Picked up this Gary Fisher Kaitai for $100 and I’m pretty happy with it so far. It looks like the previous owner barely used it and then let it sit for years.
What surprised me is how clean it is. Other than some surface rust on the chain, I can’t really find corrosion anywhere, even on the bolts and small hardware. The cassette and chainrings were extremely clean, almost like they had been thoroughly cleaned before it was put away, but the entire drivetrain was completely bone dry.
I put a small amount of chain lube on it and took it for a short ride, and the bike feels surprisingly solid. The RockShox Judy fork still compresses and rebounds smoothly without any noise or bottoming out, the brakes feel good, and the wheels seem straight.
Since it has clearly been sitting unused for a long time, what maintenance would you recommend before I start riding it regularly? I’m thinking cables/housing, checking the hubs/headset/bottom bracket, brake pads, chain wear, and possibly servicing the fork, but I’d appreciate advice from people familiar with older MTBs.
I also haven’t been able to confidently pin down the exact year/spec. It has:
Gary Fisher Kaitai aluminum frame, Made in USA
3×8 drivetrain / 24 speeds
Shimano Deore LX rear derailleur
Shimano front derailleur
Shimano RapidFire shifters
RockShox Judy front suspension
26” wheels
WTB saddle/grips and other WTB details
Genesis Geometry decals
If anyone recognizes the exact year or original build, I’d love to know. Also curious whether $100 was a decent buy.
by sheerdoll
2 Comments
Probably late 1990’s to early 2000’s bike. Looks like a good kit with shimano LX. If it is working now no reason to do cables and housing unless it has shifting issues. I’m surprised the fork still works, most of those elastomers turn to rocks after 5-10 years.
1999 or later, based on the font for Gary Fisher. 2000 appears to be the last year for the Kaitai, so… one of those two years.