Chukbacca

I picked his up at auction and thought I'd post pictures...I'm guessing 1988 Timberline?

madpogue 

Picked what up? Not seeing a pic....

2cam16

Your pics are broken.

Chukbacca

Bummer...Is this better?

friendofpugs 

Yes, pics are coming through now - looks like a fun project in store for you!

Brewsmith 

Here's my recent GT Lightning TI drop bar hardtail build.

pressed001

I would throw on a CX or road drive-train and ride the hell out if it! Maybe also a carbon fork?

Chukbacca

Please forgive my ignorance. I've worked on my bikes since I was a kid, but I've never heavily modified them. What would be the difference between a hi-ten fork, a chromoly fork and a carbon fork? Virtually all the riding I do is casual and on hard surface (gravel included); frankly, most of the time I'm pulling groceries or children.

Thanks for the kind education!

CR

pressed001

I guess there would be a change in handling characteristics depending on the material type. I was however thinking of aesthetics alone. Carbon fork would just look better! It would also open up the front brake type possibilities.

top506

And the 'ol switch-a-roo is done:



The 56cm frame and fork will be up on the 'For Sale' thread, if anyone is interested.

Top

friendofpugs 

That ride looks sweet, Top. Love the other stuff in the shed too - 'let's just pile these handlebars right...here.'

I just got a GT Tequesta that I did my first drop bar conversion on - I'd post some pics but you'd all laugh at the adjustable stem I used to figure out what felt decent, lol

pressed001

The Tempest has finally seen some decent use this year and I am ever more impressed with how stiff, light and agile this bike is.

After a couple of long rides I felt that the large chainring could be larger and that the brakes were not perfectly set up. The crank was a 40/28 and after much reading and deliberation is now successfully a 44/28. It rubs only very slightly on the bottom of the front derailleur whilst in 28/11 which is no problem and the chainring still has about 3mm of play between the teeth and the chainstay. This is accomplished without the use of a drive-side spacer, so the chainline is really optimal!

The resulting gearing is now great for the flats and does not rob my bottom end which I ensure is required! The brake levers went from XT (V-brake, non-adjustable) to Ultegra (Cantilever, adjustable) and I find that they are only OK. Primarily because they are only 2.5 finger where the XT's are 3. The only drawback from the XT's was the longer cable pull, as they are intended for v-brake use. When used with the cantilevers, the pads would kick out very far and the kool-stops would rub on the tires. It was hoped that this would be remedied with the new Ultegra levers, but regretfully was that not the case as the cable pull is still somewhat longer than hoped. What I ended up doing was filing down the upper-rear edges of the kool-stops and now have no rubbing.

The XT levers will most likely get re-installed as they look better and allow more easily, more power application. I am also playing with the idea of installing XT v-brakes to go with the levers. The bike would be slightly heavier but I feel that the braking power and modulation will benefit. I don't feel that they would look as nice as the cantilevers but perhaps after having the arms of the v-brakes polished to a high-shine would they look even better!

Anyhow, the bike was cleaned and I took to it with some metal polish/protectant. It has after all been a couple of years and the aluminum was needing some attention.

ocsawdust

Good looking ride.

ucs.james

fleslider 

wonder if my 1985 Backwoods is still welcomed although it was pre Triple Triangle for GT, pics are as i got it and its in queue ..deciding on how to build it.



1985 Timberline , as i got it. not much is original


Proof its a GT


Yes stock with a GT Epoch headset.. basically it has a spring in the headset that keeps the top race from loosening . it was a mainstay on the GT Freestyle bikes

3speedslow

fleslider 

Thanks.. just trying to figure out how to build it.. era correct ATB with DeerHead XT, or a newer 9 speed with riser bars .

I see it as a urban cruiser as sorts since it was not a great ATB as new. and its got the long lines on it..

2cam16

Sweet! Looking forward to this one!
My Muddy Fox Explorer has a similar headset. Pretty cool engineering, IMO.

pressed001

Thank you for the complement. After my last ride the bike needs another good cleaning.

I don't know if you will find this outside of Europe. Sonax Chrome and Aluminum polish.

pressed001

That GT deserves a thread of its own and is sure welcome here! It is gorgeous and if you ever want to sell it let me know!

fleslider 

@2cam16, I totally forgot about these headsets, i remember hearing about them back in the 80's, but never tore one apart.. til this one!

@pressed001. Thank you, your tempest is beautiful! I will start a thread for it when i start building it, just have to figure out how i want to build it..

rgreener

I am the original owner of this. I believe it's a 1999 based on bikepedia (although their photo is terrible and does not show the true color). I rarely use the bike and when I do it's mostly on the flats. Unfortunately never got into taking this off road. It's a time capsule of original parts as I don't remember replacing anything (the gt pedals are somewhere).

Just sharing...

pressed001

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forums!

papaStrudel 

I posted in this thread last year and I have since converted my 94 Karakoram to a drop bar build.

madpogue 

^^^^^ (Gasp) You didn't post it to the August "Show us your purple bikes" thread? Tsk, tsk.....