Back when I was 13 or 14 and a religious devotee of the show Pacific Blue.... I wanted a Mountain Bike in the worst way, a good one at that! My parents were nice enough to splurge and bought me a yellow GT Rebound with the Rock Shox fork. I loved that flipping bike, rode it everywhere. Then I turned 16, got my license and didn't ride much at all.
Fast forward 15 years and my family (wife, 3 kids) are getting on bikes 3-4 times a week. I've already put several hundred miles on my Rebound this year and last. While the bike functions, there are some (lots) of chips in the paint. I have an issue with the derailleur that I need to tackle and just some general, much needed maintenance.
This will definitely be a labor of love and less about value. I know I could buy a new bike with newer tech but this one is my baby. I'm also looking at a road bike to challenge myself in that aspect sans family..
Anyway, what are the X's and O'x when it comes to refurbishing a bike of this age? Any landmines I'm not thinking of? My project plan is:
- Completely strip the bike this winter, send the frame to my local powder coating guy. (any comments on color?)
- New drive train components - any suggestions here?
- The wheels are pretty damn true and I upgraded the wheels/tires at some point with some stronger ones so nothing needed here. I may get new tire since the ones on there are wearing out.
- The fork seems to function fine but it's almost 20 years old, is there a common replacement for those old, entry level Rock Shox?
Is there a "refurbishing 101" guide somewhere or any other resources you can point me to as I start down this path? I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have done lots of automotive work/mods so I'm not scared about 2 wheels.
Is there anything else I should be considering?
many thanks!
Fast forward 15 years and my family (wife, 3 kids) are getting on bikes 3-4 times a week. I've already put several hundred miles on my Rebound this year and last. While the bike functions, there are some (lots) of chips in the paint. I have an issue with the derailleur that I need to tackle and just some general, much needed maintenance.
This will definitely be a labor of love and less about value. I know I could buy a new bike with newer tech but this one is my baby. I'm also looking at a road bike to challenge myself in that aspect sans family..
Anyway, what are the X's and O'x when it comes to refurbishing a bike of this age? Any landmines I'm not thinking of? My project plan is:
- Completely strip the bike this winter, send the frame to my local powder coating guy. (any comments on color?)
- New drive train components - any suggestions here?
- The wheels are pretty damn true and I upgraded the wheels/tires at some point with some stronger ones so nothing needed here. I may get new tire since the ones on there are wearing out.
- The fork seems to function fine but it's almost 20 years old, is there a common replacement for those old, entry level Rock Shox?
Is there a "refurbishing 101" guide somewhere or any other resources you can point me to as I start down this path? I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have done lots of automotive work/mods so I'm not scared about 2 wheels.
Is there anything else I should be considering?
many thanks!
Lots of help and knowledge available on this site and most bits to keep her retro if that’s what your after, can be sourced.
