![Voting Photo!.jpg Voting Photo!.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243155-Voting-Photo-.jpg)
Midriff-ter MTB began as a Rocky Mountain Fusion frame from Colorado with a custom Bronco's paint scheme. Once it landed in the BACK40, it got RaT-ified with a kustom RaT-ina paint job, and the rest is history. A 4 stage process to bring it to fruition with inspiration from vintage patina trucks from days gone by.
![Midriff frame original paint.jpg Midriff frame original paint.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243157-Midriff-frame-original-paint.jpg)
![midriff step 2 paint.jpg midriff step 2 paint.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243159-midriff-step-2-paint.jpg)
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The 'Mid' part of the name comes from the 27.5 mid-fat Alex MD35 rims with a 2.8 " knobby on the front that floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee, and a 2.6" ground grabber in the rear that digs in and provides traction in all varieties of terra firma, and even some terra loosa. The tires are set up tubeless, for that unparalleled ride quality and trail shock absorption. Shimano disc rotors are grabbed by Tektro M-285 Hydraulic brakes and levers, to provide sure stopping power in the diciest of situations.
![BC action shot YES.jpg BC action shot YES.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243198-BC-action-shot-YES.jpg)
![358802510_806978294293474_394996549325569127_n.jpg 358802510_806978294293474_394996549325569127_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243166-358802510-806978294293474-394996549325569127-n.jpg)
![363481760_612086784361522_6903275976992868606_n.jpg 363481760_612086784361522_6903275976992868606_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243165-363481760-612086784361522-6903275976992868606-n.jpg)
The cockpit is adorned with a Titanium railed Bontrager Evoke saddle mounted on the tried and true Thudbuster LT 90mm travel suspension post. I used it's ancestor the original Thudbuster back in '95 and Cane Creek has made this the go-to for hard tail suspension.
![363322468_835553334907842_2038304656079337954_n.jpg 363322468_835553334907842_2038304656079337954_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243169-363322468-835553334907842-2038304656079337954-n.jpg)
![Final Photo this one.jpg Final Photo this one.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243170-Final-Photo-this-one.jpg)
Shifting and braking and handling is in 'good hands' with the Salsa Rustler bar and Oury grips, which I have used exclusively on my mountain bikes since 1989! A Bontrager Line stem secures them to the steer tube of my "expensive date " ~ Funk Me (unquote) Rock Shox Judy SL 120mm suspension fork ( with kustom label fade paint job).
![midriffter bars finished.jpg midriffter bars finished.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243172-midriffter-bars-finished.jpg)
![Finished fork fade.jpg Finished fork fade.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243174-Finished-fork-fade.jpg)
![BC 3 modified.jpg BC 3 modified.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243175-BC-3-modified.jpg)
Powered by a Shimano 8 speed drivetrain, with 11-40t cassette and a 1x narrow / wide chain ring, this blends old school durability with new dynamics for a reliable and fun ride. The Bontrager Line pedals with replaceable studs and Action cranks put the 'pedal to the metal' and provide solid contact points for the rider.
![Finished drive train.jpg Finished drive train.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243179-Finished-drive-train.jpg)
The Blackburn frame pouch holds all the necessities for tire repair, a 17 tool multi-tool, and phone for emergency use or scenic location capture. And it snuggles in tight with the Blackburn bottle cage to provide needed hydration along the journey.
![363409109_620787069855241_6137468603422777726_n.jpg 363409109_620787069855241_6137468603422777726_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243180-363409109-620787069855241-6137468603422777726-n.jpg)
This build has put me back on track, single track, that is ; to the bike riding I have loved for the past 36 years. After a 2 year hiatus from the dirt, I am back grinding up hills, sliding through turns, bumping over rocks and roots, and sucking wind !
Here's to a few more good years in the dirt for this guy who is, well, old as dirt.
![363072511_310643481415216_8618774715781691119_n.jpg 363072511_310643481415216_8618774715781691119_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243176-363072511-310643481415216-8618774715781691119-n.jpg)
![363076614_962366794805488_4647508735329898888_n.jpg 363076614_962366794805488_4647508735329898888_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243177-363076614-962366794805488-4647508735329898888-n.jpg)
![362992847_758101099402390_5631430720090962669_n.jpg 362992847_758101099402390_5631430720090962669_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243178-362992847-758101099402390-5631430720090962669-n.jpg)
![Winning PHOTO THIS ONE.jpg Winning PHOTO THIS ONE.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243184-Winning-PHOTO-THIS-ONE.jpg)
![Finished blow up.jpg Finished blow up.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/ratrodbikes/data/attach/243/243185-Finished-blow-up.jpg)
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