'97 GT Xizang

[Twisty]

I've got a '97 GT Xizang I bought the frame in 1999 and has remained my main MTB ever since. I am on a strict bike quota and for the last few years I've had a casual thought about selling it and replacing with something more modern. Did my first race for quite a while last weekend and at the start-line some of the other competitors on their carbon full sus 27.5"/29" bikes were actually laughing at what I was riding. It does leave me for the first time thinking more seriously if I should update and what is the Xizang worth.

As you can see a chunk lot of the components are more modern. I am assuming most of the value is in the frame anyway. It does have '99 Marzocchi superfly forks, '96 V brakes (some of the lever is currently '99 though), DT 240 Hugi hubs 28h, XTR rapid rise mech, LX front shifter is '97 I think, XT front mech might be '97, Titec stem, Answer protaper bars. If I did sell then I'd be fairly keen on keeping the new XTR pedals, the WTB saddle, and maybe the rotor cranks.

The frame also is hardly concourse condition but apart from 1 minor scratch on the top tube (brake lever collision) it is just the usual scuffs from shoes and cables, it rides awesome.

If more or better pics are useful then please let me know and I will sort this.

 

[Twisty]

Re:

Anybody able to give me a steer, even if it is a bit vauge?
I can only find one Xizang that has sold on eBay, which sold for about $350 dollars. It was also a '97 but it had a disk mounted welded onto the rear which may have increased or decreased the price.

If it helps with value the Xizang just came 17th in Masters category of National XC MTB championship (Singapore) performing well against more youthful tech packed bikes. Xizang would have placed better if rider was a bit leaner and fitter.

 

[iveto1983]

Re:

As you say, most of the value is in the frame. I would say the frame only would sell for at least £500. The disc mod on the one that sold on eBay reduced the value.

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Agree with the above, frame should make £400/500, complete bike maybe £600/700.

Think long and hard before selling though as you'll need deep pockets to get anything near the quality of your bike.

 

[BobCatMax]

it looks a little too big for me, otherwise you'd be getting a pm!

 

[Thias]

I think you will regret selling that bike. Because of your memories.
Many of us had to spend considerable amount of money to get back what they foolishly sold.
Better think about it.

Btw. I think it is quite cool to compete those new bike nerds with your trusty old steed

(specialized s-works FSR '95 in action)

 

[Twisty]

Thanks for the comments, really appreciated.
I'm weighing up my options. I don't have space/spousal permission to increase my bike count for the forseeable. Whatever I do I don't want to be running with the Superfly forks for much longer, all the trails are pretty technical around here plus I was 65kg back in '99 and up to 85kg now

I'm thinking if I put in a more modern 120mmish travel fork on with a BB7 disk brake then I'd have something that'd plushen and lift up the front and and I'd be more comfortable on going down these steep rocky decents. Then maybe I could retro the rest of the bike and also locate a nice period rigid fork which I could swap in for when I want to be 100% retro, switching cables on the V Brake levers is really easy.

 

[T'boo Ted]

and maybe snap the headtube right off (ok probably wouldn't happen...but )

I've got a 80mm manitou r7 on my96, personally would't go more than that. But thats just me.

And carbon wonder bikes aren't all that great.

 

[Twisty]

Re:

Yes after thinking about it a bit more I realise that I should keep the forks less than 100mm.

I've actually got some '98 Z2 Bam forks which are 80mm, but ATM they are 10,000km away and they weigh more than the frame so contemplating something newer and lighter.

I still need to test out some newer bikes to see what the difference between retro and new is, I've been stuck doing road riding recently :facepalm:

 

[mtbdave]

A 91 "u brake" 18" Xizang sold on eBay Friday for £795bin, the early ones are more desirable, but yours still has value to it.

If immaculate say £6-700