1999 Timberline GT - Is this a decent bike?
08-06-23, 06:49 PM
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1999 Timberline GT - Is this a decent bike?
I just bought a 1999 Timberline GT with the 7 Speed Shimano Brifters. It seems to be in mint condition, it shifts and brakes perfectly. It has Chromoly frame and says Triple Triangle on it. 18" I am 5'11 is this the right size for me? I like everything about it except the seat hurts and the bars seem really low but maybe thats how MB are ridden. It would be nice I could sit more upright and my a*s not hurt.
Last edited by BikePower; 08-06-23 at 06:55 PM.
08-07-23, 05:58 PM
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Those are not MTB STI levers they are just cheaper brake levers with shifters not really related to this sub forum. In terms of the bike it is a lower end bike, not really a great mountain bike but fine to ride. In terms of your saddle it is pointing down which means you are putting more pressure on your hands and probably that will cause some pain in the rear. However it could be once you get the saddle properly set up for your needs it might not feel bad. You really got to ride the bike and adjust it before you can say if a saddle is not right.
08-07-23, 06:25 PM
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Those are not MTB STI levers they are just cheaper brake levers with shifters not really related to this sub forum. In terms of the bike it is a lower end bike, not really a great mountain bike but fine to ride. In terms of your saddle it is pointing down which means you are putting more pressure on your hands and probably that will cause some pain in the rear. However it could be once you get the saddle properly set up for your needs it might not feel bad. You really got to ride the bike and adjust it before you can say if a saddle is not right.
08-07-23, 07:41 PM
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A replacement for what's on there would be Shimano ST-EF500, which are simply an updated version of what you have. Is there a reason you need to replace yours? They typically last forever and work well while they're doing it.
The GT is a very decent bike, but an 18" frame seems small for someone 5'11". You can raise the handlebars with a taller stem but it may be difficult to dial things in with a too-small frame.
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08-07-23, 07:57 PM
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They are together in the same pod but not a road brake and shifter combination. With an STI lever the brake lever is also a shift lever. I would just ride the bike if it works. Nothing to really upgrade, maybe the frame is decent enough, it is a 4130 chromo frame but probably nothing super exceptional. It just depends on what the issues are that you want different parts for.
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08-07-23, 08:25 PM
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The term "brifters" refers to the integrated brake/shifter combination on road bikes, like Shimano STI or similar. SRAM also makes them and there are others. On MTBs they're just "brake/shifter combination" levers.
A replacement for what's on there would be Shimano ST-EF500, which are simply an updated version of what you have. Is there a reason you need to replace yours? They typically last forever and work well while they're doing it.
The GT is a very decent bike, but an 18" frame seems small for someone 5'11". You can raise the handlebars with a taller stem but it may be difficult to dial things in with a too-small frame.
A replacement for what's on there would be Shimano ST-EF500, which are simply an updated version of what you have. Is there a reason you need to replace yours? They typically last forever and work well while they're doing it.
The GT is a very decent bike, but an 18" frame seems small for someone 5'11". You can raise the handlebars with a taller stem but it may be difficult to dial things in with a too-small frame.
08-07-23, 11:10 PM
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For someone 5'11" an 18' can be a little too small but not significantly and that GT even less so, GTs were bigger than Raleighs, Schwinns, or Treks of the same claimed size around that time. Worked in a shop that sold all 4 brands and the GT was always bigger than claimed. However, as it has been pointed out, your seat is set horribly, not only is it pointed down way too much but its also slid all the way forward and more than it should be. These two combined means your not sitting on the seat even close to correctly to determine if it is comfortable. It'll also put undue pressure on your hands well also making you feel like your having to push yourself off the bars making them feel too low. While the seat too far forward will leave you more hunched up making the drop to the bars feel worse. The current drop from the saddle to the bars isn't that bad, get that seat as close to level as possible and back so the clamp is sitting in the middle of the seat rails and then see how it is. After that, just buy a riser bar if you feel its still too low, a 25mm rise would bring it up an inch, a 35mm would be 1.4 inches, more than enough and a cheap solution.
08-08-23, 03:42 AM
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Im happy with the brakes and the shifters. They are both smooth as butter and as quiet as a mouse pissing on a cotton ball. I do think the 18" frame is too small. For my legs to go all the way down (knees still slightly bent) the seat has to be so high that I have to bend way down to grasp the straight bar handlebar. Feels like I will go over the bars if my center of gravity is nudged forward even slightly. It feels like I need much taller handlebars to be comfortable and safe. I keep the seat much lower than optimal to keep my center of gravity lower and more manageable also. Well thats too bad if it turns out that 18" is too small for me after tweaking. I guess I would need a 20" bike. What size frames did 6' and up guys do in the 90s?
I hate to say it, but you probably shouldn't spend much effort (or any money) trying to make this bike fit you. Sure, you can always screw around with stems, riser bars, super-high seatpost, etc, but it's a losing proposition. It will always be awkward and probably look ridiculous. For only $55 you don't have much into it so far. I'd sell it and continue your search. Or keep it around and use it for parts. Or maybe you have a smaller friend or family member, probably a female or a teenager, that needs a good bicycle. Clean it up, tune it up, and give it away.
08-08-23, 05:08 PM
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I'm 5'11" with a 33" inseam and I ride a 22" MTB frame, which was usually the largest frame size offered. I'm talking '89-96 Trek Singletracks, and Specialized Rockhoppers. Both of my wife's Rockhoppers are 17" (one inch smaller than yours) and she's only 5'3".
I hate to say it, but you probably shouldn't spend much effort (or any money) trying to make this bike fit you. Sure, you can always screw around with stems, riser bars, super-high seatpost, etc, but it's a losing proposition. It will always be awkward and probably look ridiculous. For only $55 you don't have much into it so far. I'd sell it and continue your search. Or keep it around and use it for parts. Or maybe you have a smaller friend or family member, probably a female or a teenager, that needs a good bicycle. Clean it up, tune it up, and give it away.
I hate to say it, but you probably shouldn't spend much effort (or any money) trying to make this bike fit you. Sure, you can always screw around with stems, riser bars, super-high seatpost, etc, but it's a losing proposition. It will always be awkward and probably look ridiculous. For only $55 you don't have much into it so far. I'd sell it and continue your search. Or keep it around and use it for parts. Or maybe you have a smaller friend or family member, probably a female or a teenager, that needs a good bicycle. Clean it up, tune it up, and give it away.
08-09-23, 06:42 AM
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I still think you're going down a rabbit hole that you don't need to go down, just because you got a good deal on the bike. You're going to spend money and make compromises that you don't have to. Look for a larger frame that you won't have to make so many modifications to just to make it rideable.
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08-11-23, 12:52 PM
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change of stem by a Ritchey comp elevated 30° stem could be a solution, I did it for my jamis moutain bike and also added a Ritchey Comp Rizer 31.8 - 740mm / 35mm Rise MTB Handlebar - BB Black because the frame I bought was a 17 when I ride on usually 19-20 MTB frames
