MYiB – My year in Bikes

1 – Specialized Stumpjumper M4 2004 – My first build since around 2007, I decided to build new bikes and getting on the saddle once again. Bought this frame used this year, despite never really wishing a Specialized in my life. It's a 1×11 Ultegra/GRX drivetrain and currently a mullet 29" front, 27.5" rear.

2 – Marin Eldridge Grade 1993 – Love me some Marins. Second bike I built after finding a frame I lusted over since 1994, and finally got it. Unfortunately I can't ride it in it's original form (extra-low flat bars) so I'm still trying to find it's final form. It's a 1×11 XT drivetrain with some 20 year old tires.

3 – GT Zaskar 1999 – This is a frame I got in 2004 as a gift from my parents, so here it is still and forever. Went from my main bike to a single speed, and now it's a Tringle, and a really fun bike. Needs to change the fork for a suspension corrected one because it's really scary to go down hills as it is. A 3×1 XT drivetrain, made of parts bin.

4 – Marin Team Marin 1991 – Built it, but didn't liked it, so got it down to a frame again and still deciding what to do with it. Raw metal or new paint with same-ish livery, might do a mash with the '93 one.

5 – Gary Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo 1999 – Found a cheap frame (finally one) for sale, and thought it might be a cool red bike, which I find difficult to get right. Also a mullet, 27.5" front, 26" rear and a 1×11 XTR/XT mix. A growtac Equal front brake that I only found uses short pull levers too late.

6 – Marin Muirwoods 1991 – "Amarela", my most proud build to date. I like the color and how it rides, and is almost final. Still needs the correct handlebar and might deserve some new wheels. 1×12 XT drivetrain with neon yellow Magura brakes, which I might install in more bikes in the future. This things are cool.

Hope to sell a couple of bikes so to invest in new bikes I want in 2026. Currently trying to find a Trek 6000 in neon yellow to make a sister bike to the Muirwoods, and hope to find a polished aluminium GT frame to make a fully polished bike. Also might buy a Cannondale 3.0 frame to make a more classic bike, and I have a Marin Pine Mountain on the way to make my grey bike. If a Marin Monocoque appears, I'll be getting that too. And that's it. For now. Happy New Years everybody.