1995 (?) GT Timberline
02-09-20, 12:56 PM
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1995 (?) GT Timberline
Howdy folks. My quest for a cheap used hardtail mountain bike continues. I'm looking for something to take on singltrack that can handle rocks/roots/downhills. No plans on jumps, drops, ramps or anything like that. Been chatting on Facebook Marketplace with a guy selling a 90's era GT Timberline in my size with a RockShox front fork. See picture below. He's asking $110. So I guess my questions would be a) does this bike look suitable for my intended purpose and b) is $100-ish a decent price? Thanks all for you help as usual.
02-09-20, 01:48 PM
#2
Banned.
If everything on bicycle is working properly I’d give maybe 90 to 100 for it
but check on bicycle blue book to get a better answer
but check on bicycle blue book to get a better answer
02-09-20, 01:54 PM
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Yeah, I was thinking at starting at $80. Any idea if it"s a decent bike for trails? I know older GTs are much better than today's big box GTs but I'm not sure when the drop in quality started...
02-09-20, 05:01 PM
#4
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For fire or gravel roads it would be fine. For moderate+ singletrack, there has been a lot of advancement with modern mountain bikes and you'd be best suited looking for a good quality modern one.
The shock will likely need to be serviced and finding parts for old suspension can be difficult and expensive.
The shock will likely need to be serviced and finding parts for old suspension can be difficult and expensive.
02-09-20, 05:10 PM
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Always check first if the fork is good. People selling older mtb's of this era mostly don't care about maintenance.If it has elastomers, chances are they're rockhard. If it's dead, I'd pass. Like Katsup said, it's good for gravel. Anything beyond that, I'd look for a more modern bike.
02-09-20, 05:15 PM
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For fire or gravel roads it would be fine. For moderate+ singletrack, there has been a lot of advancement with modern mountain bikes and you'd be best suited looking for a good quality modern one.
The shock will likely need to be serviced and finding parts for old suspension can be difficult and expensive.
The shock will likely need to be serviced and finding parts for old suspension can be difficult and expensive.
I've been sorely tempted to get a restock Motobecane from Bike Island's website even though its $100+ over my limit. It's $60 off the Bikes Direct price due to cosmetic issues, which for a MTB I wouldn't care about:
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_...ls&ProdID=2552
02-09-20, 05:16 PM
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Always check first if the fork is good. People selling older mtb's of this era mostly don't care about maintenance.If it has elastomers, chances are they're rockhard. If it's dead, I'd pass. Like Katsup said, it's good for gravel. Anything beyond that, I'd look for a more modern bike.
02-09-20, 06:50 PM
#8
Banned.
Just push the shock down and check the rebound back to its original condition. Should smoothly rebound back to normal height.
You can use this bike on trails. It will make you a good rider. Older bike though it may nickel and dime you a bit. Learn how to maintain it and enjoy it 👍
You can use this bike on trails. It will make you a good rider. Older bike though it may nickel and dime you a bit. Learn how to maintain it and enjoy it 👍
02-09-20, 07:05 PM
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Just push the shock down and check the rebound back to its original condition. Should smoothly rebound back to normal height.
You can use this bike on trails. It will make you a good rider. Older bike though it may nickel and dime you a bit. Learn how to maintain it and enjoy it 👍
You can use this bike on trails. It will make you a good rider. Older bike though it may nickel and dime you a bit. Learn how to maintain it and enjoy it 👍
02-09-20, 07:18 PM
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Ha! Now a nicer looking GT MTB showed up in my Facebook feed for just $100, a 2000 Outpost. Should I check this one out too? Has a 20-inch frame which I think might be too big for me, I'm 5'10".
02-10-20, 10:57 AM
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02-10-20, 12:31 PM
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Banned.
02-10-20, 12:55 PM
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Ya know, that gives me an idea. Googling the two I couldn’t determine which was the overall better bike but the Outpost is definitely newer, cleaner and less used looking, with better tires. If the Outpost fits me I could buy both, swap the Outpost’s RST fork (which the internet tells me is crap) for the Timberline’s RockShox and vice versa (as well as any other components worth switching), clean up the Timberline and sell it with the inferior fork. Whaddaya think?
02-10-20, 01:03 PM
#15
WV is not flat..
Like everyone has said, an older bike will probably need rebuilt with cables, housings, brakes and the shock of course, but these bikes are solid and work well on light duty trails and single track. I have this one and and it is super fun to ride. My son has been using it at college the last couple years.
02-10-20, 01:12 PM
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Like everyone has said, an older bike will probably need rebuilt with cables, housings, brakes and the shock of course, but these bikes are solid and work well on light duty trails and single track. I have this one and and it is super fun to ride. My son has been using it at college the last couple years.
02-10-20, 01:43 PM
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I'm riding an older mid-90;s GT and enjoying it. However, all that's left of the orig is the frame, as I broke the orig, and when GT replaced it, started buying diff and better parts as I found them on sale, or slightly used. It doesn't sound like your budget will fit the amount of upgrades that you might find yourself wanting to do. You may want to keep an eye out for a reasonably priced used mtn.bike that you won't find yourself needing to upgrade right away. On the GT shown, I'd have to say the weakest point would be the elastomer fork, even before I got a completely diff fork, I ditched the elastomers and replaced with coil springs (don't know if the springs would still be avail for that fork now)-the switch made it more compliant, but still left much to be desired.
02-10-20, 01:53 PM
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I'm riding an older mid-90;s GT and enjoying it. However, all that's left of the orig is the frame, as I broke the orig, and when GT replaced it, started buying diff and better parts as I found them on sale, or slightly used. It doesn't sound like your budget will fit the amount of upgrades that you might find yourself wanting to do. You may want to keep an eye out for a reasonably priced used mtn.bike that you won't find yourself needing to upgrade right away. On the GT shown, I'd have to say the weakest point would be the elastomer fork, even before I got a completely diff fork, I ditched the elastomers and replaced with coil springs (don't know if the springs would still be avail for that fork now)-the switch made it more compliant, but still left much to be desired.
02-10-20, 01:58 PM
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Well, now that I’ve searched for GT mountain bikes they keep popping up in my Facebook Marketplace feed willy-nilly. This one is $95 so it’s also in my price range, and oddly enough located in the same general vicinity as the other two, about 45 minutes from my house. Appears to possibly have a RockShox fork as well. Looks a bit small for 5’10” though. Anyone want to weigh in on what they think my best bet of the three is? Any input is appreciated.
02-10-20, 03:42 PM
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02-10-20, 04:32 PM
#22
Banned.
GET counseling for this problem...
then freakin go out and buy 2
02-11-20, 07:55 AM
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Google or any search engine can provide info on which fork uses elastomers--enter the year, make and model of fork and it should provide the info.
02-11-20, 08:36 AM
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For fire or gravel roads it would be fine. For moderate+ singletrack, there has been a lot of advancement with modern mountain bikes and you'd be best suited looking for a good quality modern one.
The shock will likely need to be serviced and finding parts for old suspension can be difficult and expensive.
The shock will likely need to be serviced and finding parts for old suspension can be difficult and expensive.
I'm not sure why people want to punish themselves both physically and mentally with those old bikes.
You aren't promised today, tomorrow, next week or next year. Splurge a little, get the crowbar out and open your wallet and get yourself a nice bike.
02-11-20, 11:33 AM
#25
Banned.
I still ride the older 26er I have every week . I enjoy it. I enjoy the new stuff too.
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