First pic is the reason for my forum tag. My first “proper” mtb a Zaskar LE 1996
Second of an early Santa Cruz Heckler of the same period, maybe a year or two later. The finish for the front triangle was beautiful. It was a polished aluminium finish with a red lacquered coating.
I don’t know...
It works fine and I have no problems with gear indexing. It does bring the chainring mighty close to the chainstay of the rear triangle, but no problems there so far.
I've just ordered a pair of these. 29 x 2.4
https://www.inspiralcycles.co.uk/components/tyres-tubes/schwalbe-hurricane-performance-addix-hybrid-tyre__11512
i must have had the last pair as they're now out of stock.