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1983 Mantis Sherpa

The Sherpa was an early model Mantis built by Richard Cunningham using fillet-brazing and 4130 steel tubes.  The finishing on Mantis bikes of this era is a bit unusual because all of the fillets have a webbed shape, with a raised ridge that runs along the center-line of the bike. This makes the side profile of the fillets look huge, forming a continuous radius on the inside of the headtube, for example.  This particular Mantis uses a Henry James cast fork crown rather than the more common bi-plane forks found on other Mantis bikes of the era.  The sides of the fork crown have the Mantis emblem carved into them and are highlighted with yellow paint.  The Mantis stem with a removable faceplate was a novel design, and also featured internal cable routing.  An integrated seatpost binder and bullet ends to the stays are interesting touches as well.  With three water bottle bosses and a portage pad, this bike was intended to go anywhere.

The Build

Year: 1983
S/N: 210015
Frame: Mantis Sherpa
Fork: Mantis Sherpa
Stem: Mantis
Headset: Chris King
Bottom Bracket: Press Fit Cartridge Bearing
Handlebar: Mantis
Shifters: Shimano Deore XT M700
Front Derailleur: Suntour Mountech
Rear Derailleur: Suntour Mountech
Brake Levers: Tommaselli Racer
Front Brake: Shimano Deore XT M700
Rear Brake: Shimano Deore XT M700
Crankset: Specialized Touring
Chainrings: Specialized 26-36-46
Pedals: Campagnolo Record
Hubs: Phil Wood Cartridge Bearing
Rims: Ambrosio Durex
Tires: Specialized Stumpjumper
Wheel QR: Campagnolo Record
Seatpost: SR Laprade
Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor
Seatpost QR: Modified Campagnolo
Grips: Grab-On
Chain: Shimano UG
Cogs: Suntour Winner Pro Freewheel
Portage Strap: Pfotenhauer Custom
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