'91 GT Avalanche

matt@theforce

'91 GT Avalanche

I picked this up a couple of days ago after wanting one since I was 13. Apart from the tyres/bar ends its all original.

Frame : 18" GT Triple Triangle, Tange Prestige & MTB Seamless Double Butted Tubing
Fork : GT/Spinner "2x4" With Cold Forge Adjustable Drop Outs
Rims : Ritchey Vantage Comp 26x1.5
Hubs/Skewers : Shimano Deore DX/Shimano Deore XT
Chain : Shimano Deore XT STI
Front/Rear Mech : Shimano Deore DX STI
Shifters : Shimano ST-M092 Deore XT STI Rapid-Fire 7 Speed
Freewheel : Shimano Deore DX Hyperglyde Cassette 12-28t 7 Speed
Handlebar/Stem : GT Duraluminium Superlight Alloy/GT All Terra Flip Flop Stem
Chainset : Shimano Deore DX STI SuperGlide46/36/24t
Bottom Bracket : Hatta Sealed Mech
Headset : Tioga 1 1/8 Oversize Chromolly, Triple Sealed mech with GT Alloy Locknut
Saddle : GT All Terra Competition Leather
Seat Post/Clamp : GT All Terra Heat Treated Alloy/GT Alloy QR Black Anodised Lever
Brakes : Shimano Deore DX SLR Low profile Front Cantilever & Rear U-Brake with Flex-Guard
Brake Levers : Shimano ST-M092 Deore XT 2-Finger with Cam Breaking Action










There is some rust on the Frame, all the components will be removed/stripped/cleaned to get them working 100%.

I need to work out what todo about the rust on the frame, Ideally I think it needs to be stripped and re-painted but I think getting replacement graphics will be a problem.

Matthew

Anonymous

Proper old Skool retro,
As for respray Argos think there located in Bristol way are recommended for there work.

Tintin rize

Its 8)

matt@theforce

Not had much time on it so far but have managed to remove most parts and give the frame/fork a good wash/clean using Hope Sh1t Shifter











And the worst bits but looks better than expected now its been washed



Also gave the wheels a quick clean today and removed the Kenda tyres which were badly cracked & fitted some Schwalbe Black Jacks which I had lying around in the garage



I had a good look at the cassette and chainset rings today and I think they will need replacing.
Not being a fan of Chrome I'm toying with the idea of changing to 3x9 and replacing all chrome components with Black. (Thoughts?)

Matthew

leaflite

As its a retro build, I would try and keep it as original as possible.

matt@theforce

I decided to fit everything back on the bike and have a few rides to see what, if anything needed to be changed.

I also had another session on cleaning the rust & is currently like below, much better than when I got it but far from perfect.


Once I'd had enough of scrubbing, I washed/dried the frame/forks again and then treated it to x2 coats of AutoGlym SRP & a couple of coats of AutoGlym EG to try and protect the frame a little and now it gleams 8)

How it currently is now I've put it back together

Quick ride on the Trans Pennine Trail heading towards Dunford Bridge




Over looking Langsett Resevour & the Peak District



Very Happy with it so far although there are a few little niggles to sort out.

To Sort
* The front wheel bearings need attention, there is a grinding feel when the wheel turns and there is sidewards play too
* The front mech shift up 1 chainring at a time however it will only shift down to the granny ring (not stop on the middle ring)
* New rear u-brake plate needed
* Handlebars creak when riding. Can't see any cracks on them

I'm still tempted togo 9sp as I have a set of shifters/cassette so wouldn't need to buy much and it will solve my front shifting problem

Matthew

Psychotext

Looking great. I'm amazed the bike was in such good condition generally.

matt@theforce

To be fair, the older steel bikes seem to have stood upto time quite well, especially when they're a little grubby and kept in a garage/shed.

This is my 2nd early 90's bike and this one is in worse condition than my previous one but this one is fantastic to ride

Matthew

The Rookie

I have a 97 Gary Fisher in similar condition.....

Keep it original, or at least to period PLEASE.....if you're going to go modern you may as well have the paint stripped and anything put on, like you I have used car polish over the rusty bits and it seems to work, I used a waxoyl like stuff from an aerosol inside the frame.

matt@theforce

The Beginner wrote:

I have a 97 Gary Fisher in similar condition.....

Keep it original, or at least to period PLEASE.....if you're going to go modern you may as well have the paint stripped and anything put on, like you I have used car polish over the rusty bits and it seems to work, I used a waxoyl like stuff from an aerosol inside the frame.

I'm going to get some Brake Dust cleaner and try that in the shifter to see if that helps clear the problem, failing that I will probably try and get another of the same shifters (just got some o/t so don't mind blowing it on the bike )

Matthew

Zziplex

Rust adds character, looks lovely, I've always wanted a Tequila Sunrise Karakoram. Just got hold of one my first ever Mountainbikes, a 1993 Kona Cindercone all original apart from grips. Best paint scheme ever on a bike too.

Dave_P1

Great looking old skool GT!!

Garett

We have a slightly newer version of this bike with practically the same paint job sat in our shed gathering dust. It's a 16" frame iirc so it's a bit small for me. Didn't realise they were sought after but that looks like a good bike!

matt@theforce

Zziplex wrote:

Rust adds character, looks lovely, I've always wanted a Tequila Sunrise Karakoram. Just got hold of one my first ever Mountainbikes, a 1993 Kona Cindercone all original apart from grips. Best paint scheme ever on a bike too.

Its great being able togo back and re-live your youth , the paint scheme on the Karakoram's are just to wild for my taste but still stunning bikes though

Dave_P1 wrote:

Great looking old skool GT!!

Thank You

Garett wrote:

We have a slightly newer version of this bike with practically the same paint job sat in our shed gathering dust. It's a 16" frame iirc so it's a bit small for me. Didn't realise they were sought after but that looks like a good bike!

They've very sought after, I would have much prefered a 16" Avalanche but they are like rocking horse poo. Get it cleaned off and get using it, it's a great feeling getting out and riding something different

I've had a few days off work and managed to spend a little more time on this.

The Front XT Shifter now works perfectly , sprayed some Hope Sh1t Shifter inside the mech, blasted it out with water then compressed air to get rid of most of the water & left it to dry on the radiator then lubed the inside with some Finish Line Ceramic lube, lovely and smooth with quick shifting.

Had a nice ride on it after getting the front mech working and thought the BB was then failing due to the amount of squeaking it was making and it was getting worse under load thankfully I worked out it was because it was raining and the sides of my trainers were rubbing on the crank arm :roll:

I still have a creak coming from my handlebar, only creaks if my left hand is on the bar though, guessing it might have had a knock at some point and maybe its a little weaker? Am going to try moving it around as my wrists do ache a little on it currently.

Matthew

hopper1

I still have a Giant Track!... the very first MTB I raced. My son uses it to go to football training on. It's still running all the same kit from 16+ years ago, even the very narrow flat bars & purple anodised odds n sods. XT thumb shifters are still spot on, as are the original SPD's on it :shock:
Might have to wrestle it from him...

EDIT: Just worked out, it's 21 years old... Must buy it a key to the door!

matt@theforce

Another little change. I don't like silver/chrome and as the original skewers were silver and had bits of rust I thought I'd change them




Matthew