I think from the expression in the photo it was the original owner that made it cross, possibly livid.

How much? Is that how much I paid for it or how much do I want to sell it for? If the former I'll just say if I threw away the frame, forks and wheels I'd still have had a good buy but if the latter, I don't want to sell but thanks anyway.

Thanks for the kind comment, it's 9 speed.

The photo actually makes it look even tidier than it is, it's clearly had a proper life and been well used, all patina as far as I'm concerned!

Another couple of photos:
Check out the Gilco shaped tubing!

Not exactly sure how old it is but Marcel was a pro 2000-03 so must around then.

Dude, the tat was phat!

Available at CRC http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23904

Top post Billy, many thanks for all your efforts and documenting a fascinating time – the guys in your film certainly bought the enjoyment and excitement of offroad riding to a wide audience and without them where would we all be now? Possibly not discussing it all on the internet!

If you like Klunkerz check out http://www.owmtbc.org – Kelly, Breeze, Fisher and Cunningham are 'feeling' it and we'll be in NorCal in 2011……

That De Rosa Neo Primato is beautiful but with regularly spoked wheels it would be even more so. And £300? Very, very well done!

Did the Trans Cambrian three years ago in September and despite three days of headwind and rain (ok, the sun came out when waiting for the train at Dyfi Junction!) had a really, really good time and saw no one apart from a farmer when we pushed up at the edge of a ploughed field.

Route finding using the IMBA maps (a tenner if I remember correctly) was fine and there are plenty of options to cut it shorter if weather/mechanicals/general malaise hits.

We stayed in random accommodation recommended on the IMBA info sheet which was great and carried our stuff in largish Camelbaks (containing minimal overnight change of clothes, bad weather jacket, knee and arm warmers).

We are/were far from awesome atheletes but reasonably fit and I reckon 3 days is a good time to take – we rode from 10ish to 4ish each day with a variety of breaks, had a change and wash of cycling clothes at the B+B and then a pub meal and a couple of beers.

The terrain is not at all radical, more old skool out in the middle of nowhere riding (although you're never that far from somewhere in reality). Stunning though, especially the Elan Valley.

Started off with a Marin Palisades in 1989, followed by a Roberts White Spider in 1990 (to small) then a 91 Stumpjumper Team then a Klein Pinnacle.

A hiatus followed until 2002 (although I did buy the Stumpjumper back, resprayed. God, I loved that bike). Then, chaos as I owned in no particular order (got a bit complicated keeping track):

Orange P7 with fresh dropouts to make an ss
On One Inbred ss
1990 Marin Team
1991 Stumpjumper Comp
IF SS Deluxe
Merlin XLM
L Yo Eddy
1993 Orange Vit T
Bontrager Racelite
XL Yo Eddy
Roberts White Spider/DOGS BOLX (also too small)
Surly 1×1
Early 90s Specialized M2
1994 Explosif

That looks bad when listed and I may have embarrassingly forgotten some.

An IF SS Deluxe is pretty nice

Lovely forks on the Ritchey and the Isla and glad to see some more barend shifters on the latter

Retro bike from today

That’s the former race bike of Adrian Timmis, absolutely stunning in the flesh

I don’t quite get what people were expecting the Roadrat to be. If I remember, it was kind of a road bike for people who don’t like road bikes, or pretty much a bastardised steel mountain bike with road wheels and various options like discs / vees / singlespeed / geared etc.

What exactly were people expecting other than a workman-like, versatile sort of frame? And what is it with the sneering ‘hybrid’ stuff? They’re all just bikes, it does what it’s meant to do reasonably competently. It’s not the answer to everything and it’s not what it’s not meant to be?

How is it the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ exactly?

For me it’s ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ as it got such glowing reviews everywhere, including in a slew of magazines, that you could hardly say that you didn’t like it.

I think it’s really helpful here that there are a range of responses – some clearly love it while others have been disappointed. This may be due to misplaced expectations/understanding of what the Roadrat is but saying that it isn’t for you isn’t really bile.

Also, as above, there are a lot more alternatives now that are worth at least considering before going for a Roadrat.

Oh, and although I didn’t like mine, if the original poster is to get one then I’d say definitely buy as a frame and forks and build as you want.

“Emporer’s New Clothes”? Could not agree more.

I had one as it had such great reviews, rode it for 150m and wasn’t impressed and then ended up selling it in response to a Wanted ad. The components on the full build weren’t great either, the brakes particularly poor.

Much better options out there if you want new and agree (again) that the Crosscheck is as versatile (bar the disc option), possibly more so, but without the compromises. And if it’s ss youw ant then a Pompino is better.

The Vassago looks a bit strange to me with the chain sloping down towards the b/b.

The IF and Enigma are total class.

Check out decal positioning on frame of same make and size (e.g. where in proximity to cable guides, bottle bosses etc.) and be in absolutely no rush whatsoever.

Having a pure mind and a steady hand helps too…..

In green – Kameleon fade? Grellow? As above, would be good to see a photo and post it on Retrobike