressive style and piece of soul into every build and finished product.
Build Spec:
- 1993 Trek Antelope 820
- Doom Bars
- SR Custom Quill Stem
- Shimano Deore 10/11 Speed RD-M5120
- Shimano Deore SL-M6000
- Stridsland 110bcd 36t purple narrow wide
- Raceface Turbine Forged 3x Crank
- Deore XT V-Brakes
- Tektro Eclipse Brake Levers
- Shimano Deore XT Hubs HB-M752
- Mavic X517 rims
- CST Jack Rabbit Tires
We’d like to thank all of you who submitted Readers Rides builds to be shared here at The Radavist. The response has been incredible and we have so many to share over the next few months. Feel free to submit your bike, listing details, components, and other information. You can also include a portrait of yourself with your bike and your Instagram account! Please, shoot landscape-orientation photos, not portrait. Thanks!
