So dreamy! Every retro enthusiast needs to have a tricked out GT in their collection. I got hold of a 1997 Zaskar LE frame recently, not sure what route I will take for the build this has certainly given me some ideas, look forward to the first ride!
love zaskars, I had the same bike back in the day, til it was stolen from outside a country pub. I had a 14 mile walk home in cycling shoes. I bought another about a year later, they're great woods bikes.. enjoy it.
I am currently building a 1992 GT Bravado with a True Temper steel frame, which is great, I love the early GT's, especially the 1992 year models but I wouldn't say no to a 1991 GT either, their paint jobs then were great. Much nicer than the modern GT's, sadly. I did own a '93 GT Zaskar in ball burnished finish then, which was kitted out with combination of Shimano XT, Topline cranks with Pace chainrings, Pace RC35 forks, Onza brakes, U.S.E. handlebars and seatpost in green and some other nice parts including the Flite Titanium saddle of course. Great bike to ride and look at!
@@MonkeyShred I would be happy to work that out with Oliver if he's really interested. I know he would give it a good home. I believe it's his size as well.
Nice build! I'm considering rebuilding my Zaskar too, but I'd be replacing the components with modern stuff as much as I reasonably can. It's currently just a hodgepodge of the cheapest parts I could find that weren't complete junk (college budget at the time). I think rebuilding it with a Shimano SLX 1x12 groupset and a dropper would really bring it back to life!
U seem to be the right person to tell me whether or not its possible to exchange the standard BSA BB into something more contemporary like HTII or so...
Great frames, I have a 96 with LX M570 in blue groupset. I definitely need to polish and apply new decals after seeing yours. Lovely build, happy birthday.
I found a throwaway by my house the other day...a GT Polamar in amazing shape. Took me about 5 hours tp cleans.. It's a Hi-Ten(sile) steel frame. It's a tank indeed but real fun to ride. I want a aluminum GT mb frame in the future to build. I love wrenching. Nice Vid/bike 👍
Really enjoyable watch, loved these bikes back in the day but was always a Marin man. Just had my wife’s 94 Kona cinder cone restored and the Deore LX shifters work as well as the day we bought it, cheers man 👍🏻
How nice are mid school 90s GT welds. I have a 95 Tempest, in a factory purple / violet color. I love it.... It's at the bottom of the pecking order and it's not quite a Zaskar, but all 90's GT frames were top quality. So nice.
So freaking sweet my man! That polished aluminum and anodized blue combo has got to be my favorite of any bike color scheme. My dream daily rider bike would be something similar in titanium. Well done! Happy birthday to you Sir! 😎
I lived inJapan when those came out and I wanted one sooooo bad!!! Now I crave ital vega superlites but would still love to have the Zaskar. Dig ur build!!
A 6061 TITEC Big Al 5°rise, I bought that stem way... back...in 2001 for $91.00🍁 🤘🤘. I still have it, but it's not on any bike. I think the threads are stripped. That Hope Headset looks Great, too🤘🤘
Gorgeous build! I'm still a sucker for any bikes with M900 XTR parts. I'm currently building a 94 turquoise blue Zaskar as close to factory original as possible. These old 90s parts are so expensive!
Happy birthday, nice present to yourself! Although for me personally, the purple looks out of place, I understand how it happened, lucky you had one lying around in that size!
You are definitely an inspiration to your viewers, in my case, watching your videos rekindled my interest in working on my bikes. However it has cost me a small fortune on eBay...lol.
I have a GT Zaskar LE which I built many many years ago. Actually Decades Lol....Full Aluminium like yours, 20.5" Frame. Think its a 1996 (Since 4 four digits of frame are 0396) Running Full XT Only :-( Always wanted XTR. X-Lite Seat and Seat post, Pace RC36 Forks, Mavic Rims (Needs replacing) - Looking to sell. What are these going for today?
I have an old GT AGGRESSOR that's painted my plans for it is to strip it and polishe the frame I now it's going to be a long process but I hope it turns out as good as your when done.
Good choice for a birthday present to self. But I have two GTs so I am a bit biased I suppose. I think you will be happy with it. Waiting to see your riding impressions.
I remember when that bike was new! Lol I have a 1996 GT timberline with Manitou front suspension. just put a YD 100 Zeda 2 stroke motor on it!!! Its fookin sick!!!
The last set of cantilever brakes I bought were Shimano STX or STX-RC👍👍, way.... back...in 1998. I slightly upgraded to STX-RC v-brakes in 1999, then to LX in 2001; and since 2006 and 2007, I've been using 739 XT V-brake levers with 760 XT V-brakes🤘🤘 In a few months, these XT V-brakes will have Jegwire compressionless brake housing reinforced with Kevlar🤘🤘 "YEAH❗️"
Beautiful bike indeed, congrats! Used to have an Agressor 93' back in the day, it was tons of fun! - I recently bought the latest Avalanche Elite, good bike too.
I was inches away from buying a GT Zaskar back in the mid 90’s when they came out. For some reason I opted for a Jamis Exile instead. The Jamis is a fantastic bike and I still have it and ride it. But I do wish I would have bought the GT sometimes. I love the triple triangle frame design. Maybe I will start looking around and see if I can find a good used one? Enjoy.
They do crop up from time to time! I recently saw a complete 1991 Zaskar sell for £400... it seems the 94 like this one are a lot more expensive though (to build in pieces)
@@MonkeyShred i saw a 95 zaskar recently at a good price but at the same time i saw a bianchi nth special edition. I bought that, its really nice. Still want a zaskar though.
Gotta love a zaskar if you were around for 90s bikes it was THE hardtail I think everyone lusted after. At that time I only had outpost money.... So I got a claud butler (currently in my dad's garage next to one of the Sintesi frames) lol was going to have it polished to make it look like a gt. GT know how to make a polished frame, reminds me of my 98 gt performer bmx build. Nearly forgot happy birthday! How do you top your last two birthdays to me there's only one way Klein attitude but that's a biggie if not maybe a Specialized M2 in red or Cannondale Killer V900
Haha a Klein. Oh thats a BIG step up! They do make some really nice early bikes though! I have always been tempted by a top spec mid/late 90s Specialized though...
Love a Zaskar. Still bitter about mine getting stolen in the first few weeks of Uni back in ‘96! Chunky downtube version, Vector forks, Fir rims, Azonic, Middleburns, XT... sniff...
Is it easy to find individual chain rings new? I regularly ride my vintage bike and was wondering what happens when it comes time for a drive train overhaul. By the looks of it, the previous owner loved the bike well.
@@MonkeyShred I'm talking about rust left over from old components. Your new bearings are what I'm more concerned for, not the frame. It's just the professional way to clean it.
Nice work! Those vintage MTBs are soo....real? Kid's aluminium Merida of 2015 looks fake compared to these. Yesterday watched this video, then opened ads and snatched a wheelset on rims as yours, just hubs are LX's (w/ 7sp freewheel). Didn't think twice, rode 15km one direction to pick them up. I know 2" tires are considered too much for 17mm internal size of this rims but I guess they'll work just fine.
@@MonkeyShred They are new - not mounted, not ridden! Someone with many bikes built them for one of his bikes and sold it sooner than swapped wheels. So my Gary Fisher '94 will see update from Weinmann 519's laced to poorer hubs (abused, obviously). I like funny profile of rims which gave them name)
Nice build you did there, i have the same frame. I do my own builds as well but am having trouble finding the decals for the frame. Where did you say u got yours.?
Do you know where those derailleur hangers are available at? A part number would be awesome if you have it! I use an Avalanche right around this same year as my regular ride. I chose to run V-brakes and I rock an Avid Rollamajig on my XTR rear derailleur. I'm scared one day I will need a hanger and not have one. I want to buy two if I can find them.
Brought back so.many memories of the early days. Cool video!!!
So dreamy! Every retro enthusiast needs to have a tricked out GT in their collection. I got hold of a 1997 Zaskar LE frame recently, not sure what route I will take for the build this has certainly given me some ideas, look forward to the first ride!
Thanks! Good luck with your build!
love zaskars, I had the same bike back in the day, til it was stolen from outside a country pub. I had a 14 mile walk home in cycling shoes. I bought another about a year later, they're great woods bikes.. enjoy it.
I’ll be very wary when riding this! Although I’m not sure how many scallies will know the value of a Zaskar but you never know!
XTR M900 is indestructible, beautiful group. Great build, nice job
Thanks!
Beautiful birthday gift to yourself. Happy Birthday,mate!
Thanks!
I am currently building a 1992 GT Bravado with a True Temper steel frame, which is great, I love the early GT's, especially the 1992 year models but I wouldn't say no to a 1991 GT either, their paint jobs then were great. Much nicer than the modern GT's, sadly. I did own a '93 GT Zaskar in ball burnished finish then, which was kitted out with combination of Shimano XT, Topline cranks with Pace chainrings, Pace RC35 forks, Onza brakes, U.S.E. handlebars and seatpost in green and some other nice parts including the Flite Titanium saddle of course. Great bike to ride and look at!
Congrats on the Zaskar. Great bike. I have a 95 LE. And a 91 that could probably go to a new home. Thay are still amazing bikes after 30 years.
Oliver aka Red__Dread is after an early Zaskar ;) I’ve seen your 95 and I saw your guess on the bike on IG! So very close!
@@MonkeyShred I would be happy to work that out with Oliver if he's really interested. I know he would give it a good home. I believe it's his size as well.
Last week; your best ever ATB build. This week; your best ever ATB build! Happy birthday to us indeed. Enjoy the fruit of your Labours MS 10/10.
Haha thanks! Next weeks is going to be an absolute beauty too!
Wow, you are going all high-end on us now...
😂 Don’t get used to it! My wallet couldn’t cope with this build regularly and I’d need millions of views on the video to make it worth while!
@@MonkeyShred let me know if you ever need a XT front mech, 28.6 band on, top pull. Free to a good home...
I built my Zaskar up from the 20th anniversary model 2006. Was very pleased with the result.
Nice build!
I'm considering rebuilding my Zaskar too, but I'd be replacing the components with modern stuff as much as I reasonably can. It's currently just a hodgepodge of the cheapest parts I could find that weren't complete junk (college budget at the time). I think rebuilding it with a Shimano SLX 1x12 groupset and a dropper would really bring it back to life!
U seem to be the right person to tell me whether or not its possible to exchange the standard BSA BB into something more contemporary like HTII or so...
Beautiful GT,I just got done polishing my 98’ GT Backwoods aluminum frame.
Well worth the time isn’t it?!
@@MonkeyShred Yes sir!
Gotta love Shimano XTR M900 on a '94 GT. Love the Hope accents to boot! Good work mate and Happy Birthday! 👏👍💯
Thanks!
Great frames, I have a 96 with LX M570 in blue groupset. I definitely need to polish and apply new decals after seeing yours. Lovely build, happy birthday.
Thanks! Grab the polish!
I found a throwaway by my house the other day...a GT Polamar in amazing shape. Took me about 5 hours tp cleans.. It's a Hi-Ten(sile) steel frame. It's a tank indeed but real fun to ride. I want a aluminum GT mb frame in the future to build. I love wrenching.
Nice Vid/bike 👍
Really enjoyable watch, loved these bikes back in the day but was always a Marin man. Just had my wife’s 94 Kona cinder cone restored and the Deore LX shifters work as well as the day we bought it, cheers man 👍🏻
94 LX will be the black set right? One of the best looking groups!
Love the aesthetics on this bike with blue details. A great build Happy Birthday!!
Thanks a bunch!
Great! ...one of the best restylin i've ever seen. Excelent work!
Thank you!
How nice are mid school 90s GT welds. I have a 95 Tempest, in a factory purple / violet color. I love it.... It's at the bottom of the pecking order and it's not quite a Zaskar, but all 90's GT frames were top quality. So nice.
That is a awesome bike i hope you keep it for life 👏👍 well done
Thanks. I've changed it around a little bit since so it's a bit more special now :)
Happy birthday big Dogg!
Thanks!
So freaking sweet my man! That polished aluminum and anodized blue combo has got to be my favorite of any bike color scheme. My dream daily rider bike would be something similar in titanium. Well done! Happy birthday to you Sir! 😎
Thanks! Maybe I'll have to look for a Ti bike next year!
@@MonkeyShred Xixang next then :)
I agree, I'd love to see a Gary Fisher Mt Tam rebuild, I think they were polished aluminum in 1997!
15:00 that butter!
Smooth!
I lived inJapan when those came out and I wanted one sooooo bad!!! Now I crave ital vega superlites but would still love to have the Zaskar. Dig ur build!!
Thanks friend!
How much was they when they first come out?
@@scouseshamrock2513 gosh 92' I want to say at the navy exchange they were like 900 bucks
A 6061 TITEC Big Al 5°rise, I bought that stem way... back...in 2001 for $91.00🍁
🤘🤘. I still have it, but it's not on any bike. I think the threads are stripped. That Hope Headset looks Great, too🤘🤘
Lovely. Very beautiful Build. And setup.
Thanks!
The Hope bits - triple thumbs up 👍 👍👍
It's not got Ringle and X-Lite too :)
I had the GT ZASKAR anodized blue and was an awesome bike. Wish I kept it!
You could always look for another now ;)
Me encantan las retrobike de los 90s poseo 2 zaskar una del 93 y una le 97 en restauración es una gran pasión adelante congratulaciones x zaskar le!!
Wow the builds just keep getting better! This one looks brand new enjoy it and happy Bday Cheers
Just wait for the polish on the next build. Yikes!
that hope seatpost clamp and headset are beautiful
Aren't they just!
absolutely love these old GTs. Some years ago I picked up a 1995 GT MTB, forest green. I'm a little surprised you didn't stick a 1x on there.
Oohh no, I like to reserve the 1x for less desirable models. XTR was the right way to go here!
Happy birthday beautiful build
Thank you!
Gorgeous build! I'm still a sucker for any bikes with M900 XTR parts. I'm currently building a 94 turquoise blue Zaskar as close to factory original as possible. These old 90s parts are so expensive!
You're telling me! I was looking at close to £1000 if I'd pieced that XTR group together seperately! I was fortunate to find a cheap complete group!
She's lovely have fun dude
Oh I will do! Thanks.
Happy Birthday Matey! 🎉🎂🎈🎁What a perfect birthday building the Holy grail! One on my list to own! Hope you had a fab day! Zaskar...... 😍😍
Thanks!
Happy birthday, nice present to yourself!
Although for me personally, the purple looks out of place, I understand how it happened, lucky you had one lying around in that size!
Oh I know. I’ll be on the lookout for something more I keeping with the theme!
You are definitely an inspiration to your viewers, in my case, watching your videos rekindled my interest in working on my bikes. However it has cost me a small fortune on eBay...lol.
Thanks! Apologies to your wallet though!
I have a GT Zaskar LE which I built many many years ago. Actually Decades Lol....Full Aluminium like yours, 20.5" Frame. Think its a 1996 (Since 4 four digits of frame are 0396) Running Full XT Only :-( Always wanted XTR. X-Lite Seat and Seat post, Pace RC36 Forks, Mavic Rims (Needs replacing) - Looking to sell. What are these going for today?
Looks great! Love how you stuff modern width tires into these old frames. I bet it will handle great on some single track!
Hoping it will! I'd like the weather to be a bit drier to test this one out though....
Funny I stumbled upon this video, my birthday is next week and I’m looking at buying the 2022 for myself 🙌
I have an old GT AGGRESSOR that's painted my plans for it is to strip it and polishe the frame I now it's going to be a long process but I hope it turns out as good as your when done.
Good luck! That's a lot of polishing.
That old school is wicked! 🤘🚲
*chef's kiss*
Simply a gem .....happy birthday 👍👽
Cheers!
Congratulations, it's very beautiful, I have a GT Zaskar comp 2010
Thanks!
Good choice for a birthday present to self. But I have two GTs so I am a bit biased I suppose. I think you will be happy with it. Waiting to see your riding impressions.
Thanks! Just waiting for a dry day...but May seems to be washout at the moment!
Really like it. My mate had one in the 90s but it was blue with Rock Shox forks. Yours is nicer.
Thanks! 🤓
I remember when that bike was new! Lol
I have a 1996 GT timberline with Manitou front suspension.
just put a YD 100 Zeda 2 stroke motor on it!!! Its fookin sick!!!
Oh nice. Might try one of those conversion on another bike some day.
Beautiful groupset, I always wanted it back in the day when it first came out, I had a combination of Deore DX and XT on a nice DB steel frame
Lovely bike! Happy birthday!!
Thank you!
The last set of cantilever brakes I bought were Shimano STX or STX-RC👍👍, way.... back...in 1998. I slightly upgraded to STX-RC v-brakes in 1999, then to LX in 2001; and since 2006 and 2007, I've been using 739 XT V-brake levers with 760 XT V-brakes🤘🤘 In a few months, these XT V-brakes will have Jegwire compressionless brake housing reinforced with Kevlar🤘🤘 "YEAH❗️"
only adult bike i've ever had is a 99 gt. haven't yet figured out the model (my dad had it refinished) but i love that thing
My 1998 avalanche Le is close. First of the 6061 Avy's. I have a swell black 99 Zaskar as well.
Beautiful bike indeed, congrats! Used to have an Agressor 93' back in the day, it was tons of fun! - I recently bought the latest Avalanche Elite, good bike too.
Qué linda bici¡¡...tremendo regalo,un sueño esas Gt..
¡Espero disfrutar del viaje!
Beautiful bike 😍
Thanks!
This one is really beautiful
Thanks!
Very rare bike GT good job👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks! 👍
Happy Birthday mate! Great job, GT looks awesome. Hope Torvi made you a cake :)
Thanks! No cake from Torvi unfortunately... not even a new mouse!
I love it. My Zaskar is a few years newer .
Happy birthday bro so nice. Like a piece of jewelry 😎
Ooo piece of jewellery. I like that!
This chrome GT is really hard to find now. Xith XTR groupset, it's a Bonus! Happy Birthday 🎂
Thanks!
I was inches away from buying a GT Zaskar back in the mid 90’s when they came out. For some reason I opted for a Jamis Exile instead. The Jamis is a fantastic bike and I still have it and ride it. But I do wish I would have bought the GT sometimes. I love the triple triangle frame design. Maybe I will start looking around and see if I can find a good used one? Enjoy.
I have a 2014 model, they are not alike. I so desire one of these.
They do crop up from time to time! I recently saw a complete 1991 Zaskar sell for £400... it seems the 94 like this one are a lot more expensive though (to build in pieces)
@@MonkeyShred i saw a 95 zaskar recently at a good price but at the same time i saw a bianchi nth special edition. I bought that, its really nice. Still want a zaskar though.
Gotta love a zaskar if you were around for 90s bikes it was THE hardtail I think everyone lusted after. At that time I only had outpost money.... So I got a claud butler (currently in my dad's garage next to one of the Sintesi frames) lol was going to have it polished to make it look like a gt.
GT know how to make a polished frame, reminds me of my 98 gt performer bmx build.
Nearly forgot happy birthday! How do you top your last two birthdays to me there's only one way Klein attitude but that's a biggie if not maybe a Specialized M2 in red or Cannondale Killer V900
Haha a Klein. Oh thats a BIG step up! They do make some really nice early bikes though! I have always been tempted by a top spec mid/late 90s Specialized though...
@@MonkeyShred I've always wanted one like Jason Mcroy 95 m2 gorgeous bike. Kleins are huge money may have to wait till its a special birthday.
Awesome gift to yourself!
You have to treat yourself every now and then right?
Beautiful machine.
Thanks!
Great machine, great job.
Cheers
Thanks!
Love a Zaskar. Still bitter about mine getting stolen in the first few weeks of Uni back in ‘96! Chunky downtube version, Vector forks, Fir rims, Azonic, Middleburns, XT... sniff...
Oh ouch! I hope karma worked on that thief...
@@MonkeyShred Likewise!
TITEC 118s, those look like👍👍
Shiny. I hope that it is a goor ride for you.
Oh it is! Thanks!
Another great build mate.
Thanks!
Bars used was KORE, bar ends was ONZA. TIOGA was also there. Seat post was GT AllTerra.🎉
Not on this one.
XTR...... well done!
I now understand the love of XTR!
wow the shifters worked on the first try!!!!
They felt so smooth too. Not bad for almost 30 years of use!
Wonderful!
Thanks!
Happy birthday
Thanks!
Nice build! Make sure the cranks are tight enough on tho', shimano manual calls for 35-49Nm and it didn't seem anywhere near that on the video.
I'll double check!
Ok, great looking bike, but why did you put srirracha on your freehub body 🤔
Ah you’re right. It’s tasty enough!
Un clásico, hermosa bici
This brings back so many Hans Rey memories.
Original and best.
They got it so right so long ago?
I wish I had a fraction of the bike control that Hans has!
Long live GT BIKES!
They do have some pretty nice bikes!
Looks sick! Were you not able to source a seatpost with a blue seat clamp part?
That was just a temporary post. It now has a matching black ControlTech post.
Why build it to 1994 spec? It would be awesome with a modern groupset.
Because XTR M900 works amazingly well and the value of an original bike FAR outweighs one that has been modernised
Is it easy to find individual chain rings new? I regularly ride my vintage bike and was wondering what happens when it comes time for a drive train overhaul. By the looks of it, the previous owner loved the bike well.
You're getting pretty good at those tire mounts. Happy birthday!
Thanks! I wonder if I could spin the tyre on....
Nice bike always fancied doing up a retro GT or similar great vid 👍🏻
Thanks!
GT. Tremenda MAQUINA
Cool. You should always get rid of any rust inside the headtube though.
Rust... on an aluminium frame?
@@MonkeyShred Yes, you know, the orange stuff inside the headtube...
@@jase6709 Aluminium doesn't rust my dude.
@@MonkeyShred I'm talking about rust left over from old components. Your new bearings are what I'm more concerned for, not the frame. It's just the professional way to clean it.
Great vids. Do you sell the bikes on afterwards? If so, where can I find them? Cheers!!
Wow, beautifull 🤤
Nice work! Those vintage MTBs are soo....real? Kid's aluminium Merida of 2015 looks fake compared to these.
Yesterday watched this video, then opened ads and snatched a wheelset on rims as yours, just hubs are LX's (w/ 7sp freewheel). Didn't think twice, rode 15km one direction to pick them up. I know 2" tires are considered too much for 17mm internal size of this rims but I guess they'll work just fine.
Thanks. Impressed you managed to find a wheelset with those Frog rims. Good find!
@@MonkeyShred They are new - not mounted, not ridden! Someone with many bikes built them for one of his bikes and sold it sooner than swapped wheels. So my Gary Fisher '94 will see update from Weinmann 519's laced to poorer hubs (abused, obviously). I like funny profile of rims which gave them name)
Nice build you did there, i have the same frame. I do my own builds as well but am having trouble finding the decals for the frame. Where did you say u got yours.?
Amazing!!
One question, why do you prefer cantelivers to V brakes?
I like to keep (most) bikes original and with some good pads and the right setup I love them. I think they look cleaner than V brakes too!
@@MonkeyShred gotcha
HERMOSA!!!👍
Where did you get the decals from? You make or buy? I need a seat stay competition series decal
What was the completed bike’s weight?
What was the total weight of your bike after it was done?
Do you know where those derailleur hangers are available at? A part number would be awesome if you have it!
I use an Avalanche right around this same year as my regular ride. I chose to run V-brakes and I rock an Avid Rollamajig on my XTR rear derailleur.
I'm scared one day I will need a hanger and not have one. I want to buy two if I can find them.
I don’t know a direct place no. I’ve just had to search Google or eBay before and try and match the design for other bikes
Cual para ustedes seria la Shelby 68 de las bicicletas?