Upgrading an Oldie for Cheap - 1998 GT Outpost Trail

[CheapSk86]

I am currently finalizing an upgrade on my 1998 GT Outpost Trail and am looking for opinions. Obviously it's an old bike and there is much out there newer and better, but I am tight on funds and have been making due with the thing since I got it.

I got back into single-track riding 2 summers back after a 4 year hiatus and started having issues, chain jumping, binding, typically under high stress heading uphill. After comparing new bike costs for what I ultimately want, I decided to start upgrades after finding great deals on clearance and pre-owned parts. Because it's so old, I decided to not blow a ton of money on it, and have kept it relatively low cost so far. Everything was original on it except the saddle. Now it's got new riser handlebars, shifters, crankset, rear cassette, front derailleur, rear derailleur, chain, bottom bracket, and rear hub. And I'll be lucky if I have hit the $150 mark.

Spring is rapidly approaching, and I am back into the mindset of completing it and getting back out on it. I have been poking around PinkBike at the idea of upgrading the front fork. I have been looking at headsets, stems, and front forks between pb, chain reaction, pricepoint, and aawyeah and it looks like, with a little patience and luck, I could do this for close to the $100 mark.

Granted, with most remarks I have seen on this being stick to 80mm due to the geometry, would the ride improve enough to be noticeable keeping to the low price stuff?

Product related:

• I have been looking at headsets like FSA Orbit X or Extreme, Fire Eye X or XL - looks like I can find them in the 40 or below range and they seem to be pretty solid. Any opinions?
• What about stems? Stock bars were replaced with a race face riser but it's stock diameter (can't remember. 25.4 maybe? smaller than 31.8). There are a TON out there, but keeping in mind the pricepoint, any opinions on what I should look into?
• And still with the fork. I have VBrakes still and need to fit those. Do you think 100mm would be too much? And given so many strong opinions on new forks and brands to go with, what about used? I see some decent ones ranging in the $40-$60 range and it looks like it could be a good bargain upgrade.

Looking for honest and respectful opinions on this. Thanks.

[JRandomRider]

I'm looking at the bikepedia.com spec for the 1998 GT Outpost Trail. Does that look like what you have? (Sorry, no link, not enough rep. )

I've got a very similar old Trek that would have competed directly against that model at the time.

You're probably going to be better off sticking with the rigid fork. A suspension fork is going to have a larger axle-to-crown height -- often a lot larger. I suggest that you measure your fork and compare against the axle-to-crown height of various 80mm forks so you know what you're getting into. Those specs can be a little hard to come by but if you google a bit, you should be able to find them.

A taller fork will tend to make the bike steer a bit slower. It'll also raise the standover height, which might or might not matter depending on how much clearance you have. How big these effects are depends on how much taller the new fork is.

100mm is almost certainly a bad idea. 80mm might work, but I'm skeptical.

If it were me I'd do the upgrades you've already done and keep it rigid. A rigid bike is nice to have around even after you get something nicer. It's a great way to work on your skills, and besides, sometimes you just want a change of pace. Those old rigid MTBs are also some of the most versatile bikes you can get at any price, and fitting a suspension fork takes some of that away.

Even if you do decide to get a suspension fork, don't do it right away. Get yourself a nice set of wheels first. Speaking from personal experience, those single-wall Weinnmans that are specced on your bike won't take much abuse at all.

[Dion]

I hope this helps. My 1986 Rockhopper has become my main ride, and I'll probably race it at Sea Otter this year.

http://www.dionridesbikes.com/2012/1...iew-of-my.html

I've since upgraded my wheels since writing this post. I love my old bike!


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[DiRt DeViL]

A '99 Outpost Trail was my first real mtb, the geometry calls for a 80mm fork but you could put a 100mm without screwing things too much. Try to avoid used forks, you can't tell the condition until you ride it; try to find new old stock if possible or available.

For headsets I would get something with sealed bearings, FSA and Cane Creek come to mind.

Stem, if you plan on using your old bar get a 1 1/8" 25.4mm stem. Look for material, rise and length; get something made of Al to keep the cost down.

[CheapSk86]

Thanks for the insight from all. It is 1 1/8" and 25.4mm sounds right. I saw 26 somewhere which threw me off. Standover height is not an issue for me because I am mostly leg at 6'7" so I have room to work with it. I think the frame is a 26 - I'll have to check because it's been a while since I looked at it.

I haven't even begun to look at wheels but the ones there could definitely be replaced. Can anything fatter be fitted on them without screwing anything up? The stock ones are still on there and the tires on it are only the 2nd or 3rd set on it since owning it (i think second :-/ embarrassingly ). It could definitely use a new set of wheels and tires, but I haven't researched price or ratings on those yet.

I am not sure of either the stem length or a2c height right now but I should have that tomorrow, when I get a chance to not work and can measure it. If having a suspension fork on the front will mess up the ride or steering, I would shy away from it. The biggest issue I have right now is the trails around my area are rough, rocks and roots all over the place, almost untrimmed and groomed in some cases. I have been unintentionally airborn twice on them, and the steep grade down has left a slight rattle in my teeth. If the trade off of ride vs benefit over any of this is not there, then it wouldn't be worth it.

So far, for comparison sake, I have found a few al stems, 90-120mm 25.4mm with 6-10 deg rise around 5-15 $. Most are only 2 bolt, but it's what I have now and seems to be doing okay. The headsets I have been looking at have only been sealed bearings and the FSA and Fire Eye I have seen have more reasonable pricing on them for what they offer. I found some reviews on the FireEye Iris X and they seemed positive, mentioned very smooth action, and I have found it for around 40$ new, while the FSA Orbit X and Extreme have been around 50 + or -. The Cane Creek had extremely good reviews but fewer people seem to part with them, or they are not complete.

I haven't looked at new forks because of the costs. Do you have any pointers where to look at some that might be reasonable pricing? The attraction to the whole upgrade was the cost of used forks being had for sub 100, even sub 60$. Given that it's not going to be a race bike, I was looking at the lower to mid level ones.

Wow... that was longer than it felt when I first started typing...

[canker]

pinkbike and ebay
I've been looking to upgrade my old spare bike too so don't buy any of the ones I looking at

[DavyRay]

If you stay with the rigid fork, you may still want to get a fatter front tire. You may be able to find a lighter, stronger front wheel with a fatter front tire on it. A used wheel is not the risk that a used fork is.

[kjlued]

Breathing life in to older bikes is just plain cool.

That being said, I see it as a labor of love and not one of financial value.
You can very quickly have as much money dumped in it as the cost of a new bike. Sometimes you have to look past the financial rewards because they are not always there. Instead I choose to look at it for the passion rewards.

I have an old 1989 Giant Iguana that I tinker with occasionally.
Haven't quite figured out exactly what I am going to do with it as I know it will never take preference over either of my new 29er's. I think I am going to convert it over to road use for days that I get off work and don't have time to go to the trails.

[ferday]

I haven't looked at new forks because of the costs. Do you have any pointers where to look at some that might be reasonable pricing? The attraction to the whole upgrade was the cost of used forks being had for sub 100, even sub 60$. Given that it's not going to be a race bike, I was looking at the lower to mid level ones.

Wow... that was longer than it felt when I first started typing...

there's nothing at all wrong with getting a used fork, i've bought a half dozen off pinkbike in the last few years and never had a single problem with any of them. the ideal of course is to find one local so you can look at it, but again, i've gotten some from different countries and never had issues (not that it's guaranteed). one thing to watch for with used forks is the steer tube length, especially because you're tall you want a longer steer tube.

because you need v-brakes, you'll be likely to find a high end fork (for that time) for really, really cheap. for that era, i'd look at marzocchi bombers, a z1 or z3 would do you right, the old bombers are so easy to rebuild as well, and parts are cheap (seals, etc.). 100mm will be just fine (don't go higher!) and you'll likely notice an improvement in the handling, head angles were really steep back then. i've run all sorts of VRC bikes with longer than intended forks and instead of problems, i was rewarded with a better ride...YMMV

on that note as well, you could get a newer-ish fork with disc mounts and run a front mechanical disc, you can get a used bb7 for less than $20 a lot of times. not necessary but a nice upgrade...

don't get a used headset though, they are so cheap just get a new one. almost all new headsets are just fine, pretty simple part. as for stems, you can run whatever you want if you get a 31.8mm stem you can use spacers which work just fine...i run cheap stems to try length out and rarely end up replacing with a better stem.

[CheapSk86]

pinkbike and ebay
I've been looking to upgrade my old spare bike too so don't buy any of the ones I looking at

Haha. I won't. I am pretty cheap and overly cautious on price so you're probably safe.

there's nothing at all wrong with getting a used fork, i've bought a half dozen off pinkbike in the last few years and never had a single problem with any of them. the ideal of course is to find one local so you can look at it, but again, i've gotten some from different countries and never had issues (not that it's guaranteed). one thing to watch for with used forks is the steer tube length, especially because you're tall you want a longer steer tube.

because you need v-brakes, you'll be likely to find a high end fork (for that time) for really, really cheap. for that era, i'd look at marzocchi bombers, a z1 or z3 would do you right, the old bombers are so easy to rebuild as well, and parts are cheap (seals, etc.). 100mm will be just fine (don't go higher!) and you'll likely notice an improvement in the handling, head angles were really steep back then.

See, I read if I did it don't go greater than 80mm. And then someone in this thread said even that will make it harder to steer or will throw off geometry. This is the crux of my whole hesitation right now.

don't get a used headset though, they are so cheap just get a new one. almost all new headsets are just fine, pretty simple part.

Most of the ones I have been interested in were shown as brand new, just cheap or closeout. I liked the sounds of the FireEye because cost + reviews. Cane Creek seems to have the top following and reviews and some higher prices too. And then FSA seems to be in between. I am just not familiar with any of those and how they might hold up long term.

as for stems, you can run whatever you want if you get a 31.8mm stem you can use spacers which work just fine...i run cheap stems to try length out and rarely end up replacing with a better stem.

I was looking at 1 or both of these stems or something like them, based on how they might perform. 25.4 stems for sale - Pinkbike

Both are cheap and for the cost I could test the length and height. Both state a 10deg +/- rise and given my height, I thought it might help. I have to measure my stock to compare, but I am thinking my riser bar + a slight increase in stem would help. Of course, it depends on steerer length too.

I definitely like "breathing new life" to it, and I love doing stuff like this. I am worse with cars... upgrade and tinker like mad... which is MUCH more expensive.

[DiRt DeViL]

Check this thread about 100mm forks with v-brake posts. 100mm won't hurt your steering, more travel will thou.

Like the idea of a mechanical or even a hydro front disk brake but wonder about the feel, I just like to have the feeling of my levers about the same.

You should be able to run a 2.4 front tire with no problems.

[CheapSk86]

Check this thread about 100mm forks with v-brake posts. 100mm won't hurt your steering, more travel will thou.

Like the idea of a mechanical or even a hydro front disk brake but wonder about the feel, I just like to have the feeling of my levers about the same.

You should be able to run a 2.4 front tire with no problems.

Thanks. I'll check some of those out. As for
brakes, I'd like to keep from going to disc right now if I can just to keep expenses in line and feel the same from front to back.

[CheapSk86]

I am still looking for the right deal and price/quality on a used fork but I haven't seen it yet to make this work out.

That being said, someone recommended looking into new wheels as well. I have not even looked into the wheels yet nor have I compared rubber as well. Any recommendations? I would imagine fork might have something to do with it. Granted, I will be sticking to 26ers so I know there is a ton out there. I just don't know what to look for or where to start yet.

[DiRt DeViL]

That being said, someone recommended looking into new wheels as well. I have not even looked into the wheels yet nor have I compared rubber as well. Any recommendations? I would imagine fork might have something to do with it. Granted, I will be sticking to 26ers so I know there is a ton out there. I just don't know what to look for or where to start yet.

Ebay, look for sealed bearing hubs and if affordable UST (tubeless) compatible rims just in case you want to go tubeless, the Mavic Crossride come to mind but there are several brands and builds out there, be patient and buy wisely.

Here's a link to get you started.

[CheapSk86]

Ebay, look for sealed bearing hubs and if affordable UST (tubeless) compatible rims just in case you want to go tubeless, the Mavic Crossride come to mind but there are several brands and builds out there, be patient and buy wisely.

Here's a link to get you started.

Is there a huge advantage to the tubeless for single-track and mountain/xc riding? I have looked into all the other components and am comfortable with those pieces on the bike in all my endeavors but tires are an area I haven't jumped into yet.

[DiRt DeViL]

Is there a huge advantage to the tubeless for single-track and mountain/xc riding? I have looked into all the other components and am comfortable with those pieces on the bike in all my endeavors but tires are an area I haven't jumped into yet.

Tubeless lets you run lower pressures thus providing better grip and also with the sealant lets you go on in case of punctures, tubeless tires are a bit more expensive thou but having UST ready rims just gives you the flexibility of being able to ride any kind of tire tubed or not.

Tubleless doesn't translate to weight savings IMO.

[CheapSk86]

Tubeless lets you run lower pressures thus providing better grip and also with the sealant lets you go on in case of punctures, tubeless tires are a bit more expensive thou but having UST ready rims just gives you the flexibility of being able to ride any kind of tire tubed or not.

Tubleless doesn't translate to weight savings IMO.

I am not worried about weight on this bike. The next one might make me concerned more but for this build it's not a huge issue for me.

The grip and ride are more important.

[DiRt DeViL]

Forks on eBay.

[CheapSk86]

Just realized another thing I have to watch for is the VBrake compatibility for wheels. I am not changing the brakes out quite yet so if I upgrade the wheels, they are going to have to support Vs.

[CS2]

I hope this helps. My 1986 Rockhopper has become my main ride, and I'll probably race it at Sea Otter this year.

DionRidesBikes.com: Bringing 1986 into 2013 - REVIEW of My "Modernized" 1986 Specialized Rockhopper Comp

I've since upgraded my wheels since writing this post. I love my old bike!


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I've got one sitting in the garage.

[maxforce]

CheapSk86, pictures please.

[CheapSk86]

I'll see if I can clean up the garage a bit this weekend and also a couple. I think I just found my missing rear axle spacer.

[CheapSk86]

Ran out of time this weekend with Easter and cleanup but got a little closer to getting the bike out to wrap it up. Didn't realize how much crap I crammed in the garage before the last big snow storm.