Still have my '98 GT with 26" wheels, still 3x8, and it does fine. Doesn't get much used these days. Not because of age (neither the bikes nor mine), there just aren't many mtn.bike trails here compared to where we used to live. Mostly riding road now (didn't own a road bike prior moving).
Last edited by freeranger; 04-03-24 at 12:21 PM.