Product Description
This 1992 USA-built Sandvik Mongoose Pro RX10.9 is one of my personal bikes I've decided needs to go to fund a randonneur bike (open to trades!). It is a concept bike of sort, there's method to my frankenbike madness. It's loosely named LightDarkPURPLE (LDP). The opposing symmetry of the black post to black fork and silver stem to silver cassette represents the clash between light and dark in the world and the beautiful ways they often blend together. The purple infusions represent the whimsical, quirky, and radical things in life that make balancing the light and the dark worth living. The bird shaped bottle cage represents the urge give up and fly away from it all. The frame is brilliantly free of logos or decals, as assessing the spectrums of life is best done with a clear mind free of distractions like corporate advertisements. There is purposefully a blend of components from at least five countries, representing equality and diversity.
It's not all pomp and circumstance though. It's rocket quick with precise handling. I built it with a focus on boutique-y lightweight parts that also perform as well or better than Record/Dura Ace mainstream components. The TRP 979EQ brakes are among the best performing stoppers I've experienced. Campy Record/Chorus 9sp drivetrain provides ultra reliable precise shifting. The rare TA Zephyr crank may be the most understated component present, but it's performance and low Q-factor make it up. Handbuilt wheels from Walrus Wheel Works bring in some retro style, H+Son TB14 classically styled box section rims roll on Hugi 240 hubs with holographic purple centers. Rare Nitto UL2 stem features a removable faceplate for easy bar swaps. Seatpost is a 143g carbon post from Time, and it's matte finish compliment the brakes and fork well. All together this bike weighs 18.25 pounds. If that's not light enough, swap out some of the not so light parts like the stem or seatpost clamp and wheelset with some truly ultralight parts, you could get this down to the 17 pound range easily.
The frame was handbuilt in Washington by Sandvik, for Mongoose. Sandvik/TST gained fame by building the GT Lightning. It has a collection of 4-5 star reviews on the web as being of similar quality to the Litespeed frames of the era. The welds are uniform and high quality, and the cutouts on the dropouts add some aesthetic value. The frame is polished, identifying it as the top tier RX10.9. The cheaper 10.7 had a brushed finish.
Condition
Near mint to mint condition, show worthy! The frame/fork are free of damage of any sort. The titanium has microscratching, and a couple light scuffs when you look hard, but all are surface level and could be buffed out if desired. Many parts were brand new when I installed them 200 miles ago and still look new, including brakes, wheels, bar tape, seatpost, seatpost clamp, handlebars, tires. The drivetrain and headset have slightly more miles, but are mint with very little wear.
Frame
- frame number: BR56382
- Material: 3/2 titanium
- Seat tube: 56.5cm (c-c)
- Top tube: 56cm
- head tube: 138mm
- Seatstays: 411mm
Components
- Wheelset: H+Son TB14 polished rims on Hugi/DT 240 hubs - 700c x 28H
- Headset: Chris King 2-Nut
- Shifters: Campagnolo Chorus 9s Ergo Brifters
- Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Record ti carbon 9s
- Front derailleur: campagnolo Centaur CT
- Crankset: TA Zephyr - 170mm x 50/34t compact, 3DV purple chainring bolts
- Cassette: Campagnolo Chorus 9 sp - 12-23t
- Brakeset: TRP R979 EQ Magnesium in stealth black
- Seatpost: Time carbon 2-bolt, 143g
- Saddle: *NOT INCLUDED* (Check out our saddle category HERE)
- Seatpost binder: Ultimate Machine, ti bolt
- Stem: Nitto UL-2
- Handlebars: Soma HWY One - 44cm
- Bottle cage: PDW Sparrow cage
