Retro MTB update: S-Works Prestige with M900 XTR

[@elektronneutrino5003]

I'm watching this vid - again - for this week I found a 92/93 Marin Team Issue with an XTR group set. I still cannot believe my luck. Thank you for the history lesson on xtr

[@red_dread]

Wow, that's quite a find. That era of Marins were really special. And if it has this generation of M900 XTR on it then I can't believe your luck either!

[@ganimed1976]

The XTR M900 group was the most beautiful MTB group ever in my humble opinion. They were the holy grail of Shimano components back in 1992 and they are still today.

[@decentdad1160]

Love that I found this channel. Your history lessons are on point and humor brilliant.

[@red_dread]

Welcome to the shadowy cartel!

[@vintagemtbworkshop6298]

I will be starting the build for the ‘94 & ‘95 S-Works Steel (Development by Mark DiNucci). All my Shimano M900 parts are here so, I will start filming and posting soon! I hope they come out as nice as yours did. I have the original steel fork for the ‘95 but the best I can do for my ‘94 will be the Specialized Carbon Future Shock FS (1st gen with tapered fork legs). Maybe about 30mm of travel but are holding air and not leaking oil. 😅👍

[@red_dread]

Have already subscribed in anticipation! I'm sure yours will be nicer than mine - close up my 94 S-Works is extremely rough with rust spots all over the frame and bad corrosion on the XTR cranks. And the less said about my painting experiment the better.

[@vintagemtbworkshop6298]

Thank you for subscribing I believe you are no. 3 😁👍....I have also discovered and bought a 1994 FSR S-Works Team (full suspension) ....with XTR M900. I will be restoring it to a Jason McCoy version with Gripshift, ControlTech, Avid Ti brakes and hopefully a Rock Shox Carbon FSX fork....this is supposed to arrive my subterranean laboratory this week. My '94 S-works steel is also rough (frame rescue) and someone polished the FC-M900 cranks and put new graphics on. I'll leave paint alone as I would be horrible at it. 🤣

[@samuell7126]

great video! glad that I stumbled across your channel. Love your knowledge and dry humour!

[@red_dread]

Welcome - there's plenty more to come.

[@Firubak]

Wow.. I my dad gave me his old raleigh ti with complete xtr parts in prestine condition last year. He told me it was very expensive back in the day but i didnt knew it is still a highly sought after and expensive group set.

[@red_dread]

I hope you're going to cherish it! That's some incredible kit.

[@BangTheRocksTogether]

Nice. Thank you, I've been trying to identify my XTR shifter for some time (It's on its own clamp, not the brake lever. There is no part number that I can find.) An XTR derailleur is a must on a '90s restoration. Your crank, though, isn't much to look at, despite being XTR. My 95 RM Equipe, a Frankenbike, not a restoration ,has, for its only original part but the frame, a first generation Race Face Turbine crankset, in a grey finish very similar to the bike's remaining XTR parts. They don't grow on trees, but they look great. Rock on...

[@red_dread]

I think you could always get XTR shifter pods separately - certainly there was an option with this first generation M900 to buy just the brake levers, because there was still a generation of pro/elite riders that preferred to use discontinued XT thumbshifters or even (ugh) GripShift! Yes, I agree XTR derailleurs are a real focal point for any high end retro build.

[@hammeredscout]

Great video. That XTR is like jewelry👌🏽

[@TomeRodrigo]

I have that same derailleur on my centurion no pogo 97 model. As you mentioned XTR seatpost...130£ on eBay right now. My no pogo has everything XT except the front derailleur which is XTR. I also have some ONZA components as handlebars and handlebars ends.

[@garysprojects]

Ayyy I’ve also loved those forks, can’t get enough. Also just like you I always save the cables and sometimes even reuse the housing if it’s in okay nick. Am I cheap or am I environmentally friendly 😂😂😂

[@red_dread]

I had a good chat with Adrian Carter, the founder of Pace, who originally made this fork here in the UK. He was the one who sent me the correct shim, all respect to him. As for the cables, I tend to replace regularly but these had never been used! Since I started restoring this bike I’ve never ridden it so I wasn’t about to waste those XTR cable kits.

[@garysprojects]

red_dread makes sense haha, do you know if he is making more forks in the future? All are they long gone 😭😭

[@red_dread]

Pace is a pretty big business now, it sold all its fork designs and tooling to DT Swiss in the early ‘00s. Adrian says the tooling evolved over the years so they’re no longer set up to reproduce the early fork designs. There are still examples on eBay, particularly in the UK, but not cheap. My carbon RC36 is a work of art!

[@hammeredscout]

Nice to find you here Gary...Hey..Your IG is blowing up dude👍Yeah and reusing cables and housings is normal around my garage. Especially if they're XTR. Repurpose and reuse.

[@garysprojects]

hammeredscout haha thanks my dude! Ya Instagram is where I have more of my day to day updates 🤷‍♂️ ppl seem to be enjoying it. Yup I reusing the cables are great!! 😛😛

[@bjarnestrand-henriksen]

Love the history lesson 👍 Keep up the good work!

[@parkermekhi4728]

I guess it's kinda randomly asking but does anyone know of a good site to watch newly released tv shows online?

[@emorysaint7116]

@Parker Mekhi flixportal :)

[@parkermekhi4728]

Thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service =) Appreciate it!!

[@emorysaint7116]

@Parker Mekhi you are welcome =)

[@allcapitols1554]

2:22 - That satin finish is produced by exposing the polished surface of the aluminum to some kind of an acid.

[@red_dread]

I believe so, then it was varnished - both of which techniques I can't replicate in my home workshop. But I do intend to get this stuff professionally refinished at some point.

[@tomwillmington7994]

👏🏻👏🏻 great video!

[@lancehatch4475]

I just picked up a M900 rear mech for my 91 Fat Chance. I have the matching crankset on the bike now at 180mm length.

[@red_dread]

My rear mech is actually M901, which is visibly the same but has one or two tiny differences in the nuts and bolts.

[@InCountry6970]

I still ride my Aplinestars M900 all XTR component bike to this day. I have gotten close to getting a new bike, then I super clean my M900 and adjust everything correctly and then I realize I don't need a new bike.

[@red_dread]

Au contraire, I'd say there's always infinite reasons to get a new bike, not least to preserve your priceless Alpinestars for Sunday best. Also I can confirm that despite loving my collection of 30-yr-old superbikes, I can go a lot further, faster and in more comfort on pretty much anything modern. The new technology is incredible. Have you ever ridden anything with full-sus, dropper post, 1x transmission, 29" wheels etc? The difference will blow you away!

[@InCountry6970]

@@red_dread Well, thanks a lot, now I am probably going to spend a lot of money. LOL My old 20.85LB M900 bike is easy to throw around. I did look at some MTB and they all seem to be near 40LB all dressed out with full suspension Perhaps a high end light gravel bike might be something for me. Any recommendations would be very welcome. Thanks

[@zzrustyzz]

I still use a Gary Fisher Aquila with this xtr system, except for the deraileur, it is a little bit newer deore from the 2000's

[@red_dread]

Sacrilege! What happened to the XTR derailleur? Did you crash it? They are so expensive now.

[@KevinJarrett]

Lovely build. Currently riding a 'lesser' (there, I’ve said it) '94 Diamond Back Axis Pro in gloss black with a mix of LX & XT ... but have nearly all the bits to make it full XT this winter. This bike was full XTR when new and there is just no way I could/would a) find the parts b) afford them and then c) ride the bike as my only MTB. Much respect to you, great that you’re doing the build, enjoy every minute! Love your channel! Are you on Instagram by chance?

[@red_dread]

Thanks mate, I agree that finding and paying for full XTR is hard work, even if you won the Euromillions! That's why I've been doing it bit by bit and only occasionally giving in and paying top dollar such as for the front mech. I will only ride this particular bike very occasionally on sunny days. The Axis Pro is a cool bike and 94 was a good year. Glad you like the channel, yes I'm oliver.chesher on instagram but there's not many of my bike collection on there, it's more outdoors, kids, dogs and the occasional flash car...

[@KevinJarrett]

@@red_dread all good, thanks, followed you there for the occasional bike content, lovely family!

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

I still have a fresh set of the same shifter/lever combo xtr. still hoping to find XT cantis to go with it as I prefer the xt to xtr canti.

[@red_dread]

That's interesting - I don't think I've ever heard of anyone that prefers XT to XTR before! Why is that?

[@AgencyScum]

Mate I got too many kidneys. I'll swap you one for that maroon Rolls saddle you have in the background. It'll go PERFECT with me maroon Longstaff tourer!

[@red_dread]

There's actually two red Rolls behind me in that shot, and there's bad news and good news... The bad news is mine aren't for sale and the limited edition Look one would be worth much more than a kidney if I hadn't shredded it over the years. The good news is the other (suede) one is a modern reissue and was under £100 at a local bike shop so you should be able to get hold of one fairly easily!

[@AgencyScum]

@@red_dread Ooh! I better go have a look on the interweb...cheers mate!

[@Juan-skye]

Interesting see a xtr complete, I only have the same levers, I would like if in one moment shimano do the xtr with a thumb shifter

[@red_dread]

I know! Wouldn't that be cool? I wonder why they never did? The XT thumbshifters were (and still are) absolutely iconic - an XTR version would have been unbelievable.

[@johnbuxton3841]

Regarding the desired satin finish on XTR cranks etc, I would recommend glass bead blasting with optional matt varnish.

[@red_dread]

That's probably what I'll end up doing, but sadly I don't have the equipment to do the bead blasting myself, which rather spoils the fun.

[@johnbuxton3841]

@@red_dread If you prefer DIY, you could possibly try Garriflex sanding blocks (wet)

[@dumpkingbikes405]

Polish and clearcoat Satin gives a very similar result.

[@johnsmith-xw4ez]

1st Generation as XTR, M900 Group set is next generation of 7-speeds Deore XT.

[@red_dread]

It certainly is an evolution, yes - the influences of XT on XTR when it first came out are clear, but there's also a noticeable jump in terms of finish, weight, function and innovation. It really was a historic moment in the history of MTB technology.

[@dimitrilaksyandi3636]

Does m900 xtr freehub fit current 11 speed mtb shimano cassette and rd (deore)?

[@red_dread]

Can't say I've ever tried, sorry - however I would hazard a strong guess that the answer is no, the spacing would necessarily be quite different between old 8-speed and current 11-speed.

[@vintagebikewurx3730]

All rapid fire shifters need to be flushed out with wd40 before install. I own 6 pairs. None of them worked when I got them including one nos set. After flushing them out they all work flawlessly. The grease dries up and gets to thick for the mechanisms to work properly.

[@red_dread]

That was certainly the case with this XTR one - the left hand is still skipping a pawl on the upshift, but it'll gradually loosen with a bit of use and flushing. I find the newer ones (99 onwards) are much more reliable.

[@vintagebikewurx3730]

@@red_dreadXtr brake levers for cantis were only made for one year. The m900 series only. 95 was the last year. The pawl spring is very small. The slightest amount of dried thick grease will make them stick. Remove them and flush them they'll work like new again. Great show. Thanks!!!

[@aldinoz]

Theres an xtr m900 complete groupset still in the box and not even the seal is open. And it cost US$8000 here in indonesia 😱

[@red_dread]

For some strange reason the best supply of early 90s parts like this is Eastern Europe. I can't work out why but I keep finding the best stuff in Hungary and Poland, often still boxed. But I think prices are crazy wherever you look.

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Media blast the cranks then 600 grit sandpaper them and you will get the satin finish

[@red_dread]

That's pretty much what I'm planning to do. But you'd be amazed how hard it is to buy blasting media anywhere in the UK. All the big merchants and DIY shops don't sell it - perhaps for safety reasons? Maybe I'll have to go dark web...

[@RobertWilliams-ox4hz]

XTR always looked like jewelry on your bike.

[@darrenevans278]

Hi don’t suppose you have a promo or coupon code for the terra one tires Cheers👍

[@red_dread]

I wish! But please do message him on Instagram and tell him I deserve one! He must have sold hundreds thanks to my videos.

[@stephenlishman8905]

What tyres you got one where did you get them from

[@red_dread]

Those are called Ride Terra One. Pretty sure he has an online shop now, they’re great tyres.

[@Cycleinc]

Dj Khaled is about to start a bike collection 😂

[@red_dread]

Best case scenario is he responds to my calling him out, and I end up in his next video rolling around in his G-Wagen with XTR cassettes on chains round our necks. Fingers crossed.

[@ile911]

Is XTR from 98 worth ? Have problem with triggers, do you know how can I teardown completely ?

[@red_dread]

The version from 98 is not as sought after as the original M900 that came out in 92, however it still has some value. The trigger shifters commonly suffer from getting gummed up after some years, they're extremely complicated and troublesome to tear down, the best option is to flush them through with WD40 and failing that, degreaser. That tends to get them working good as new.

[@ile911]

@@red_dread I done that, but I noticed the spring on the main wheel is detach and the trigger don't downshift in harder gears

[@bicycleworkshop1779]

Very good video, bikes are cool on deore xt, xtr components. They knew how to do it efficiently. Like and Subscribe

[@vinncecil]

What tires are you running?

[@red_dread]

Those are called Ride Terra One, they’re perfect for retro rebuilds.

[@vinncecil]

Thank you!

[@TheRampax]

Where did you get those coloured allen keys from?

[@red_dread]

I think they're called Swiss Tools, but I can't remember for sure. I probably just did a Google search for "world's most expensive allen keys", you know how I do.

[@newelrice2204]

You’re in luck. I have a XTR CS-M900 cassette that is essentially untouched. Doesn’t look like you have anyway to contact you through business email or private message. Any chance you could enable business mail so I can reach out to you? Great Channel, btw. Will check back in a few days.

[@red_dread]

Hi, I'm on [e-mail] - and thanks for the kind comments. I don't know if I need an XTR cassette but I'm always interested to hear what's out there in other collectors' stashes!

[@newelrice2204]

@@red_dread will reach out to you later today. thanks for the contact info.

[@wesleyslack8741]

If you need any parts let me know? Cheers

[@red_dread]

Thanks very much! Check out the next vid, just about to drop: I do need the ends off original XTR (M900) skewers - very hard to find indeed!

[@Wannaridebikes]

Yes xtr is pretty pricy. I have xtr on my dh bike.

[@haych3]

The tracks by fat joe

[@red_dread]

It's not, it's the Scott Storch instrumental of the Terror Squad track "Lean Back". Fat Joe did the main verse on the vocal version, and released his own later album version plus remixes. Khaled actually cameos in the video, but in my opinion his own videos are the most lavish, hence the joke.

[@selfmadefreeride]

If u won i can renovate your m900 crank like oryginal.

[@red_dread]

That is something I'm intending to do, yes. I have a supplier local to me though, who has all the facilities to shot blast, re-lacquer etc, then some replacement decals ready to go. But thanks for the offer!

[@tristantopambudi3186]

Nothing top XT Racing But those saddle doesn't look like SWork's

[@red_dread]

True, that XTR groupset really was the finest Shimano had ever made. Personally I still find Suntour XC-Pro and the Mavic groupsets of the time more interesting and desirable because they're much rarer - but first generation XTR is hard to beat for finish and function alike. And as for the saddle, you're correct - the original bike would have had the S-Works ProLong on it, but that's long gone and a Flite is an appropriate replacement.

[@tristantopambudi3186]

@@red_dread Havent heard Mavic doing MTB groupie , all I knew they make it for road bikes . Never use suntour groupset too , so I don't know if the crispy and quality comparable to XTR or XT.

[@red_dread]

@@tristantopambudi3186 I never had the privilege of actually riding the Mavic MTB groupset but it looks stunning. Likewise the Campagnolo ones of the day, although their shifters were awful compared to Shimano. I do have some XC-Pro stuff and it's beautifully finished but not as functionally crispy as top end Shimano. So overall Shimano gets the win.