My Mountain Bike/body restoration....

[98LXand99LC]

I need some advice from those who are in the know about the latest MTB equipment. Here's my MTB that I bought in 1993. At the time, to me, it was the shiznit. I put a lot of miles on this bike up until about 1998, just after I got married. The last big ride I did was a three day ride from Orlando to Miami, about 350 miles (I had slicks on it, not the nobbies). Since then, I swapped the pedals, put a cushy seat on it and mostly configured it for neigborhood rides with the kids.

Here's the deal, I turn 40 this year and I'm in the worst shape of my life. I started a running program a couple weeks ago and have improved my diet. I've lost about 8 punds so far! I intend to complete a half marathon next January. While I train for that run, I want to also get back into riding for cross trianing purposes. I used to do some "mini" triathlons that were a lot of fun and want to do them again beginning in April.

So, I need to fix the rear hub which is shredded and I'd like to get some clipless pedals again and good shoes. Should I just go for a new rear wheel, or get a new hub and have it rebuilt? And, please give me some recommendations for good pedals and shoes.

Guess this is my midlife crisis. I want to be in the best shape of my life at 40. I'm calling "Project 40." LOL

 

[Liam]

i would strip the entire bike down to the frame and recondition the frame. I've done this a couple times and it is very therapeutic. Also learn how to build wheels yourself......

 

[98LXand99LC]

i would strip the entire bike down to the frame and recondition the frame. I've done this a couple times and it is very therapeutic. Also learn how to build wheels yourself......

Not sure I have the time or the patience to do a full rebuild. I do like the idea though. Maybe I'll get a road bike and then do that with this one someday. But for now I just really want to get it back to solid riding condition.

I've probably worked on 90% of the components at one time or another on this bike. Never built a wheel, but I've spent a lot of time trueing them.

 

[scottm]

You'll need new spokes with a new hub, and you'll need a new freehub if that one isn't compatible. It'd probably be cheaper and quicker to just get a new wheel. Check bike shops for takeoffs people didn't want on their new bike, those are usually low/medium-end competition quality.

If you're not a mechanic, you'd benefit from a professional tune-up, that usually comes with some good questions and advice. Get the new wheel on first.

I love my Specialized MTB shoes with ratcheting straps, they never loosen up. I keep them somewhat loose on my feet, can't do that with velcro or laces or they keep getting looser. I'm a Shimano SPD man for pedals, there are other good ones out there, I haven't tried them all.

If you're going to do mileage lose that cushy seat. Get riding shorts or padded undershorts, I wear baggy shorts over them. If you don't have a heart monitor get one, a simple one, great for monitoring your progress.

Don't worry about new tires for a while, just grind those down for a while. Once you get in shape you'll have routes you like or a group you ride with, then you'll know what tires you need.

And good luck, stick with it!

 

[Doc]

I'd just buy a new rear wheel. You can pick them up pretty cheap from places like Nashbar or e-bay.

However- If I were you I might just look into purchasing a new bike. The older I get the more I appreciate dual suspension mountain bikes. You can pick up entire new bikes that are a couple of years old on e-bay for a song.

Best peadlas out there- anything by "Crank Brothers". I love them to death. You need a pretty stiff sole to rid the 'egg beater' variety, but some of the others can be used with a 'skate' type bike shoe.

Shoe choice is very subjective. I have 2 pairs I really like. One pair is made by Shimano and looks like a 'vans' made shoe. Vey skater-like, very comfortable if I have to walk around at all. Not so great for hardcore biking. The 2nd pair of bike shoes I have are true competition shoes. Great for my egg-beaters, but hell on the feet if you have to get off and walk around town. Addidistar variety.

 

[98LXand99LC]

Scott, thanks for the information. I was an SPD man as well. Just didn't know if those were still around. Funny thing, when I went hunting through my spare components, I found one pedal?!?!?

 

[98LXand99LC]

However- If I were you I might just look into purchasing a new bike. The older I get the more I appreciate dual suspension mountain bikes. You can pick up entire new bikes that are a couple of years old on e-bay for a song.

Probaly true, but man I'm really attached to this bike. Dual suspension was getting popular just as I was getting out. IIRC, the big problem was flex while pedaling. Meaning some of the energy you put into your stroke was being absorbed by the suspension.

 

[98LXand99LC]

Crap, didn't even know there was a bicycling forum.

 

[Zimm]

the best thing you can do for that rig is recycle it. lotsa cool bikes out there now.

 

[scottm]

I'd just buy a new rear wheel. You can pick them up pretty cheap from places like Nashbar or e-bay.

I'd rather spend a few extra $ at a local bike shop, the payoff can be big. Getting a wheel and tune-up will get you a lot of free advice. If you haven't been "into" biking in a while, there's a lot to know.

However- If I were you I might just look into purchasing a new bike. The older I get the more I appreciate dual suspension mountain bikes. You can pick up entire new bikes that are a couple of years old on e-bay for a song.

Probably. I wasn't at all sure what kind of riding he'd do. I ride my full-sus on the street a lot, the rear sus automatically locks out and it's pretty efficient. His goal is running with cross-training on this bike. If he ends up getting serious maybe this will be his backup bike, still $ well spent to get it functional/reliable.

 

[fj80goody]

Here is a great web site for DIY bike repair Bicycle Tutor - Bike Repair Video Tutorials

If you don't have the time or simply don't want to do the maintenance yourself I would defiantly take into you're LBS ASAP. Have them give it a good tune up.

Looks like you did some mods already like the road bike crank set. As far as the latest and greatest MTB gear I would hold off. It would probably be more economical to just buy a new bike when you are ready. Shop around and test ride some bikes at your LBS until you find what works for you. And don't let them talk you into buying more bike than you need. You could easily drop a couple G's on a bike and have it sit in the garage.

As far as "Project 40" goes keep it up man!!!! Run Run Run... Get a good pair of shoes and a dog. Good luck!!

 

[98LXand99LC]

Looks like you did some mods already like the road bike crank set.

As far as "Project 40" goes keep it up man!!!! Run Run Run... Get a good pair of shoes and a dog. Good luck!!

It's an MTB crankset, I just removed the small chainring. Never used it.

Thanks for the encouragement. Got the shoes and the dog, behind the rear wheel in the first pic. Best dog in the world!

 

[Lugboot]

If you opt for a new wheel, you'll have to get one that matches your current cassette--what is it--6 or 7 speed? If so, you would have to get another wheel that takes that size of cassette--most decent wheels these days run 8-9 speed cassette hub bodies. You might be able to run the old cassette with a spacer or something, not sure. Talk to a good LBS about your options--take the bike with you so they can see it.

Good luck with Project 40!

 

[wxm]

What is wrong with the rear hub, assuming you have a hub? If it is just the spokes, you can simply take the cassette apart, and replace what's broken? Or probably more easier just to replace the cassette all together. Or if it is the hub giving you trouble, then you might as well replace the rear wheel (not to say you can't service the hub, but it is hardly justified especially the low end wheel, because a new hub will likely cost as much as a wheel). If you are running a freewheel, then it is as simple as replace the freewheel.

As other stated, when you go shopping you want to stay with the same gearing system (IE, if you use 8 speed, get a 8 speed hub wheel or freewheel - there are plenty of 8 speed stuffs on eBay). The 9 speed hub will work if you add a special spacer inside of an 8-speed cassette.

BTW, if you are planing to replace the shifters and derailleurs soon, you might want to consider get a 9 speed...(With 10 speed on the market, they are cheaper than phased out 8 speed)...

 

[scottm]

That pic of the hub looks like some of the flange is broken off, no fixing that. It looks like a good bike for starting back into riding, and if he gets serious and buys a serious bike he'll still need a beater to go to the store or loan out.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

is that rear hub a Ringle? the front looks like a blue Ringle

edit.. the rear is not a ringle.

 

[98LXand99LC]

Yes, the rear is a Ringle and it's broken. Won't be able to fix it. And it's a 7 speed cassette.

I sank at least $2K into this bike when I built it. Granted that was 15 yrs ago (I can't believe that).

 

[scottm]

I sank at least $2K into this bike when I built it. Granted that was 15 yrs ago (I can't believe that).

Yup, painful. I have an expensive bike I love in pieces in the basement. It's so obsolete I can't get parts anymore. I might find use for the rear shock someday, and the wheels should fit my beater bike, the rest is scrap.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

nice old school rear hub

NUKE PROOF REAR TITANIUM HUB! VINTAGE MOUNTAIN BIKE - eBay (item 330301106824 end time Jan-25-09 18:34:11 PST)

 

[2littletime]

This is my second post. Thought I would start in an area I know well. I have worked in a bike shop for fifteen years. Best advice I can give is to do your research and find a good honest shop. Most shops go out of there way to help out their regulars. Most are willing to match the mail order "sluts" if need be. In the long run it will save you money by not buying the things you don't need.

Buy a wheel they are alot cheaper than a hand build. Most wheels you find will be for a 8/9 speed cassette, a spacer will fix this problem so your 7 speed will fit. I would budget about 60$-75$ for a new one and about half that for used(buyer beware).

Buy Shimano pedals. They are the most reliable thing going. The pdm540's are the best bang expect to pay about 60$. I would try to find a Specialized dealer for the shoes. They are more ergonomic than anything out there. But as the old saying goes if the shoe fits....Good luck!