Used bike build

470 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by AgrAde, 14 d ago

Snowblithe

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

I just built this bike up over the winter and I don’t have a lot of info on the frame. Just that it’s an Echo Urban 26” and by my measurements it has 1015mm wheel base (fork is 40mm-ish offset) and zero bb rise. And the serial number starts with 2001 (is that year of manufacture?)
I guess my biggest question, if anyone knows, is should I be expecting the IS mounts on the frame to fail, like, instantly, or there a chance it will be okay? They seem puny and from what I can find later models had a lot more material for reinforcement…
Thanks for any info you can give me.

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AgrAde

· #2 · 2 mo ago

I think that's an Echo ES3 rather than an Urban.

Don't use the IS mount, you'll crack the weld at the seatstay/dropout quite quickly. Just stick with the rim brakes.

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Snowblithe

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

Thanks for that, yeah I looked at pictures of the ES3 and it is the same. That said, the head tube has “Echo urban” stamped right into to it so I guess they were sold as both or the name transitioned at some point?
And about the IS on frame, unfortunately I have to run the disc brakes for now as that rim brake rim is dented and cracked such that the brakes rub the tire in one spot… I’ll have to be gentle with it until I can sort out another rim. Fingers crossed
Luckily I have a backup frame, but I don’t like the geometry as much. It has longer chainstays and front center and a slacker head angle.

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AgrAde

· #4 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

Huh. The first I remember of the Urban was after the ES4 when Echo kinda split the ES line into two - the Pure and the Urban. The Urban followed closer to their previous geometry and overall design but got burlier with a lot more gussets, and the pure was a slightly muted version of the Koxx Levelboss with a longer front triangle. I didn't know they were using the urban name before the post-ES4 urban. Would be interested to hear from anyone who was dealing with Echo around that time.

I'd sort out a new rim ASAP... the lifetime of frames back then when people were using disk brakes was measured in months not years. They weren't designed for it, the only reason that most of them actually had disk mounts was because they were using generic mtb dropouts from a catalog.

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Snowblithe

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 mo ago

That's interesting. I'm noticing that rear triangle-dropout plenums got intricate for a time and have later gotten far more simple. I imagine chasing stress risers on these convoluted shapes sent them down the rabbit-hole to make them reliable enough for discs when a plain old triangle shape with thick tubes seems to do the trick.
I will look into changing it quick then. Trials frames and parts around here are rare as hen's teeth and I'd hate to send a viable one to it's grave. Thanks for the advice

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AgrAde

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Yeah, there was no escaping the forces and torques on the dropout, no matter how wild people got with added gussets and braces and tubes. Between better materials/hydroforming/tubeset availability/cheap FEA/much better industry knowledge, we've got it pretty good now that's for sure.

I really like those older echos. My friend has a blue urban taking up space in his garage that I borrow every now and then.

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Sam.S

· #7 · 2 mo ago

I would also stay away from those shimano brake adapters.

Mine bent and cracked my Saint rear brake caliper.

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AgrAde

· #8 · 1 mo ago

Behold, the power of trials!

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Snowblithe

Discussion Starter · #9 · 23 d ago

I didn’t expect this…

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tda

· #10 · 21 d ago

theres a reason why u dont see nomo of them... brisas too, snapped same spot...

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De_Nada

· #11 · 21 d ago

Dang.

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THEDEMOLITIONMAN

· #12 · 14 d ago

tda said:
theres a reason why u dont see nomo of them... brisas too, snapped same spot...

Yeah, I knew Roger who owned Brisa, what a character..As for the Brisa’s, they began snapping, cracking from inception..Brisa started popping up around 2001’, had a great team at one time..Christian Santos, Nelson Reece and Mickey Benthem out of BC..

I wouldn’t buy a used one, it’ll end badly as the picture suggests..

thedman

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THEDEMOLITIONMAN

· #13 · 14 d ago

AgrAde said:
Huh. The first I remember of the Urban was after the ES4 when Echo kinda split the ES line into two - the Pure and the Urban. The Urban followed closer to their previous geometry and overall design but got burlier with a lot more gussets, and the pure was a slightly muted version of the Koxx Levelboss with a longer front triangle. I didn't know they were using the urban name before the post-ES4 urban. Would be interested to hear from anyone who was dealing with Echo around that time.

I'd sort out a new rim ASAP... the lifetime of frames back then when people were using disk brakes was measured in months not years. They weren't designed for it, the only reason that most of them actually had disk mounts was because they were using generic mtb dropouts from a catalog.

Good memory, when I road for TrialsinUSA back in the day for Timothy Williamson(01-07’) He got me sponsored with echo through his shop in 01’ and I was sent the first Echo ES1..It was quite hideous in color, having this nasty yellow paint job..I later sold it to Sam Perkins in 03’, he’s on OTN as well..Wonder if Sam still has it..?

I’m not a huge stock trials rider and chose the echo mods..still love the echo mods today..

thedman.

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AgrAde

· #14 · 14 d ago

Oh no!

Odd that it didn't go at the end of the gusset. Did the crack start at the bottom of the top tube?

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