Ultrarunning Edge Blog
| 2008 Gary Fisher Cronus/Wahoo Build—not your father's hardtail!!! |
 |
 |
| Written by Bruce R. Copeland |
| Sunday, 23 March 2014 04:42 |
   In October I managed to pick up a very slightly used Gary Fisher Cronus/Wahoo frame for a little more than a song. The original Gary Fisher Wahoo was a relatively low-end (for Gary Fisher) production mountain bike equipped with entry-level components. The Cronus was a Wahoo set up as a street bike. However, the frame for both bikes was the same gold series Genesis G2 frame used on higher-end Gary Fisher models. (The Cronus frame here weighs 3.3 pounds.) I find the G2 geometry with its longer top tube length particularly ideal for me.Using a mix of new and slightly used components (and help from running partner and fellow cyclist Craig Stahl), I built the bike as follows: Specifications:
I am mostly satisfied with the Vuelta wheelset. The wheels are smooth, light, and plenty strong for my weight. As a former wheelsmith, I was however unhappy with the fact that these new wheels arrived with locked spokes and with the front wheel off-center and slightly out of true. For mountain bike wheels, spoke locking compound is a bad idea even when the wheels are perfectly built—sooner or later your rim is going to hit something. In this case, I needed to be able to fix the front wheel alignment. I soaked the spoke nipples (both wheels) with PB Blaster for 5 days, and then used a spoke wrench to carefully break loose all the locked nipples before re-truing the front rim. I set up the rims for tubeless tires using Gorrilla tape (ghetto tubeless), Stan's presta valve stems with removable cores, and Stan's sealant. The Marzocchi Marathon SL shock is a light, air-cartridge shock that performs well for me, even when I'm riding aggressive All Mountain. It is currently set up with 25 psi in TST and POS chambers, 75 psi in the NEG chamber, and 20 psi in PAR. I have the damping adjustment positioned 1.5 turns from maximum damping. The BB7 mechanical brakes with 185 mm discs squeal a bit when wet, but have vastly more stopping power than I could ever dream of needing. Indeed 160 mm discs might be a more suitable choice for this bike. Probably the only other upgrade I might consider would be a Race Face narrow/wide 34T or 36T front chainring. In combination with the Shadow Plus clutched derailleur, there would no longer be any need for a chain guide. This bike is a blast to ride (although I'm still trying to work up enough strength to climb really steep uphills given that the lowest gear of the 1x9 is 24 gear inches). Lately I have been cycling two or three times per week in addition to running three times a week. Quite a few of these workouts have been trail runs followed by time on the bike (e.g. 10 mile run followed by an hour on the bike or a 32 mile run followed by 2.5 hours on the bike.) Not only does the cycling allow me to extend the length of the whole workout, I'm also finding that the spinning tends to reduce soreness and stiffness in my legs. Only time will tell if this actually improves my running. |
Comments (4) 
Nice write up and nice bike. I have the same model and have recently broken the gear hanger. I have been having a njightmare tracing the part. I wondered if you knew or could have a look if there is a number or ref. on the hanger so i can track down a new one myself.
Much obliged
Julian
e:mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
I don't see a number on the outside, but there might be one on the hanger face that mates to the frame. I am however quite certain this is the same hanger that Wheels Manufacturing calls a Derailleur Hanger #6. HTH
great news hanger no. 6 arrived and fitted. stripped and rebuilt this morning epping forest, london tomorrow
thanks