LoriRose

I'm looking for a rigid steel 90s mtb to use for a touring bike. I plan on rebuilding, repainting etc. to make it my own.

vélo de montagne LOOK | de montagne | Laval / Rive-Nord | Kijiji

Any thoughts on this one?

mstateglfr 

Looks like entry components? Can't totally tell with the pics, but my guess is based on the Altus10 rear derailleur.

There is only 1 set of mounts on the rear dropouts for mounting a rack or fender. If mounting a rack, you will need pclamps or a seat post connector for the top of the rack. Not convenient as dedicated rack mounting holes, but not a huge issue.

If it fits well and you like it as a base for building something up, perfect. Seems expensive to me, but I'm in a different market.

IdahoTrollGuy

Does it have eyelets for installing a rack? Preferably front and back? All the 80s MTB did, but that started to change in the 90s. Can't tell from the pic. I like the look. I just built up an old Puegeot Canyon Express '84 into an awesome touring bike, complete with fatty Surly ExtraTerrestrials. THe bike cost $160. Love it. Actually, then $120 for the tires. So $280. Oh, then I added a new Brooks saddle. So $530. Now I need a rack... This cheap bike is starting to cost real money!

oddjob2

Around $100-$120 us is fine for a Look. I wouldn't repaint it, it looks good and a repaint would kill the value of the bike.

bikemig 

Look certainly doesn't ring any bells for me when it comes to the mtb market but they weren't known for selling cheap bikes.

This thread suggests that the bike you are looking at may be quite a good quality (although the parts clearly belong on a low end mtb):

1990-92 Look Mi60 | Retrobike

Bikes run more in Canada than the US; this price is high for the US given the component level. Certainly the bike is suitable for touring and it looks very clean. Rigid mtbs make good all around bikes. You'll want to swap out the knobby tires for slicks and probably change out the handlebars to trekking bars like this,

Dimension Trekking Bar 25.4mm Black

This will give you more hand positions and it is an easy swap since your shifters and brake levers will fit on this.

Have fun.

jetboy 

yeah i'd buy that in a second if it were my size, but I am a fan of Look. Heck, if it were my size i'd be trying to find someone to facilitate some shipping right now. second the don't paint it - that is most the value of it and a repaint will never last or look as good as the original.

if you are going to repaint and modify the bike, i'd go with something less rare and leave that one to someone who really wants a Look mtb. There are many good retro mtb from the era:

here is a thread I started and got lots of good info before buying mine:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-sleepers.html

LoriRose

Thanks for the advice. I don't really like the colour of the bike, or the decals. I'd facilitate shipping for you if you really want it though!

jetboy 

I am 6'2" and a bit so M size is not for me unfortunately. the color and decals are la vie claire - with Hinault and Lemond and Fignon - combined winning the tour de france like 10 times (not always with lavie claire but..). so the colors alone have meaning and history, and also $ value so its not a smart move to change them. better to change something with less history!

the art and colors are based on Piet Mondrian's work:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_Mondrian

LoriRose

Very interesting! Thanks. I think I'll pass though and let someone who will appreciate its history have a chance at it.

Clang

You're not missing out on much. This was a low-end bike.



The color and decals are the only things going for it. And the brand too. We don't see many Looks here in the states.

LoriRose

what about this schwinn??

SCHWINN IMPACT bike. | mountain | St. Catharines | Kijiji

oddjob2

Perfectly serviceable frame with low grade components and double rear eyelets, but again no mounts under the seat stays for the rack, As per post 2 above.

Also, if you're adding drop bars, your frame size goes up. This thread is helpful.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...nversions.html

Clang

I think it does have rack eyelets, but the ad pics were too small to tell.

Here's some other 1991's



catalog page here

Schwinn catalogs, 1991 - 2000 (7 of 577)

specs here:
Schwinn catalogs, 1991 - 2000 (18 of 577)

LoriRose

I think it does too, but I had my father go check it out and it had quite a bit of rust, so I passed. I've been able to score two nice old mtbs so far by being patient and picky so I guess I'll just have to keep looking until I get lucky again. Stay tuned for more posts! And thanks for the advice guys - very helpful.

LoriRose

Norco Pinnacle?

Velo de montagne NORCO Pinnacle - | de montagne | Laval / Rive-Nord | Kijiji

oddjob2

Looks overpriced to me, with a nutted rear axle and a weathered appearance. Rims look really dirty or rusted.

oddjob2

What size are you looking for or what is your height?

LoriRose

I'm almost 5'8". Looking for 18" ideally. The norco is 19".

LoriRose

Norco was in rough shape. The search continues...

Vélo blanc

I don't know if this is a mtb bike but it has an ideal frame (I think ?).

oddjob2

As it is repainted, you can bet this bike was in rough shape at one time too.

LoriRose

Found out it's a raleigh. Going to see it this evening. There's so much crap out there right now. How can you tell it has been repainted?

mstateglfr 

If a bike is 20-40 years old and has like new looking paint...chances are its been repainted.
If there are no decals or if the decals look new...chances are its been repainted.
Professional powdercoating is a really strong covering and can be a benefit. Professional wet paint(traditional) is going to look incredible and cost a good bit. Home done spray paint will typically be inconsistent in evenness, have a drop streak or two, pool at the bottom bracket a bit, and not be nearly as durable as powdercoating.

LoriRose

Alright, so this one is clearly in better condition, and I like the colour...

Vélo trek 830 route/hybride/montagne | de route | Ville de Montréal | Kijiji

Am I getting closer? Please tell me I'm getting closer.

oddjob2

Mid 1990's Trek 830 is a decent nukeproof frame. Paint looks good and asking price is FMV, about $110 US.
The components are a bit cheesy as I think it is mostly Shimano Altus or Alivio, but I think you were planning a full rebuild anyway, so existing components are moot.

If you want to pull the trigger now, go buy it. Otherwise a Trek 850, 930, 950, or 970 will come with more robust components and rims, but they are much harder to find.

mstateglfr 

Its a 94, 95, or 96 model. Cant tell which from the few pics listed.

If it fits, it could be a good starting point for a mountain bike geometry touring frame.
Looks like there are at least eyelets on the rear to mount a rack.