You are looking at a 1993 Specialized S-Works steel, and it's another example of how sometimes what seems like an impossible deal maybe has some caveats on it...
I'm not a Specialized guy at all really. I'm not sure that I'd ever buy one to ride myself, if for no other reason that I have more Rockys than I can ride. But, this was a deal that couldn't be passed up based on the parts I saw in the ad. Like; XTR shifter pods and rear derailleur, Topline cranks, Sachs bottle cages, Scott LF-2 handlebar, funky frame bracket for CO2 cartridges, and Avid Tri-Align cantilevers.
This frame is really pretty special if the catalog is to be believed. Designed by Mark DiNucci, the frame is ostensibly Tange Prestige Superlight, but there's no tubing decal on it. I'd guess this is because DiNucci asked for so much customization in the tubes, that it wasn't a stock Prestige Superlight set anymore? The colour is burgundy fading to purple, which I never would have known if I hadn't read it in the catalog. I didn't even see it outside on an overcast day when I picked it up. I think you'd have to be in full sun to see it.
Overall the frame just has a 'don't attract attention' vibe, and I just can't say that I like it. It sparks no joy for me.
This frame is really pretty special if the catalog is to be believed. Designed by Mark DiNucci, the frame is ostensibly Tange Prestige Superlight, but there's no tubing decal on it. I'd guess this is because DiNucci asked for so much customization in the tubes, that it wasn't a stock Prestige Superlight set anymore? The colour is burgundy fading to purple, which I never would have known if I hadn't read it in the catalog. I didn't even see it outside on an overcast day when I picked it up. I think you'd have to be in full sun to see it.
Overall the frame just has a 'don't attract attention' vibe, and I just can't say that I like it. It sparks no joy for me.
What did I find once I tore it down? Thankfully the XTR shifter pods still click. The fork goes up and down, which is as much diagnostic as I care to do on any suspension these days. The fancy 3D violet Topline cranks are not cracked that I can see, but they are heavily used. The cartridge bearing Specialized BB is super smooth.
And that's kinda it for the good. This thing is really rough.
The bad? Nicks and scrapes like I've rarely seen on a frame. One dent on the chainstay, but otherwise terrible. The highly sought after Avid Tri-Align brakes are all broken. Maybe they have some value for parts, but I bet the broken plates are the parts people want. The wheels, while straight, are an XTR hub (I think) on a Mavic 238 rim on the front, and a crappy bolt-on freewheel hub on a no-name rim on the back - the kind of thing I'd expect to see on a $40 Walmart bike. The XTR hub is toast - you can feel the cones are pitted badly.
The XTR derailleur has one of the pins pushed out of the body of the derailleur. I've never seen this before, hopefully I can push it back in.
And that's kinda it for the good. This thing is really rough.
The bad? Nicks and scrapes like I've rarely seen on a frame. One dent on the chainstay, but otherwise terrible. The highly sought after Avid Tri-Align brakes are all broken. Maybe they have some value for parts, but I bet the broken plates are the parts people want. The wheels, while straight, are an XTR hub (I think) on a Mavic 238 rim on the front, and a crappy bolt-on freewheel hub on a no-name rim on the back - the kind of thing I'd expect to see on a $40 Walmart bike. The XTR hub is toast - you can feel the cones are pitted badly.
The XTR derailleur has one of the pins pushed out of the body of the derailleur. I've never seen this before, hopefully I can push it back in.
Now we come to the dilemma; do I just clean it up and sell the frame/fork on eBay, or do I strip, repaint, and rebuild it?
It's rare, so I think it would do relatively well on eBay, even in its crappy condition. And even though I don't care much about it, it is a special frame. There's one on eBay right now in similar shape, listed for nearly CDN$500 - which is insane. I'd be pretty darn happy with $200.
On the other hand, I could build it up to a more-or-less XT level and redo the paint and decals. I've been wanting to find a project to repaint for a while. However, I can't find that S-Works decal on the headtube and seattube. So, given that it is rare and special, I would like to maintain that even though I don't really like it. Plus, I just don't see the average buyer here would see it as much more than a Stumpjumper. Technically, it's not a Stumpjumper - it's better.
I bought it to flip, so may as well maximize my return right? I think parting it out is the best way to do that. Drop me a note if you're interested.
It's rare, so I think it would do relatively well on eBay, even in its crappy condition. And even though I don't care much about it, it is a special frame. There's one on eBay right now in similar shape, listed for nearly CDN$500 - which is insane. I'd be pretty darn happy with $200.
On the other hand, I could build it up to a more-or-less XT level and redo the paint and decals. I've been wanting to find a project to repaint for a while. However, I can't find that S-Works decal on the headtube and seattube. So, given that it is rare and special, I would like to maintain that even though I don't really like it. Plus, I just don't see the average buyer here would see it as much more than a Stumpjumper. Technically, it's not a Stumpjumper - it's better.
I bought it to flip, so may as well maximize my return right? I think parting it out is the best way to do that. Drop me a note if you're interested.
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