Re(wind)cycle - Fat City Cycles Yo Eddy Team
Today we are talking to Marcus from Re(wind)cycle. Located in Melbourne’s inner north rewindcycle is focused on rebuilding, refinishing and giving new life to some awesome road and mountain bikes.
It’s quickly evident there are no carbon fibre frames floating around Rewind’s HQ and new ‘old’ stock is the order of the day. I quickly spot an original Yeti FRO steel frame with Answer Acctrax forks and Answer A-Tac stem waiting for the full rewind treatment, there are also some immaculate mid-nineties road bikes on the walls, Concorde, Sancineto, Merckx... you get the picture.
But today we are here to see (and ride) a fully rebuilt 1991 Fat City Cycles, Yo Eddy, Team . This bike is a real throw back to the days when mountain biking was becomming mainstream. You bought one bike that did it all, cross country, trials, downhill, dirt jumps….. the lot. If you wanted to do it well and do it in style the Yo Eddy Team was about as good as it got.
Pre rebuild
Fat City Cycles, led by legendary frame builder Chris Chance, first introduced its top of the line Fat Chance Yo Eddy Team in 1990. The bikes were built in Massachusetts (USA) until 1994. Frames were hand built to exacting standards using quad butted, heat treated true temper 4130 chromoly steel tubes. On its release in 1990 this bike's simply stunning handling, climbing lightness, descent control, acceleration, ability to change direction and move around the trails while being completely at one with the rider sent the cycling media mad for the Yo Eddy Team. Build quality was second to none, having been proven by the very small amount of rust that was found on this original bike that has just past 23 years old.
Marcus takes me through the full rebuild. No expense has be spared. The frame has been stripped back to bare metal, any rust dealt with and multiple coats of paint and new custom decals applied. The build has been completed with a Shimano Deore XT groupset, Paul brake leavers and brakes, custom built wheels with Chris King hubs, Mavic X717 ceramic wheels, DT Swiss spokes and Kenda Nevagal tyres. The bike is finished with an original early 90’s (as new) Flite titanium saddle, Easton carbon 580mm handlebars and refinished blue Syncos stem and a Thomson seatpost. All up a very impressive setup.
The result of all this work is an amazing looking bike that rides like it has just rolled out of the factory. The ride is sublime, the frame is stiff but comfortable, and amazingly compliant considering the lack of suspension. The bike flies up hills and handles the rough stuff with ease, it almost feels like the bike is talking to you. I am amazed by the feedback through the handlebars and pedals. As I jump out of the saddle the bike surges forward and the modern groupset set never falters.
I had always wanted one of these bikes in the 90's but never had the chance to ride one let alone own one. Having experienced this bike I can safely say I want one even more now! What Marcus at Re(wind)cycle has done is astounding, having bought back a true classic from the 90's and added some moder technology to give the bike an edge resulting in a stunning machine. I challenge anyone to come up with a better example of this bike.
A huge thanks to Re(wind)Cycle for letting us in. Watch these pages for more of their awesome builds. Check them out at www.rewindcycle.com.au.
Full Specification - Yo Eddy Team
Frame: '91 Fat Chance Yo Eddy Team & matching straight segmented fork
Headset: Chris King 1" threaded in PewterStem: 130mm Syncros, refinished by RewindCycle in Fat City Cycles Aqua Fade blue
Handlebar: Easton EC70 carbon, 580mm
Brakes: Paul MotoLites
Brake levers: Paul Love Levers
Shifters: Deore XTSeatpost: Thomson 29.4mm
Saddle: Flite Titanium (original 1990)
F&R derailleurs: Deore XT
Crankset: Deore XT
Pedals: Deore XT
Bottom Bracket: Deore XT with ABI Ceramic replacement cartridge bearings
Wheels: Chris King hubs with Mavic X717 Ceramic wheels, DT Swiss Revolution spokes
Tyres: Kenda Nevagal
