Retro mountain bikes

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  • yeah, maybe, wondering what the best option to get some stack* on there would be?

    *non-ugly

  • You can use something like this:
    https://www.bike24.com/p2166657.html

    I have one in 1” spare if you require.

  • Not retro (2005) but it’s going to be retro inspired. This is going to be resprayed by Argos in either dark metallic blue or dark metallic purple.

    I can’t decide if I should go all silver components or A mix of silver and black.


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  • What's the clamp size? Any ergotec bars on eBay that would suit?

  • does anyone know what this is? and is it worth £170? I’m in Belgium from Monday for a few weeks and may use it as an excuse to build an MTB into commuting / gravel / touring.
    https://www.2dehands.be/a/fietsen-en-brommers/fietsen-mountainbikes-en-atb/m1597929360-mountainbike-aluminium-shimano-deore-xt-rstregelbare-vering.html?c=dc19031229f6638c93974e145c5889d4&previousPage=lr
    (also WTF ads on that site...)


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  • The forks are completely dead...

  • Yeah @WimVDD spotted the forks need binning but if you can get some cheap rigids on there it could still be worth it. Its not over priced but not a bargain find and you'd need to sort out that seatpost/saddle arrangement. Its a early 90's GT Zaskar which were decent frames

  • Is it a Zaskar, @Retro_bastard? Not a cheaper Avalanche?

  • Nothing wrong with the seatpost, it only needs a 180° twist. ;)

  • Could well be an avalanche al/le ? I forgot they made those when i think avalanche i think of the cool white with blue splatter steel ones. The non anodized Zaskars were always really highly polished/ burnished so could be either as i doubt any 25+ year old frames are that shiny by now. Both were very similar frames both 6061 al just different geo
    (had to Google that last bit 😉)
    Zaskars were always more sought after though

  • thnx, that’s helpful

  • Complete rebuild and fresh hoops after a busy summer that ended in a crash


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  • Just seen this, glad you used that frame Max!

  • That looks quite similar spec to a Scott Octane that I was gifted recently: XT/LX mix. Those rear derailleurs are highly rated and the V-brakes might be decent if they're the ones with square profile springs that make adjustment reliable. Nothing wrong with Mavic 221 rims, although they're on the narrow side.

    Be aware that those cranks (LX FC-M569) are odd. The large chainring (which is splined and fixed with a locking to the crankarm) is all one piece with the spider to which the smaller chainrings are bolted. Replacements aren't that easy to come by and can be pricey, since it's a defunct design and you're replacing the whole spider as part of the outer chainring. Therefore if the outer chainring is worn, anticipate replacing the chainset soon.

    Overall, I'd say it's not worth £170 given that you're going to spend a bit getting it running well (fork, chainset, other bits and bobs)

  • Thanks! He loves it. Been using it for quite a while now :)

    Here it is commuter ready for his school runs.


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  • Coolest bike in the bike sheds I imagine.

  • So off to collect a 1997 GT Timberline this evening. Hopefully in as good / original condition as it looks in the image! I have bought this on a whim off eBay purely because it is identical to the first proper bike I bought! Not entirely sure what I am going to do with it though, already have a PX Kaffenback dad bike for the nursery run and live in SW London so most off road I have is Richmond Park. What should I change / add to mean it doesn't just sit in the garage as my wife believes it will? Bullmoose bars and Maxis DTH to make some sort of commuting cruiser???? Any inspo and ideas greatly received!


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  • Joined the ranks retro mtbs with the purchase of this
    https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/353684/#comment15517465
    It’s a 1992 Trek 990 which is either double or triple butted OX platinum, which is akin to Reynolds 853 I think.
    Not planning a full period resto more make do and mend using the parts bin job as it’s going to be my everyday lockup bike.

    Planning to replace the bars (One On Mary's) stem (80's quill high rise) and saddle with maybe a Brooks Flyer or B17, tyres something 2"+ that are road friendly as that will be 75% of it’s use.

    BB needs a service or replacing.
    I have some 7 speed shifters and Shimano adjustable pull ratio brake levers (I forget the model) from a previous GT Timerbline I owned.
    I serviced the hubs, the rear is salvable and OK but needs a new axle, so will replace the solid axle with a QR axle. The front hub has pitted cones and is still rough after a service so if I can replace the cones cheaply I might do the cones and bearings. The cups look in suprisingly good condition.
    Wheels need truing and a couple of small dinks in the rims need attention.

    There was a sheared bolt stuck in one of the seat stay rack fittings. Luckily it had about 4mm of the bolt sticking out as it was too long, which after soaking in plus gas I managed to get a grip of using mole grips and slowly managed to turn it and remove it.
    I tapped this fitting in case of damage and then tapped all the M5 holes and put greased bolts in them to stop further corrosion. All the other m5 holes just needed tapping to clean up.

    Longer term I have a Surly 700c Cross Check fork which matches the AC and rake and can take quite a wide tyre but needs the canti studs moving and the steerer extending. I’ll probably extend the steerer myself but pay a local framebuilder to add canti studs at the correct location for 559 wheels.
    The lugged style the Surly forks matches the lugged construction of the bike quite nicely although I'd prefer a Pacenti style fork like this https://theradavist.com/2014/01/beautiful-bicycle-benedicts-trek-970-650b-shred-sled/ but ££££ and this is supposed to be my everyday runaround!

    The top of the seat stays have a nice pantograph TREK.

    I might need advice on the front derailleur and getting a left 3 * shifter to match my right 7 * shifter.


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  • Nice! Similar construction & geo to the frame you sold me.

    Can’t wait to see what you end up with here.

  • @ectoplasmosis,, yeah it is similar. When I sold that frame to you it was part of big tidy / clearance and now I've cleared some stuff I have space for more bikes!!!!
    This bike It will be mainly low end stuff unlike what you've done the British Eagle, which is looking great.

  • Glad to see some progress on the Trek 990 already and so glad it’s gone to a loving home. I can help with details on the front mech if needed as it’ll be the same as my 950. It involves a top pull mech and clamping the end of the cable where the mud guard fixing bolt is on the chain stays.

    Below are my retro mtbs from the last year. I’ve sold the GT and the hard rock now, sadly. The Saracen is a WIP for my brother.


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  • Nice bikes

  • What sizes should i be looking at with rigid 90s mtbs? I'm 5'8" and usually ride a 52cm road frame and I had an On One 456 that was 16".

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Retro mountain bikes

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