1991 GT Zaskar from storage

[TT_Zaskar91]

Hello chaps,

New member here ! Decided that its high time I dusted off the bike I put into storage 18 years ago.... a GT Zaskar 20" polished ally. Bought from Ribble Cycles when I was 16 years old. I'm 37 now.

From reading around it seems I bought a decent bike back then, when all my mates were buying cars (i just used my mums). Anyway, it's totally vintage now, with a mix of suntour parts and deore xt (which I bought with my glass collecting wages). I think the last upgrade to it was around 1992 when I bought the newly released Xt rapidfire shifter and brake combo (a present for doing well in my A levels ! Classic eh?)

Anyway, to stop me rambling about my long since past youth..... I want to upgrade to suspension forks, inc new headset and stem. From memory I'm sure the headset is 1 1/8" but otherwise I would be grateful for any advise/pointers as to what would be suitable for what is essentially a fixed frame and fork combo.

Will post up some pics soon, but in the meantime I hope someone on here can help.

Cheers
Tony

 

[NeilM]

Welcome to the forum. I'm a bit new here myself, and not really got my head around the age related retro thing yet, so I'll be interested to see what suggestions you get.

Regarding forks: Have a look in the MTB for sale section, as forks from the 90's are really well priced. I would consider Rockshox Judy XC's or maybe Marzocchi Bombers, Pace RC35's or Manitou's. All are pretty period, and still work well.

My 94 Zaskar LE started life with a pair of ShockTech forks (Pace lookalikes), but now wears Marzocchi's.

As for stems, I'll let others chip in, as there are some very knowledgeable guys about who will be able to advise.

 

[Chute55uk]

i would leave it rigid, but if you have to put shocks on it you want to be looking for rockshox judy or manitou ti of that period. trouble is i wouldnt want to go any more modern than that as forks seemed to get longer as they get newer so around the 80mm travel max (50 would be better) shouldnt have it looking too much like a demented motox bike
only my opinion and in no way fact

 

[feetabix]

welcome to the site tony....restore what you have at the moment is my immediate thought....thats where the best memories are....if you upgrade the forks, then rock shox suit a gt nicely....most important is that you get some pics up!....im not too far away from you age wise ( :roll: )....it wasnt that long ago...

 

[merckx]

do you want to keep the vintage theme (very nice with a 91 Zaskar) or go modern? (perhaps not so nice).

vintage....well Rock Shox Mag 20 or 21's are about right.....and they do indeed look magic on those old frames.

they have their downsides, they are a relatively heavy, flexy and not particularly well functioning fork (lots of seal stiction)

however....that's part of the fun really, about vintage bikes....celebrating their shortcomings.

 

[feetabix]

do you want to keep the vintage theme (very nice with a 91 Zaskar) or go modern? (perhaps not so nice).

vintage....well Rock Shox Mag 20 or 21's are about right.....and they do indeed look magic on those old frames.

they have their downsides, they are a relatively heavy, flexy and not particularly well functioning fork (lots of seal stiction)

however....that's part of the fun really, about vintage bikes....celebrating their shortcomings.

....quite right!....we do all ride around on 8" stems and wet canti rim brakes....what difference will a sticky fork make?....

 

[Guy With a Ritchey]

Pics javascript:emoticon('')

 

[FROGSKIN]

Cannot wait for time-warp pics dude!

 

[TT_Zaskar91]

hello again ! Been away for couple of days, but dragged the bike out of the stores this morning and took a few pics. This bike is untouched for 18 years, except for the addition of front and rear lights (10 years ago) when I had a breif spell of riding it around town !!

Needs a good clean and a few parts repainting/powder coating. Will get round to that in time, otherwise.....

glad I never sold it now. Must get it back on the road asap

 

[13]

wish i found something like that in storage! uber nice project there, got all the main parts just needs a bit of loving to make a really nice retro ride!!
look forward to updates.