Vintage bike upgrade
08-01-22, 10:58 PM
#2
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That's pretty open-ended question;. "Vintage MTB" covers a very wide range of bikes, from 1980s 'Marin' ATBs to late 1990s "NORBA" XC race bikes. (And a whole galaxy of quality/price levels)
MTBs have also gone through a lot of evolution through the years, far more than road bikes (until recently) so there's only so much you can do to 'modernize' an older bike.
The usual stuff like grips/bars, and tires; even wheels and driveline and controls, but only up to a point.
A lot of it depends on what you start with and what you want to do with it
MTBs have also gone through a lot of evolution through the years, far more than road bikes (until recently) so there's only so much you can do to 'modernize' an older bike.
The usual stuff like grips/bars, and tires; even wheels and driveline and controls, but only up to a point.
A lot of it depends on what you start with and what you want to do with it
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08-02-22, 07:13 AM
#3
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Don't upgrade anything, just get it in sound mechanical condition and ride it. If it is a good brand-name bike it will always be a better bike than you are a rider, so work on upgrading yourself, not the bike.
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08-02-22, 07:43 AM
#4
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If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
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08-02-22, 09:21 AM
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08-02-22, 11:48 AM
#7
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Brake pads, chain, grips, cables, tires. Not even upgrades just make it work right.
Oooh, Exception.
If you've got a crap early boinger fork you will probably want to replace with a rigid.
Oooh, Exception.
If you've got a crap early boinger fork you will probably want to replace with a rigid.
08-02-22, 01:10 PM
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What’s not working?
What would result in more enjoyment for the bike in question?
Is it comfortable, and a good fit for you?
Are you planning to actually ride this bike off-road on challenging surfaces extensively? If not, changing to better tires - smooth tread, lighter weight, more supple casing - will definitely make the bike more enjoyable.
Does the gearing work for your terrain and riding style?
What would result in more enjoyment for the bike in question?
Is it comfortable, and a good fit for you?
Are you planning to actually ride this bike off-road on challenging surfaces extensively? If not, changing to better tires - smooth tread, lighter weight, more supple casing - will definitely make the bike more enjoyable.
Does the gearing work for your terrain and riding style?
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08-02-22, 05:49 PM
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