Retro MTB Tribe

[bychosis]

End of the day, there probably isn’t much difference between the frames - pick the one you like the colour of or that fits you best. Pick the best group set either by hierarchy or condition. Most of the parts should be interchangeable so just choose by condition or looks. Repack bearings, replace the rubber, brake pads and cables with new.

[10speedsemiracer]

Hi guys, I have a shogun trailbreaker 3, trailbreaker SP and Avanti lightning that I am looking at doing up a bit, any recommendations on where to start/ what to add/ replace? Also I was going to take a couple of parts from each for e.g one has a buckled wheel so probably only keep 1 or two, which would be the best ones to keep?

I would start with the Trailbreaker 3 as the better of the 3 bikes on offer, which would most likely be a better grade of Tange tubing, and then probably the SP (but I'm a Shogun fan..)

[alexhunter123711]

Came across a GT outpost for sale $100, any ideas if that's an ok price to pay?

[bychosis]

Came across a GT outpost for sale $100, any ideas if that's an ok price to pay?

An outpost is a low end, but quality bike. I think it was entry level if memory serves.

IMO $100 is a fair price for a functioning bike in good condition, but you could also find a higher spec model for the same price with some luck - highly dependent on age of course. I’d happily have a 90s GT for $100 if the fleet had a spare slot.

[Stovepipe]

I've got an old Shogun trailbreaker circa 1996 I'd like to build up. Anyone know what the max tire size they fit are? Dont want to start ordered wrong parts...

[bychosis]

Probably had 1.95 when new. Maybe tart with a 2.1.

[chriso_29er]

I had a Trailbreaker 2 from around then. I remember putting on a chunky 2.0 mud tyre that ended up rubbing on the chain stays. Not a lot of clearance down there.

[bychosis]

Picked up a ratty trek y-22 during the week. Couldn’t resist for a two digit price.

[MichaelB]

What’s the age cutoff to be “retro” ?

[ldrcycles]

It used to be 2000, but soon it'll be anything with more than 2 chainrings

2000-ish sounds about right to me.

[10speedsemiracer]

Agree with pre-2000 which seems to be the threshold on forums etc elsewhere (Reddit etc)

[bychosis]

Phew. The Trek makes it into retro being 97. Forks are shot, tastefully spray bombed. Magic SUP front rim and a boot on unknown 7spd rear. Appears forks, levers, grip shift, derailleurs are original spec. Rear derailleur is a Grip Shift ESP 9 carbon composite.



So far I’ve disassembled and removed some of the overspray.

[MichaelB]

It used to be 2000, but soon it'll be anything with more than 2 chainrings

2000-ish sounds about right to me.

OK, have about 12 years to wait

[singlespeedscott]

To me it’s anything pre suspension and v-brakes. But I’ve been riding them for 30 plus years

[frog]

Pug Update:

[singlespeedscott]

Love the Maguras on the Kings Canyon. I used to own a Kings Canyon. It was a bit small for me unfortunately

[jbchybridrider]

89 Sakae Litage

[Olderfart]

That last bike is pure art.
Just read this thread from 1st to last, interesting stuff in here. Last post in 2020, what's goen on? People stopped playing around with these old bikes?
Seems some people spend a lot on these old machines, most have spent a lot more than what my first car cost. Admittedly that's not much. A lot of folks spend more for a modern mountain/downhill/XC/ATB than what my current car is worth. Depends on your priorities and income I suppose.
So why no more posts since 2020?

[HappyHumber]

So why no more posts since 2020?

I think its a sort dichotomy between the serious bike builders and restorers sticking to their hobby rather than worrying about keeping up with the likes of the more edgy and currently popular forums like FB and reddit etc.

BNA is kinda only really surviving on life support these days. It is still a great mine of info if you are able to do some basic google-fu, patient and willing to read through a lotta crap.

[Duck!]

It used to be 2000, but soon it'll be anything with more than 2 chainrings

2000-ish sounds about right to me.

My 2012-vintage bikes are both 3x, so I guess that classifies as "Retro" now!

[familyguy]

Time to join?



Picked up (literally a drive-by kerbside opportunistic pick up) 1998-1999 Avanti Aggressor with early XT 4-pot hydros and LX/XT mix. Fork is likely cactus though.

It even fits the 700c wheelset I found attached to another bike at the same time and grabbed only because I couldn't fit 3 bikes in the car at the same time.