Yeti DJ (2004)

Geneology

1/ Kona Caldera 2002

A 2002 Kona Caldera frame was purchased from Evans in August 2004. Parts were purchased from Evans to build a complete bike.

[Click on the thumbnails above for a larger picture.]

2/ Yeti DJ "Patriot"

The Yeti DJ Patriot project was conceived when an opportunity to purchase a used Yeti DJ frame arose in February 2005. The idea was to take parts from an existing, custom built, Kona Caldera and build up a cheap Yeti. The project was a compromise from the start: The DJ frame was primarily designed for dirt jumping whereas a trail/cross country bike was required. Many of the donor parts, from the Kona Caldera, were either unsuitable or worst incompatible.

Incompatible components were; seat post - incorrect size, front mech - incorrect size. Unsuitable component were; forks - not beefy enough, crankset - not beefy enough. Thus the list of incompatible and unsuitable components resulted in a long list of new parts.

However, the result was, in my opinion, very pleasing to the eye. Special attention was paid the creating the patriot colour "theme". This arose from the decision to use a Chris King patriot (coloured red, blue and silver) headset.

Ultimately though the Yeti DJ Patriot failed as a trail/cross country bike and it too became the donor for the next project. A Cove Handjob. But again the similar compromises and component incompatibility/unsuitability arose.

Incompatible components were; seat post - incorrect size, front mech - incorrect size. Unsuitable component were; pedals - too beefy, stem - too beefy. Whilst the list of incompatible and unsuitable components meant a fairly short list of new parts. Thus combined the list of incompatible and unsuitable components from both builds resulted significant list of spare parts. The largest of course being the DJ frame.

In the back of my mind I envisaged re-using the DJ frame at a later date rather than selling it. The Yeti DJ "Patriot" is no more. It was dismantled in the Spring of 2006, some parts being donated to a Cove Handjob. Other parts languishing in storage.

DJ as originally completed with Marzzochi MX Comp forks and no bashring.	Blackspire bashring added. Note the Syncross Mental pedals!	Hayes brakes.	Fox Talas RLC forks replaced the Marzzochi.
Dangerboy stema and Easton carbon bar.	Chris King Patriot headset as fitted to the DJ.

3/ Cove Handjob

A Cove Handjob frame was ordered from Sydney Street Bikes in Brighton in the Spring of 2006. The Yeti DJ was dismantled to supply parts for the Cove. Over time, some of the parts were replaced; e.g. Blackspire seatpost replaced with Thomson and Dangerboy stem replaced with Thomson. The Cove still retains some parts from the original Kona Caldera!

4/ Yeti DJ

As the number of spare parts began to accumulate, and with no desire to sell the DJ frame, a re-build took place in 2008.