Picked up this pretty mint 1989 Graecross Jackaroo off marketplace. It looks pretty much stock from the day the original owner bought it. It’s an Australian steel frame made in Taiwan. I reckon the colour matched frame, stem and handlebar look dope – but I’m wondering if there’s any way I could xbike it? I’m not even 100% sure what I mean by that but I feel the people here will get me.
Any suggestions or thoughts very welcome
Basic specs
Arya 26×1.5 wheels
Shimano SIS exage mountain 3×6 group set
by whitdawg91
8 Comments
I mean, you’re already there. I would break off the rest of the dork disc and then just ride it.
ride it and let the necessary changes present themselves imo, this looks sick already
Ride it
I think it’s sick as it is. Personally, I would have to change the seat and the handle bars but I am getting old so comfort is more important to me. Probably Brooks saddle and VO milan bars with Ergon grips
If money isn’t an issue…
As far as bikes go this one is easy as hell to work on and that makes it awesome. Park Tool tutorials and RJ the bike guy make YouTube invaluable. Watch those and you’ll learn what specific tools you need to use at your local co-op or what tools to buy. As for the actual bike, first clean and grease all the bearings and install new cables and housing. If you’re scared of repacking hubs it’s about $150 usd (no idea about AUS rates) to get your wheelset dished, trued, and hubs repacked. It’s pretty simple though so read some Sheldon Brown about how to do it and you’ll be set. If they are worn get a new chain and cassette. A bottom bracket isn’t too expensive either so if it’s busted get a new one. All those parts are consumables and should be replaced eventually anyway. Take a million pictures of parts and measurements and don’t throw anything away until it’s riding again and you’re sure you don’t want a parts bin that will follow you around for life.
Where will you be riding? That will inform your new tire decision if you need them. A saddle bag with a flat repair kit is smart and can be a fun place to add some personality. That’s a big ol’ frame so maybe a half frame bag would be good instead so you could also carry a u-lock and your small personal crap. Then you would still have room for a water bottle cage too. The arundel loony bin is on almost all my bikes but it’s another chance for more color if you go with something else. You have mounts for racks or fenders but not both – at least traditional fenders. Plastic strap-on fenders can be great. P-clamps work for a more permanent solution. SKS is a good brand for fenders but there are a lot of others.
I used a backpack for almost a decade and once I started using a rack I never went back. I love a rear rack pannier set up but heel strike is annoyingly common. I love a big front basket more for commuting. Maybe get some front and rear LEDs if you want to ditch the reflectors.
Your butt deserves a better saddle
I would give it some time to see if you’re happy with the brakes and shifting. But ultimately would probably upgrade the shifters to cheap trigger shifters, and if not able to find the v/canti versions probably put v brakes on it too.
You can’t really change the drivetrain much without a new wheel since it’s a freewheel not a freehub.
And would definitely do a full tune, new grips and tires.
Take off the reflectors, bell, and dork disc. Replace the cables/housing/brake pads. New chain if it’s worn, new grips and seat