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@Oddo
When I visited in August, my girlfriend used the MTB as we were riding through fields and the forest while I was riding a classic German functional bike that belonged to my mom's uncle.
We realised the old MTB was very fun but gearing was a bit steep for proper off-road fun, the slim commuter tyres lacked grip and the cheap removable mudguards flopped all over the place.
When I came back for Christmas I changed that. I brought a longer seat post, a smaller narrow-wide chainring from eBay and a bigger single speed sprocket. I ordered some nice 2.1" Billy Bonkers, compressionless brake housing and new brake pads.
I switched the gear ratio from 48x15 to a more off-road reasonable 42 x 20.
There was an interesting hurdle in the process. While my dad has two workshops, a lathe, circular saw, 200+ wood planes and more he did not have a chain whip. I tried a few tricks and hacks from the internet but I couldn't get the old sprocket off...
Dad to the rescue! He quickly hacked a chain whip / sprocket vice together with some spare wood and getting the lock ring of was easy peasy.
Just in time for a short spin before it was getting too dark.
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