1998 Giant ATX 850 Project

[Reiver]

Hi all in MTB section,
I picked up this Giant ATX 850 Expert series, looked in generally good condition.
Its either 1997 or 98?
Rear mech has gone into the spokes and destroyed the wheel and snapped the hanger off.
So looking for a pair of wheels and tyres, front wheel is fine but not sure if I will find a match?
Hanger ordered.
I may replace the Dia Compe brakes as the reviews say they are not good.
New chain and brake blocks/pads.
Crank/BB spinning fine, headset good and the forks are moving.
It is very light weight.
Good clean up and see what it looks like.

My first venture into the MTB section as I normally work on road bikes.

Reiver

 

[Once A Hero]

No sign of it in the 1997 or earlier brochures on here, therefore must be 1998 or later - but I'm surprised it has a threaded headset so late in the decade.
I can't see what groupset yours has, but I don't think there would be any harm in throwing upgraded parts at it if needed. Perhaps something like STX RC or even XT.

 

[sam_white]

Dad's 1997 Giant Track Expert also has a threaded headset

Thread '1998? Giant Track Expert'

Oct 1, 2024

Just a couple of photos of one of the workaday retro bikes we have around the family.

This is Dad's Giant Track, fairly sure it is a 1998 as it doesn't appear in the 1997 catalogue. Apart from the seats, stem and brake pads, everything is original I believe.
I've always thought it unusual to see a standard threaded steerer on a bike as 'new' as this. Also somewhat strange that it is a 'Track' model and not an ATX.
Anyway, I was out and about taking the kids to the park on it, so I thought it deserved a photo or two and a description.

Frame number is GL789442

• sam_white
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Bike Chat 1998 -->

• 

What's the frame number on this ATX 850?

 

[Reiver]

sam_white, Frame number is GB886707
I have seen some red ATX with rigid front forks

Reiver

 

[Reiver]

No sign of it in the 1997 or earlier brochures on here, therefore must be 1998 or later - but I'm surprised it has a threaded headset so late in the decade.
I can't see what groupset yours has, but I don't think there would be any harm in throwing upgraded parts at it if needed. Perhaps something like STX RC or even XT.

I noticed this ATX 850 was missing from brochures.
The Shimano parts fitted have date stamps 1997 and 1998.
It does have STX Shifters which are stand alone.
I wonder if this is run out 'parts bin special' it's a lovely frame with rubbish brakes and frankly non descript wheels - rims are decent, spokes look OK but no name hubs, I have seen Suzuki Motorcycles do this more than once.

I was thinking update with XT components and leave it 'as is'?

Reiver

 

[sam_white]

Frame number indicates 1998, so your Shimano codes all match up with this. Also explains why it isn't in the 1997 catalogue.

 

[Reiver]

Frame number indicates 1998, so your Shimano codes all match up with this. Also explains why it isn't in the 1997 catalogue.

Thanks for that, clears year up.
Can you or some one move my post to 1998 onwards section?
Cheers
Reiver

 

[Reiver]

Ordered XT M739 front mech, SLX 9spd cassette and an XT 739 rear mech.
Not expensive!
Rear mech hanger is here.

Reiver

 

[Reiver]

Update on the Giant ATX 850.
New parts to me fitted;
XT rear mech, XT front mech, XT M750 rear V brake, XT M739? on the front V brake.
XT brake blocks - look great but see how they work!!
Front wheel, Mavic XM rim and LX hub,.
Rear wheel unknown rim - sticker missing and LX Paralax hub.
Only issue with the rims are; front silver and rear black.
I have managed to 'dish' the rear wheel to the centre line and trued it up, Front wheel needed a tweak to true it up.
Screw in headset was all good, regrease and all back together.
Cleaned up the chainset, BB was all good, I will still pull it out and grease up.

It worked out cheaper to buy a tired complete bicycle in order to blag the XT brakes and the wheels.
Not sure if the 9 speed cassette will fit and the changers on the ATX are 8 speed.
Can I take the lower sprocket off and use it like that?

I need tyres and a chain

Reiver

 

[lewisflex]

Cool bike!

XT brake blocks - look great but see how they work!!

I had the retaining pin loosen on the M739s on my Proflex causing me to lose a brake block in Sherwood Pines; I ended up immediately replacing them all with single-piece Kool-Stops. Not saying this will happen to you, but definitely bring a spare pad. (I have three you can have! And one housing without a pad!)

Can I take the lower sprocket off and use it like that?

According to Sheldon Brown's site the centre-to-centre sprocket spacing on Shimano rear cassettes is 4.34mm on the 9 speed vs 4.8mm on the 8 speed. I don't think you'll get away with it; your indexing will be out and you'll also have a 3.24mm shortfall in cassette width to make up for with spacers.