Here is John B’s modified URT Maverick that still puts smiles on faces, even after 20 years.
Your Name
John Beardmore
Bike brand and model
Maverick ML 7.5
Why this bike?
I test rode a prototype in the car park at I think Sleepless in the Saddle and then read the review in Singletrack magazine. I liked the light weight, climbing ability, the clean open triangle and the way the loads from the shock go into a strong part of the frame.
I did consider a Turner 5 Spot and also the carbon Ibis Mojo but settled on the Maverick. Bought from Sideways Cycles.
Fork
Fox 130 RLC, though it has had new stanchions.
Shock
Maverick.
Suspension Set-up
I am 70 kg and run about 70 psi in the front forks. In the rear I have 100 psi in the shock damper and 135 psi for the spring. I prefer soft and well damped. I will up the pressures slightly if I am doing faster with big hits.
Wheels
Hope Pro 2 Evo with Stans rims. Built by Roger Musson
Tyres
Front: Racing Ray. Rear: Racing Ralph, both tubeless with Stans fluid.
Brakes
Magura Marta SL. Though I am considering the Shagura conversion (fitting Shimano levers)
Drivetrain
Cranks: 175 mm XTR. Ring Absolute Black 34t oval, XTR chain, Cassette SRAM X01 XG-1195 11 Speed, XTR rear mech
Cockpit components
Monkey Lite XC carbon bars 640 mm wide with Ritchey WCS Foam Truegrip Handlebar Grip
Seatpost
Thompson Elite lay front!
Saddle
Specialized Phenom 143 mm
Accessories
Small saddle bag with multi tool, Dyna plug racer, a few spare plugs, valve insert and CO2 canister.
Size and Weight
Large. 22.5 lbs / 10.16 kg
Additional Comments
Owned for nearly 20 years and it still puts a smile on my face when I ride it. I cant see me replacing it unless it breaks as it will cost too much to get something comparable.
It was originally 3 x 9 and I thought it was great but going 1 x 11 was the best thing I have done, especially the clutch rear mech, plus it saved loads of weight.
I still think its fast on the tight twisty wooded singletrack. Modern bikes will be quicker downhill but overall for classic MTB riding I do I think its fine.
I rebuild the rear shock myself as it mainly uses off the shelf common size O rings.
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looks like a hoot to ride! but – how on earth do you keep the front end down on even moderately steep seated climbs? That saddle is so far back!
Looks interesting but also the perfect advert for longer, modern geo vs having the bars and seat over the front/rear hubs respectively!
I had the Klein take on the maverick. It was fun at the time, but I don’t miss it. Good to see the OP is still enjoying it.
As soon as I saw the heading I needed to see this. ML7.5 (and the Klein take) are lodged in my mind as having absolutely hilarious-looking geometry. Didn’t it transpire there was actually a mistake in the Klein’s geometry, and the seat angle wasn’t supposed to be *that* ridiculous?
Did the ML7.5 originally come with the Maverick upside down forks?
I remember doing the same trick with a Thomson layback post on my Durance for a little while…
No SC 32 or DUC fork?
I still have mine. It’s all still in perfect nick. DUC32s and all. I still think it was the best bike I ever owned. Ridden non-stop by me from 2005-2015, then on to my eldest and then on to my youngest. They both grew taller than me eventually so it doesn’t really fit anyone. Still reluctant to get rid though.