I got this bike from my friend’s dad. He said it hadn’t been ridden in 10+ years and had just been hung up in the garage. It’s definitely in need of a tune-up, but other than that, I don’t really know anything about whether or not it would be a good bike for me to start learning mtb on. I’m not really financially capable of buying a new bike, so I would love to make this one work if possible. If it is feasible, are the wheels fine as is? And if not, which ones are good to start with?
Any advice or input would be much appreciated!
by claidai
4 Comments
This would be a great bike for riding around town. This would not be good to ride any trails on, it is a 30 year old bike, maybe older. Trails have advanced with bike technology and bike technology has come a long way.
This is not capable for more than gravel roads or very light green trails, this is an OLD bike. Very pretty, people over at r/xbiking would enjoy it and give you advice to turn it into a city commuter or gravel bike, but not really a mountain bike.
This absolutely is a 30 year old bike, I believe 92 or 93 my parents looked at this for me and instead went with a purple trek 800 that wasn’t any better. For gravel roads, rail trails, and wide open bunny trails this is a fine bike, even then it wouldn’t have been a great bike. The single wall rims and freewheel rear hub are a weakness on actual heavier use. So it could still be a good start since you have it and can use it just to ride with. The tires were replaced, serfas didn’t exist then and they look newer, they’re clearly a gravel/dirt road tire so don’t expect much from them but will still do fine on the most entry level of things, but check them for dry rot. Check the brake pads that they’re not too stiff and hard or they won’t brake well. And if you have fun on the easy stuff, save a bit more, there’s few really capable bikes used in the 200 range unless you get lucky and nothing in the new range for another 600.00 more than you have. At the LBS this week and personally the cheapest bike I’d buy new for hitting trails here on LI was 1k.
I was riding bonelli the other day and a 60 year old dude passed me on this bike.