1996 Mystery GT RTS

[jimmy5willy]

Today arrived my latest addition to my GT fleet, a GT RTS.
Always a gamble buying one off ebay because you don't always see cracks, but this one was at a good price so I thought bugger it. For what I paid I could make back in the parts on it anyway...

Here's the interesting bit;

It was advertised and is stickered up as an RTS 3, but it's the colour of an RTS 1 and has (original period correct) spec of an RTS 2 :?
Did they make a polished RTS 3?

Started stripping it down today ready for cleaning (there were some seriously naff parts that had to go too, Stiff RST 461DH fork anyone...?) found the frame number, which although has the date incorporated it doesn't say much else. Not even the size like my STS...
No frame material stamps spotted anywhere yet either but there is an old 7005 sticker. Could be a re-issue though..

Any ideas how to identify it?

Let the rebuild commence!

 

[jimmy5willy]

Frame: 16" 7000 Alu

Fork: RST 461 DH Team (Going in the bin most likely..)
Shock: Noleen

Headset: FSA
Stem: Syncros
Handlebar: Club Roost
Grips:
Barends:

Brakes:
Cantilever cable hangers: No
Brake Levers: XTR sti

Shifters: XTR sti
Front Derailleur: Unknown
Rear Derailleur: LX
Cassette: Unknown
Chain: Unknown
Cranks: MT60
Chainrings: Shimano
Bottom Bracket: Unknown
Pedals: Shimano LX

Hub Skewers: Shimano
Rims:
Hubs: LX
Tyres: Odd. 1 Panaracer whitewall, one cheapo black tyre

Saddle: Massive Velo ladybum fit
Seatpost: Alu unbranded
Seatpost Binder: Unknown

Weight:

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

Decals are 1996, what's your serial number? And YES they were available in a ball burnished finish in 1996.

 

[mikee]

didn't the RTS 1 have the zaskarish flat end cap
or was that just the team ?

 

[mattbrown]

yeah, higher end ones did, this hasnt, it is an 1996 RTS-3, i have owned one of those

 

[wooly pluto]

Have no idea, but isn't this tire just a little bit too big for RTS?
I am not sure, but this is rather definitely modern DH bike stuff for me.

 

[Pickle]

Definately an RTS-3.

My 1996 RTS-2 is the same style being fully ball burnished, and wears the same colour decals. However, mine is 7000 series tubing. The RTS Team and RTS-1 are 6061-T6.

 

[mikee]

well the front ends a 3 as is the shock
but the rear end appears a 1 or so with the extra link and aluminium
has the makings of a nice wee bike
i like the way mine rides sorta sort hardailish

get on with it then


pickle
that looks sweet m8
definatley better with the low front end

 

[jimmy5willy]

Decals are 1996, what's your serial number? And YES they were available in a ball burnished finish in 1996.

Frame number is SK6C19666. Where are you getting the info on frame colours? I looked on mtbkatalog.de and didn't see one on there... :?

the rear end appears a 1 or so with the extra link and aluminium

What do you mean extra link?

Pretty obvious it's not an RTS1 with the different frame material, I was more curious as to whether it was a 2 or 3.

 

[mikee]

rts 3 93
no extra link on the steel backend

ball burnished frame and piggy back shock