After doing a lot of research on the Y
bikes, I decided on a Y5. I figured that now was the time to get a bike
with no compromises. With OCLV still being too expensive (up to around
US$800-1000), the dream Y33 was still a bit far off, so I concentrated
on the aluminium bikes. While the Y1 and Y3 looked good, the aluminium
URT of the Y5 is what made me decide on that model. Any less weight is
a good thing when most of your riding is up hills. Why not take the best
when it's on offer?
What I ended up with was a 1997 model
from Ebay. This was the top of the range aluminium mountain bike from Trek
for its day.
Shimano Deore LX derailleur. Note the replaceable hanger.
Although the Y bikes were sold in Australia, there were few which is hardly surprising that the Y5 was going for around A$3000 and the Y1 at around A$1400. I had no luck in trying to get one locally, so of course I turned to eBay with Y bikes everywhere! Problem was that most sellers of bikes on eBay have a policy of shipping to the U.S. only. Once in a blue moon would you get someone who would send worldwide, but it was always the wrong model or wrong frame size.
Being in the Model T Ford club provided
me with a solution in the end. I was referred to a guy who runs a container
service between Long Beach and Sydney who had brought in cars and parts
for the club members. So, I contacted him and discussed what I wanted to
do. It all seemed much easier than I thought; just get the bike sent to
Long Beach and pick it up in Sydney.
Before long a suitable Y5 came up, from
Utah. It was a 1997 model with original components, bare polished aluminium
frame and black URT. No worries about touch up paint there! The other colour
scheme for the Y5's is a purple frame with orange URT (1998 model)..
Being 6'2" tall I required a large size
frame; these bikes also being available in small and medium. You can tell
simply by looking what the size is. It's to do with the angle of the top
part of the "Y". For the small size, the top is below horizontal, while
for medium it is virtually horizontal. For the large size, it's above the
horizontal and the "Y" is symmetrical in appearance.
I knew I would win the auction simply
because I knew that in the U.S. they aren't used to paying as much for
bikes as we are in Australia.
I got it for US$455. This seems to be
a typical eBay price, with the Y3's going for about $100 less and the Y1's
$100 less than that again. And speaking of Ebay, let me thank the sellers
who are now linking to this page :)
In about two months the bike arrived so
I went and picked it up from a warehouse in Castle Hill one night. The
use of the container cost me A$200 which included the quarantine and customs
inspection. I couldn't wait to get it home and assemble it. By 11.30pm
I was able to take it for a short ride. The seller was even kind enough
to leave a new battery in the headlight!
The bike was in excellent condition for
its age with no cracks or deep scratches. It was also a pleasant surprise
to find the manuals and a new Trek water bottle. The previous owner had
replaced the saddle, but sent me the original as well. One of the tyres
was also obviously new. So, I had no problem giving good positive feedback,
especially as it turned out the seller would have sent directly to Australia
had I wished.
I thought it quaint that there was a Salt
Lake City bike registration sticker on the bottom bracket. I'm keeping
that of course. Also I noticed that the bike would not comply with Australian
standards; having no bell, no front or rear reflectors, and clear (not
orange) wheel reflectors. Too bad. I'm not changing it...it's a Yankee
bike and that's how it stays.
Salt Lake City registration sticker.
Specifications of my Y5.
Frame:
6061 Aluminium
Rims:
Matrix Swami
Stem:
Bontrager
Bars:
Bontrager Race 5
Bar
ends: Bontrager
Race 6061
Gearshifters:
Gripshift 24 speed
Brake
levers: Shimano Servo Wave Action
Brakes:
Shimano V
Fork:
Answer Manitou Pro
Rear
shock: Fox Vanilla
Derailleurs:
Shimano Deore LX
Cranks:
Shimano STX RC
Pedals:
Shimano SPD (now Shimano PD-M650)
Chain:
Shimano IG
Saddle:
Oasis (prev. Bontrager Plus 10)
Rear
skewer: Shimano
Rear
hub: ShimnanoParallax
Front
hub: System
Components
(The prevalence of Bontrager parts is due to the fact that Trek bought them out. The original tyres were probably Bontrager as well)
Riding the Y5
First ride was down to the end of Terrace
Falls road one afternoon after work. Once I got on the dirt it felt like
riding a rigid frame! All I can say is the guy who owned it must have been
alot heavier than me...the front shock was on the hardest setting for a
start. I backed this all the way off and wound down the rear spring a few
turns which made it feel like a dual suspension bike as it should.
With this Fox Vanilla shock and my light weight, power loss is a
non issue.
The gears were a change from the Shimano Rapid Fire shifters I was so used to. The concept of Gripshift was so totally different plus the gears worked in opposite directions depending if it was the front or rear derailleur.
I also had to get used to the brakes being
on opposite sides of the handlebar. Previously I had only been used to
the right brake being for the front wheel. It might sound trivial, but
the braking is totally different depending which wheel you apply most of
the stopping force to. I've always preferred to use the front brake for
most of the stopping power and the rear brake to provide stability.
With the Sydney Spring Cycle ride a week
away, I soon had 50km of practice and got familiar enough.
At this point I had done about 100km on
the bike and it was becoming second nature. What I really like with the
Gripshift is there is no indexing problems. No more critical derailleur
adjustments...ever! I will be able to ride this bike until the chain falls
off and all the chain ring teeth wear away and still be able to change
gears!
Even though there's 24 gears like my previous
Malvern Star Outlaw FS, the ratios on the Y5 are far more useful and hill
climbing is much easier. Perhaps the lightness of the all alloy frame helps.
How many other duallies weigh 12.5kg? Not many, and the lightness of this
bike is very obvious.
It is nice to have decent tyres that climb
the loose sandy and rocky trails in the bush.
The frame fits me nicely, with plenty
of adjustment in the seat height. So, there's been no more knee pain. I
did initially get bad neck pain but that was fixed by seat to handlebar
distance adjustment. Further improvement was gained by tilting the seat
upward by a few degrees. It is surprising how such slight adjustments have
a large effect on riding comfort.
On Boxing Day 2004 I went out for a ride
to Lithgow on this bike. It was 60km of uphill riding.
Blue Mountain Trig Station at Lawson (726m) February 2005.
