Snagged this awesome 89 Karakoram gt k2. Wondering if you guys have any tips for restoring this bike as a bikepacking back- but honestly I just wanna make it run well and look super sweet for bikepacking. Shifts not too well so I’m looking to replace that. Hoping to restore for under 200. Also wanted to show off my find. Thanks!
by Ornery_Improvement51
4 Comments
Try to upgrade saddle and pedals. Also you can try to fit a v-brake on the front (back seems to only fit u-brake) and so you can then upgrade stem (Quill to ahead adapter will fit a modern stem , make sure you get the right one fiting the inner diameter of your fork) and handlebars to something more comfy. Also grips, and recable shifters. Try and source second hand or aliexpress, you will spend around 120 bucks for all of those upgrades. You could upgrade your crankset to a 1 speed front (needs a narrow wide chainwheel which is hard to source for the crankset on your bike). The most expensive upgrade would be good tires, theres almost no saving money there, they just come with a price, but will make a big difference to ride.
Theres also quite cheap options for front racks that mount to the brakes and the central hole on the fork.
Hope that helps
Replace contact points with ones that you like. Big platform pedals will help. Depending on what you like, maybe risers? Definitely new brake pads. Find wider tires, ones that lean towards cross country. Maxxis Ardents are a pretty good mix between traction and speed. Front rack? Definitely spruce it up with some colors!
Check out 2nd life bikes on YouTube.
Aliexpress 10 speed Shimano deore/SLX or XT shifters/cassette/derailleur/chain are cheap at the moment.