i guess Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know of a way to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly lost my account password. I love any tips you can give me
I still have my Karakoram. It was my first and only MTB I ever had, and I got it new while in college. I have been waiting for it to fail so I can get a modern bike. I crashed a few years back and bent the bull bars, but that's the only big repair I have had in 20+ years! The original Crossroads tires finally gave out a few weeks ago, and I got to teach my kids how to change tires. Something tells me that I will some day gift my GT to my son! Thanks for showing your GT build!
My son and I just got abandoned GT avalanche off the street. Inspried by you we did a home-school bike restoration and it looks and rides great. Thank you for showing people that a bike that may look like junk to some can actually be a really great ride.
completelly agree but an aluminium bike from the 90 would be rideable today by a "heavy" person? from 120 to almost 300 lbs I'm totally afraid for my life on that bike...
Incredibly warm videos saturated with an indescribable atmosphere! I could not imagine that someone is doing this now) I myself am the owner of two old bikes, I can say that I personally reassembled them again in 2020 - GT i-drive 2005 and Trek 4400 2009, on modern components. It's crazy to watch the revival of the classics in our new world! Thank you very much!!!
Really been enjoying your videos. I tore down a late 80's steel frame road bike a few. years ago and had the frame powdercoated and then I built it back with an upgraded groupset. A few weeks ago I picked up a late 80's steel mountain bike that I've been in the process of converting to a drop bar 1x10 gravel commuter. Hoping to make a video of the build up. My favorite thing in the world is to give a new life to something that's been cast aside, and leave things better than I find them. Glad I found your channel.
In 1989 I bought my 1st Gen Karakoram... rode it for 10yrs plus and loved every kilometer I cycled on it , sold it to a good friend ( instantly regret it cos the this bike was actually part who I am or became ) Years flew past , my bikes got more expensive and advanced and my collection kept growing... but there was still something not right ! In 2017 , GT - South Africa 🇿🇦 announced that they'll be dropping the Karakoram name from their stable 😳 Soooo .. I went out and bought the "last" model back then in 2017 , thinking this might cure that void in my heart a Month ago... my friend contacted me, asking if I want my old Karakoram back for a "small" trade .. which I jumped at once !! I could not believe my ears ... my bike was hanging in his garage for 20yrs plus Now that my trusty steed is back with me ❤ I have contacted a custom spray factory that specialises in bicycles only ... To spray my 2017 in exact same colours as my Gen One , a carbon copy if you'll call that ! Greetings from Johannesburg - South Africa 🇿🇦
I have a Mongoose Hilltopper that's about that color. It's a deep candy apple red with a glorious gloss and shine. Bike is over 20 years old and the paint is near immaculate. I also have a Shimano STX-RC triple on it that I got used secondhand. This bike has taken me across the country and along the east coast, with over 10K miles touring. Bikes were built to last back then, and they are so easy and fun to work on. Nice build man.
I had a blue Karakoram, bought new in 96. Only had it a month and it was stolen. Its great seeing you restore these old bikes, a real nostalgia fest. The bike i have today which is also a steel hardtail is so radically different and better to that old gt and other bikes i had, it feels almost wrong to say that watching these videos that bring back fond memories
I'm always amazed at what a big difference a thorough cleaning and replacement brake and shifter cables and housing makes. That forces some related items like derailleur set up, hanger alignment, chain, brake adjustment, lever position, etc. Sure, wheel and BB bearings may need some grease refresh as well, but it often just takes some elbow grease to turn a poor performing bike to a smooth rider. Keep it up Rob! Glad to see some #givethanks in this season.
Love all your restorations, but especially the old 80s & 90s bikes. Being the proud owner of a Claud Butler 'Kylami' (old UK firm, rigid steel MTB, 1991, still going strong), I've always got my radar out for the kindnesses you do to these old 'friends'. Keep up the very good work and look forwards to your next vid. Take it easy, from the UK (well, from me at least)🚴
I had a GT Karakoram just like this when i was a kid. I love the videos you do; and the sense of generosity and goodwill you give to your community is incredible. Thank you for making these videos - they are amongst my favorites.
I love these beautiful old bikes. With its 26 inch wheels, brakes actuated by cables. Colored. Each with its own personality. Congratulations, Rob. Tchau!
Gosh. I love all your stuff. I am especially fixated to upgrades and restoration of vintage MTBs. I'm working on a 1992 Diamondback, and '89 Trek 830 right now, so I am paying close attention. One note... In this video, at 3:27 when you're servicing the shifter, that reminds me of service of a rifle trigger group. I like to blast with BrakeFree to degrease and blow out the dirt, then immediately follow-up with some quality anti-rust lubricant. I'll keep watching. Thank you again.
My first "shop" bike was this model, this brought me back 25 years! I chose a different color than this red, the ghost flame(black/blue), but remember deciding for a day between the two colors. Thank you for this great video!
Thanks for the video. It's a great bike design that needs to be preserved. Sometimes the manufacturers get it right. The color is awesome and I'm glad you decided to keep it original. My Haro Escape A7.0 has a unique blue that I've had a hard time finding a match for touch ups. But there is a Volkswagen color that comes close. As long as I can, I'm going to keep that paint. Along with the sprayed on graphics. Thanks again!
Great video! The GT Karakoram was my dream bike back in the 90's. How nice is to see one of these beauties taking the love of you work! Big bug, and thanks for share this video with us!
Let me tell you that i can spend all day watching your videos!!! It's amazing the way you restore bikes!!! I would like you live close to me and repair my bikes!! Congratilations!!!
I have a similar vintage 1998 GT Outpost I'm working on right now, it's green with white and gold accents. Picked up a wheelset today, need to find a fork, have a line on some LX cantilever brakes. Should be fun, and it already looks really cool. Love your style of doing things, old school builds with modern style are awesome.
I just picked up a circa 1993 GT Karakoram which is the first GT bike I've ever owned (having bought/owned/sold hundreds of bikes over 30+ years). It came with the all-black Deore LX groupset, before compact cranks and parallax hubs entered the scene. It's "Ferrari Red" with white/yellow graphics. What an awesome bike! Looks delicious with cream Fat Franks!
I love these restorations. As a broke college kid in the early 90's (living on the GI Bill), I spent hundreds of hours drooling on these bikes. I had a Timberline budget but Zaskar dreams..LOL Good times!
A year later. I just picked up a vintage GT Saddleback that really just needed a new chain, deep cleaning, lube and a bit of adjustment. Not bad for $20. But those bars were insane. I had a nice swept 660mm smaller diameter 80's bars taken off another bike. Good rise too. So next order was new cables everywhere. That ate half my 2020 horde of cables and ends. Mine also still had a threaded stem, but that can wait. i just want a bike to scout two track and old logging roads. Lot of ideas for next steps from your work. Thank you!
A used up pawn shop Karakoram was my first project bike. And I'm glad you said what you did about wider bars and a shorter stem. You finished talking me into the next move for my old Hammer Race.
I sold my Tequesta a couple years ago. I hope it gets a nice rebuild like this. It was a great bike. Many miles from Michigan to West Virginia to Colorado and Utah.
Just wanted to say a big thank you for your fantastic videos, I was going to buy a new mtb this year after 10 years of not cycling, but haven't been able to work since March because of Coronavirus restrictions in the U.K. I found your channel in April and your videos inspired me to unstick the seatpost on my 1993 Orange Clockwork, rub it down after disassembly, spray it rat rod style and rebuild it with salvaged parts from a Specialized Rockhopper I picked up dirt cheap. The Rockhopper was too small for me, I bought it for parts. Long story, but I now have a fully working bike I rebuilt myself except for final set up with cables. I traded the Rockhopper and the bomber forks that were on it for two Schwalbe black jack tyres with the shop that did the cabling. I could have gotten a lot more for the trade but the Rockhopper is now being built up by the shop for a young lad whose father is struggling to get him a bike. If it wasn't for your channel I wouldn't have bothered so thanks for being an inspiration. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
@@r0gu3_d4unk5 eBay is a good starting point. Do your research and you can get some mint stuff. Recently picked up a near perfect 2003 dirt jumper 2 for 40 pounds. Just gotta know what your after and search until it comes along.
I've been taking apart a lot of seized-up or otherwise nonshifting Deore & similar shifters lately, as well. A DEEP clean usually gets them shifting like new, but some previous owners have really been hard on them. Often it's a case of oil & dust just clogging things up. Sometimes they benefit rom a soak in mineral spirits to dissolve old sticky lube then start from clean. So rewarding.
Great video Rob, love seeing people put time and effort in their work! I do voluntary work for a bike workshop, we get bikes donated, strip them down, cleaned and rebuild and given out to asylum seekers in UK. It's amazing what gets donated, I have ended up with decent stuff as we as volunteers are allowed to buy stuff cheap. The money we pay goes towards the organisation and cause we run.
Hello, a long time ago I would like to see you restore and maintain the original characteristics of the bike. Thank you very much, it was perfect, congratulations.
Such a cool build! I have a soft spot for the karakoram. Also, i never knew that axle dropout straightener existed. Cool to see it in use. I'm with you, short stem and wide bars makes such a huge difference. Haha. I loved the footage of you riding those narrow bars.
@@oldshovel Those bars look narrow even for stock bars of that era. About the same width as the stock bars I cut an inch off of my 93 Rockhopper to make it a city rider.
i just picked up a 93' GT Richter 08 as my first mountian bike. I love the way these 90s GTs look. I love the way narrow bars and long stem look but after hitting some of my first trails it felt a little unstable for me (im also a kook) so im adding a short stem and wider bars as well. So much fun to customize and experiment with these!
I'll tell you what I really like about your videos, other than the fact it's cool bikes and customisation and all that jazz... There's not much talking, it's more a "shut it and watch it" affair. Genuinely love it, I'm not taking the piss.
Had to rewatch this since I’m wrenching on a 92 Karakoram with rear U brake. Not sure if I’m supposed to route brake cable housing through the “Groove Tube” or not. Such a weird bike but the Tequila Sunrise paint is so fresh.
Excellent video! I share my opinion with you, the bikes of the 90's are very high quality, they last for many years, the parts are indestructible with quality maintenance. I also rode newer bikes, but I always came back to steel and the legendary shimano deore xt 737 series, which looks like now out of the factory, cassette, drivetrain, brakes, shifters, wheels, absolutely everything works perfectly. I've never sat on a bike that has such accuracy when changing gears, somehow I get excited every time I sit on it.
I’m glad you kept the paint with the chips and scratches. It goes along well with giving it new life but not glossing over the adventures it once had. Well done
I’m glad my old bike went to a good home! And also glad you were able to stay under your build budget ;( contact me if you would like some more 90s frames I got a bunch of new ones! Btw I like the videos
I've been looking for a GT Karakorum for a while, and when I saw this video, 3 years ago, it cemented my want for one. They just are not very plentiful in my neck of the woods, but I was able to pick one up from a buddy this week. Now I just have to decide exactly what I want to do with it. Right now it has slick tires on it, and the front fork is a rigid fork. It is the black and purple model. I am pretty stoked about it. Maybe a build and bikepacking trip series on the bike that I build. That is a thought...
I just picked up one just like this last week , exact same color and frame . I think it has 1st generation rockshox on it . I`m thinking on putting drop bars on it with a shorter stem as I want to ride it on trails not i the woods . Might change the forks to rigid though . I think the narrow bars were and are crazy and yet I like them . Thank you for the great content and inspiration to keep old bikes rolling .
This is great. I have been wanting to do a vintage/retro MTB build. I'm wondering do you know of any resources for retro MTB sizing? I'm not sure what size I should be going for. I Googled it but only got old forum links and not much info. I'm 6'2 in case anyone can tell me what size might be good. Cheers 🦾
Just bought a GT palomar ‘98 all original parts (except wheels). I’m really enjoying riding it and I am thinking of upgrading the specs. Great video 👍🏻
Still riding my 1999 GT Karakoram in orange as my neighborhood and sometimes trail bike. Very little changed on it, mostly original and still riding great!
In 30 years people are going to restore these again and get rich off all the buckles he puts in the bars. I lost count of how many pairs of oury grips he used. Great video
very nice. i have little bike repiar shop in my house. i dont have soo much special tools but im trying to get some of them. :) im always waching your videos. very very good job. returning old bickes on the road its just perfect. good luck man.
Excellent job as always. Any thoughts on the longer term durability of the paint and decals after restoration? I avoid repainting when possible because older paint (using now banned Chems) was stronger Is your paint / decals standing up to abuse on the trails? That’s the key to whether I would start using it, rather than how good it looks on day one
It would great to see you turn one of these older mountain bikes into a gravel/adventure bike. I am looking to do that with my late 90's Diamond Back Wildwood.
Outstanding! I’ve only seen once a polished aluminum GT Bike here in Costa Rica! It came to my attention after your first GT double triangle bike review!
As usual another really nice job! I have a newer Santa Cruz Juiliana & I had the wide handlebars swapped out for narrower ones-not as narrow as the ones on this build of yours but not so wide that I feel like I'm driving a bus. I bought the bike for a vacation to Moab, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands National Park & Monument Valley all on hold because of the virus. I have my bike set up for how I think it will work best on the rocky sandy ground in Utah. It's very different here in Kentucky. Mountain biking here is more like offroad slope riding. Trails are just ruts. Anyway, I'm ready for the trip just waiting for the vaccine to be available. I really enjoy your videos & am in awe of all your Park tools.👍☮️🌞🚵♂️
Hi, always enjoy your videos and positive approach. Question: what are your thoughts about purchasing used 26” MTB as a starter to get into the hobby? I read that replacement components can be hard to find. Also, I am 6’1” so not sure if the fit either. Best regards
Another great bike build Mr Oldshovel, please keep them coming as they are so inspiring and my old Dawes is finished and I am looking forward to riding it soon.
As always, great video!
Thanks 🙏 it always helps to have great tools.
@@oldshovel hey would you sell that Dean stem
@parktool I think @oldshovel has graduated at this point. Why don't you guys send over the pro headset press already? lol
i guess Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know of a way to log back into an instagram account?
I stupidly lost my account password. I love any tips you can give me
@Reign Leonardo Instablaster :)
I still have my Karakoram. It was my first and only MTB I ever had, and I got it new while in college. I have been waiting for it to fail so I can get a modern bike. I crashed a few years back and bent the bull bars, but that's the only big repair I have had in 20+ years! The original Crossroads tires finally gave out a few weeks ago, and I got to teach my kids how to change tires. Something tells me that I will some day gift my GT to my son! Thanks for showing your GT build!
2021's in my shop. Not too bad and they are red lol
Karakoram wheelies really well, and Deore LX is the only groupset you'll ever need, it's bomb proof.
My son and I just got abandoned GT avalanche off the street. Inspried by you we did a home-school bike restoration and it looks and rides great. Thank you for showing people that a bike that may look like junk to some can actually be a really great ride.
How did you do this?
I have the same bike since 1991and I love it.l'm in Greece and I'm Greek.
A lot of life left in these old steel bikes indeed
often more than nowadays cheap aluminium mass produced bikes
completelly agree but an aluminium bike from the 90 would be rideable today by a "heavy" person? from 120 to almost 300 lbs I'm totally afraid for my life on that bike...
Incredibly warm videos saturated with an indescribable atmosphere! I could not imagine that someone is doing this now) I myself am the owner of two old bikes, I can say that I personally reassembled them again in 2020 - GT i-drive 2005 and Trek 4400 2009, on modern components. It's crazy to watch the revival of the classics in our new world! Thank you very much!!!
Really been enjoying your videos. I tore down a late 80's steel frame road bike a few. years ago and had the frame powdercoated and then I built it back with an upgraded groupset. A few weeks ago I picked up a late 80's steel mountain bike that I've been in the process of converting to a drop bar 1x10 gravel commuter. Hoping to make a video of the build up. My favorite thing in the world is to give a new life to something that's been cast aside, and leave things better than I find them. Glad I found your channel.
I build these old bikes up vicariously through you lol. Thanks for doing it! Old GT bikes are nostalgic to me.
Those late 80s and 90s GTs are the best looking hardtails ever. They look fast sitting there😅
In 1989 I bought my 1st Gen Karakoram... rode it for 10yrs plus and loved every kilometer I cycled on it , sold it to a good friend ( instantly regret it cos the this bike was actually part who I am or became )
Years flew past , my bikes got more expensive and advanced and my collection kept growing... but there was still something not right !
In 2017 , GT - South Africa 🇿🇦 announced that they'll be dropping the Karakoram name from their stable 😳
Soooo .. I went out and bought the "last" model back then in 2017 , thinking this might cure that void in my heart
a Month ago... my friend contacted me, asking if I want my old Karakoram back for a "small" trade .. which I jumped at once !!
I could not believe my ears ... my bike was hanging in his garage for 20yrs plus
Now that my trusty steed is back with me ❤
I have contacted a custom spray factory that specialises in bicycles only ...
To spray my 2017 in exact same colours as my Gen One , a carbon copy if you'll call that !
Greetings from Johannesburg - South Africa 🇿🇦
I have a Mongoose Hilltopper that's about that color. It's a deep candy apple red with a glorious gloss and shine. Bike is over 20 years old and the paint is near immaculate. I also have a Shimano STX-RC triple on it that I got used secondhand. This bike has taken me across the country and along the east coast, with over 10K miles touring. Bikes were built to last back then, and they are so easy and fun to work on. Nice build man.
Love to see modern tires on older bikes. Those 2.25 fill up the frame nice
I had a blue Karakoram, bought new in 96. Only had it a month and it was stolen. Its great seeing you restore these old bikes, a real nostalgia fest. The bike i have today which is also a steel hardtail is so radically different and better to that old gt and other bikes i had, it feels almost wrong to say that watching these videos that bring back fond memories
A classic saved for years to come, great work as always. Had my GT over twenty years now, great bikes thanks for the inspiring work all the best Andy
Awesome. Thanks Andy.
Absolutely loved this. I recently my GT outpost from the 90's out of storage, and with a little TLC I'm back having a great time riding.
Good to see your video. We all need some good times. Watching your videos makes me kinda happy and hopeful. Thanks
I'm always amazed at what a big difference a thorough cleaning and replacement brake and shifter cables and housing makes. That forces some related items like derailleur set up, hanger alignment, chain, brake adjustment, lever position, etc. Sure, wheel and BB bearings may need some grease refresh as well, but it often just takes some elbow grease to turn a poor performing bike to a smooth rider. Keep it up Rob! Glad to see some #givethanks in this season.
Love all your restorations, but especially the old 80s & 90s bikes. Being the proud owner of a Claud Butler 'Kylami' (old UK firm, rigid steel MTB, 1991, still going strong), I've always got my radar out for the kindnesses you do to these old 'friends'. Keep up the very good work and look forwards to your next vid. Take it easy, from the UK (well, from me at least)🚴
I had a GT Karakoram just like this when i was a kid. I love the videos you do; and the sense of generosity and goodwill you give to your community is incredible. Thank you for making these videos - they are amongst my favorites.
Can you do rebuild/restoration of old school Specialized Stumpjumper? Love your videos. Keep it up!
I love these beautiful old bikes. With its 26 inch wheels, brakes actuated by cables. Colored. Each with its own personality. Congratulations, Rob. Tchau!
ciao
The shots that you are riding the restored bike are amazing!
Thanks
Gosh. I love all your stuff. I am especially fixated to upgrades and restoration of vintage MTBs. I'm working on a 1992 Diamondback, and '89 Trek 830 right now, so I am paying close attention. One note... In this video, at 3:27 when you're servicing the shifter, that reminds me of service of a rifle trigger group. I like to blast with BrakeFree to degrease and blow out the dirt, then immediately follow-up with some quality anti-rust lubricant. I'll keep watching. Thank you again.
My first "shop" bike was this model, this brought me back 25 years! I chose a different color than this red, the ghost flame(black/blue), but remember deciding for a day between the two colors. Thank you for this great video!
Keep up the great work Oldshovel! Always glad to enjoy a cup of coffee and watch an excellent rebuild/restoration
Thanks for the video. It's a great bike design that needs to be preserved. Sometimes the manufacturers get it right. The color is awesome and I'm glad you decided to keep it original. My Haro Escape A7.0 has a unique blue that I've had a hard time finding a match for touch ups. But there is a Volkswagen color that comes close. As long as I can, I'm going to keep that paint. Along with the sprayed on graphics. Thanks again!
Great video! The GT Karakoram was my dream bike back in the 90's. How nice is to see one of these beauties taking the love of you work! Big bug, and thanks for share this video with us!
Let me tell you that i can spend all day watching your videos!!! It's amazing the way you restore bikes!!! I would like you live close to me and repair my bikes!! Congratilations!!!
I have a similar vintage 1998 GT Outpost I'm working on right now, it's green with white and gold accents. Picked up a wheelset today, need to find a fork, have a line on some LX cantilever brakes. Should be fun, and it already looks really cool. Love your style of doing things, old school builds with modern style are awesome.
I just picked up a circa 1993 GT Karakoram which is the first GT bike I've ever owned (having bought/owned/sold hundreds of bikes over 30+ years). It came with the all-black Deore LX groupset, before compact cranks and parallax hubs entered the scene. It's "Ferrari Red" with white/yellow graphics. What an awesome bike! Looks delicious with cream Fat Franks!
Another fantastic and very therapeutic video... I love the look of the old GT frames, I really need to get my old Sunn finished!
I love these restorations. As a broke college kid in the early 90's (living on the GI Bill), I spent hundreds of hours drooling on these bikes. I had a Timberline budget but Zaskar dreams..LOL Good times!
A year later. I just picked up a vintage GT Saddleback that really just needed a new chain, deep cleaning, lube and a bit of adjustment. Not bad for $20. But those bars were insane. I had a nice swept 660mm smaller diameter 80's bars taken off another bike. Good rise too. So next order was new cables everywhere. That ate half my 2020 horde of cables and ends. Mine also still had a threaded stem, but that can wait. i just want a bike to scout two track and old logging roads. Lot of ideas for next steps from your work. Thank you!
A used up pawn shop Karakoram was my first project bike.
And I'm glad you said what you did about wider bars and a shorter stem. You finished talking me into the next move for my old Hammer Race.
Excellent video, my first mountain bike was a steel GT Karakoram back in 1989. This video bring great memories.
i have a GT Tequesta with the "inferno" paintjob that i recently got from a trade, this video gives me even more motivation to work on it!
I picked up a Tequesta a few months ago, and finally getting all the parts ready to go on it. Way cool.
There's a Tequesta for sale locally $75) that I am contemplating purchasing with the same plans
I sold my Tequesta a couple years ago. I hope it gets a nice rebuild like this. It was a great bike. Many miles from Michigan to West Virginia to Colorado and Utah.
Another super relaxing video and a beautiful build.
When I was a kid I admired bikes like that.
Just wanted to say a big thank you for your fantastic videos, I was going to buy a new mtb this year after 10 years of not cycling, but haven't been able to work since March because of Coronavirus restrictions in the U.K.
I found your channel in April and your videos inspired me to unstick the seatpost on my 1993 Orange Clockwork, rub it down after disassembly, spray it rat rod style and rebuild it with salvaged parts from a Specialized Rockhopper I picked up dirt cheap. The Rockhopper was too small for me, I bought it for parts.
Long story, but I now have a fully working bike I rebuilt myself except for final set up with cables.
I traded the Rockhopper and the bomber forks that were on it for two Schwalbe black jack tyres with the shop that did the cabling. I could have gotten a lot more for the trade but the Rockhopper is now being built up by the shop for a young lad whose father is struggling to get him a bike.
If it wasn't for your channel I wouldn't have bothered so thanks for being an inspiration. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
When you do these vintage rebuilds do you also rebuild the forks but don’t show it?
Exactly my thought? Where do you get forks that are worth using? Or how do you go about servicing the used/abused ones you come upon?
@@r0gu3_d4unk5 eBay is a good starting point. Do your research and you can get some mint stuff. Recently picked up a near perfect 2003 dirt jumper 2 for 40 pounds. Just gotta know what your after and search until it comes along.
Eh, on some of these old coil forks there isn’t much you can do. A little silicone/triflow on the stanchions helps.
@@r0gu3_d4unk5 Same place he got a steel bike that wasn't Walmart spec?
@@JamesAlexanderFoxhal Dude killer find, I have been looking for one of those for months now lol
I've been taking apart a lot of seized-up or otherwise nonshifting Deore & similar shifters lately, as well. A DEEP clean usually gets them shifting like new, but some previous owners have really been hard on them. Often it's a case of oil & dust just clogging things up. Sometimes they benefit rom a soak in mineral spirits to dissolve old sticky lube then start from clean. So rewarding.
love the GT frame design. looks so cool.
Those fond memories of mid 90s...missed my GT RTS & Backwood
Beautiful work - nice to watch you giving new life to classic bikes. You are one of the reasons that I dared taking on a project. Thank you🚴♂️
That red and black combo on that GT.....epic. WTB's just put the finishing touches. Rad job!
Fantastic bike, and amazing scenery at the end! Keep them coming please, your builds are magnificent!
Great video Rob, love seeing people put time and effort in their work! I do voluntary work for a bike workshop, we get bikes donated, strip them down, cleaned and rebuild and given out to asylum seekers in UK. It's amazing what gets donated, I have ended up with decent stuff as we as volunteers are allowed to buy stuff cheap. The money we pay goes towards the organisation and cause we run.
I never get tired of rewatching this video 🤞💯
Wide bars and short stem for life!! Alot better for cornering ect. Looks funny. Good job as always.
That skinny, flowing, smooth single track surrounded by wheat or dead grass looks amazingly fun to ride.
I'd love to get my hands on a GT Pulse frameset, they are just gorgeous. Great job as usual!
Love the GT Karakoram
I have a 1991 Blue Widow version with all Deore DX.
It is part of my heart
I find bliss watching your vid man..you speak so soft and calm plus that background music which makes your heart melt.. Keep it up!
Hello, a long time ago I would like to see you restore and maintain the original characteristics of the bike. Thank you very much, it was perfect, congratulations.
Cleanest restoration I’ve seen so far!
Such a cool build! I have a soft spot for the karakoram. Also, i never knew that axle dropout straightener existed. Cool to see it in use.
I'm with you, short stem and wide bars makes such a huge difference. Haha. I loved the footage of you riding those narrow bars.
It was just enough to convince me that it was not worth the nostalgia to keep them 😁. I don’t know why we ever thought they were a good idea.
@@oldshovel Those bars look narrow even for stock bars of that era. About the same width as the stock bars I cut an inch off of my 93 Rockhopper to make it a city rider.
So glad you kept the red and black.
i just picked up a 93' GT Richter 08 as my first mountian bike. I love the way these 90s GTs look. I love the way narrow bars and long stem look but after hitting some of my first trails it felt a little unstable for me (im also a kook) so im adding a short stem and wider bars as well. So much fun to customize and experiment with these!
I'll tell you what I really like about your videos, other than the fact it's cool bikes and customisation and all that jazz... There's not much talking, it's more a "shut it and watch it" affair. Genuinely love it, I'm not taking the piss.
I love this bike! Props for keeping the old stem and bars. I'm also amazed that the chain stays can fit 2.25's.
Had to rewatch this since I’m wrenching on a 92 Karakoram with rear U brake. Not sure if I’m supposed to route brake cable housing through the “Groove Tube” or not. Such a weird bike but the Tequila Sunrise paint is so fresh.
This was my first "real" bike. Brings back some fond memories.
Another awesome build. Another great example that we don’t have to live in a disposable world.
This channel is pure gold
The last shots were amazing, you should include more shots of that type (pov) 👏
Excellent video! I share my opinion with you, the bikes of the 90's are very high quality, they last for many years, the parts are indestructible with quality maintenance. I also rode newer bikes, but I always came back to steel and the legendary shimano deore xt 737 series, which looks like now out of the factory, cassette, drivetrain, brakes, shifters, wheels, absolutely everything works perfectly. I've never sat on a bike that has such accuracy when changing gears, somehow I get excited every time I sit on it.
I’m glad you kept the paint with the chips and scratches. It goes along well with giving it new life but not glossing over the adventures it once had. Well done
I had a GT Zaskar that color and vintage, Damn i miss the heck out of it. Nice Build!
Hey that's fantastic. I bought yesterday the same bike for 30Bucks and want to restore it. Thank you for motivation.
I’m glad my old bike went to a good home! And also glad you were able to stay under your build budget ;( contact me if you would like some more 90s frames I got a bunch of new ones! Btw I like the videos
Way to get one from you?for me to restore?
I really enjoy watching your videos.Im a huge fan of restoring these old Rides.
I've been looking for a GT Karakorum for a while, and when I saw this video, 3 years ago, it cemented my want for one. They just are not very plentiful in my neck of the woods, but I was able to pick one up from a buddy this week. Now I just have to decide exactly what I want to do with it. Right now it has slick tires on it, and the front fork is a rigid fork. It is the black and purple model. I am pretty stoked about it. Maybe a build and bikepacking trip series on the bike that I build. That is a thought...
Another work of art sir , Im a big fan of your channel , keep on restorating retro bikes sir , salute👌👌👌 , chao
A GT build will always be my favorite!
You do the best work. We need some sort of drop bar vintage MTB machine sometime soon!
I just picked up one just like this last week , exact same color and frame . I think it has 1st generation rockshox on it . I`m thinking on putting drop bars on it with a shorter stem as I want to ride it on trails not i the woods . Might change the forks to rigid though . I think the narrow bars were and are crazy and yet I like them . Thank you for the great content and inspiration to keep old bikes rolling .
This is great. I have been wanting to do a vintage/retro MTB build. I'm wondering do you know of any resources for retro MTB sizing? I'm not sure what size I should be going for. I Googled it but only got old forum links and not much info. I'm 6'2 in case anyone can tell me what size might be good. Cheers 🦾
90's kona & gt steel bikes are just beautiful
Nice build gives everyone motivation and build
and restore their old bikes 👍😊
GT back in the day..... sweet bikes!!
More budget builds like them a lot good work as always
👍🏼
Just bought a GT palomar ‘98 all original parts (except wheels). I’m really enjoying riding it and I am thinking of upgrading the specs.
Great video 👍🏻
Still riding my 1999 GT Karakoram in orange as my neighborhood and sometimes trail bike. Very little changed on it, mostly original and still riding great!
In 30 years people are going to restore these again and get rich off all the buckles he puts in the bars. I lost count of how many pairs of oury grips he used. Great video
very nice. i have little bike repiar shop in my house. i dont have soo much special tools but im trying to get some of them. :) im always waching your videos. very very good job. returning old bickes on the road its just perfect. good luck man.
What is you sanding process? What grits do you use?
Excellent job as always. Any thoughts on the longer term durability of the paint and decals after restoration?
I avoid repainting when possible because older paint (using now banned Chems) was stronger
Is your paint / decals standing up to abuse on the trails?
That’s the key to whether I would start using it, rather than how good it looks on day one
It would great to see you turn one of these older mountain bikes into a gravel/adventure bike. I am looking to do that with my late 90's Diamond Back Wildwood.
Absolutely!!!!! :)
They almost already are. Just throw on a decent stem and handlebar and go!
Amazing! I bought this bike a month is so ago for a project! Purple 1994. I’m ready to be inspired (although I love the original purple paint)
Outstanding! I’ve only seen once a polished aluminum GT Bike here in Costa Rica! It came to my attention after your first GT double triangle bike review!
...you brought an old war horse back to life..lol...good job, stay safe..
I agree go a little wider, but not too wide, something like just 620mm maybe. What are they now 580?
Stay classy..... 👌 Another beautifully put together video of the bikes we knew and loved, getting that new life
As usual another really nice job! I have a newer Santa Cruz Juiliana & I had the wide handlebars swapped out for narrower ones-not as narrow as the ones on this build of yours but not so wide that I feel like I'm driving a bus. I bought the bike for a vacation to Moab, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands National Park & Monument Valley all on hold because of the virus. I have my bike set up for how I think it will work best on the rocky sandy ground in Utah. It's very different here in Kentucky. Mountain biking here is more like offroad slope riding. Trails are just ruts. Anyway, I'm ready for the trip just waiting for the vaccine to be available. I really enjoy your videos & am in awe of all your Park tools.👍☮️🌞🚵♂️
Hi, always enjoy your videos and positive approach. Question: what are your thoughts about purchasing used 26” MTB as a starter to get into the hobby? I read that replacement components can be hard to find. Also, I am 6’1” so not sure if the fit either. Best regards
Another great bike build Mr Oldshovel, please keep them coming as they are so inspiring and my old Dawes is finished and I am looking forward to riding it soon.
Love your new workshop! Good work!
I have a 1989 GT Tequesta that I restored. I love the color blue and that bike rides cool. I call it the cool bike.
Love those GT frames, another great build 👍🇬🇧
Classic GT ''I want it to really have new life - not just.... to look pretty on the wall'' ....Brilliant!