Trying to teach my old bike new tricks...

[Andrea]

I pulled my old (early 90's) Univega MTB out of storage and did a bit of refurbishing. I got the bike when I was 12 or 13 because I destroyed a WalMart bike on some small dirt jumps near my house. My dad was nice enough to go to the bike shop & ask for the cheapest bike we could get that would NOT get destroyed on dirt jumps, so I ended up with this beast...





I rode it around my neighborhood (as well as on the little dirt jumps!) for a few years, but lost interest when I got a car, so it had been in the garage/storage up until about a month ago.

Since I began riding, I've only trained/competed in road races, so I had never actually ridden trails until yesterday & today (though I run them on a regular basis). Other than some bruising where my butt got into a fight with a big root, I have had a good time during my trail outings.

[Zen]

How much does your beast weigh?

mine is about the same age and HEAVY but I still ride it on the canal and have no plans to get rid of it (but I'd trade it in a minute if I had funds).

[PscyclePath]

Andrea:

Does the bike still fit you? I mean, frame size & standover height; saddle height, are you comfortable reaching for the handlebars? Can it still be adjusted to fit you now that you're grown? If so, it's probably still a good bike.

If not, then consider swapping it for a new ride...

Another thing to consider is how much it will cost you to repair or replace any worn-out parts. If more than a hundred bucks or so, then think about a new bike.

Tom

[Andrea]

I haven't put it on the scale, but I'm guessing that it weighs in around 30 pounds.

It actually seems like a good fit, though I'm not very well-versed in MTB fitting. The way it's adjusted in the pictures is how I ride it, and I'm pretty comfortable (except for the elbow & wrist aches that come with lots of roots and no suspension).

So far, I've spent about $90, which includes a new right shifter, 7 speed cassette, chain, brake and derailleur housings and cables, as well as some cheap nashbar clipless pedals. I also cleaned and greased the wheel and headset bearings. The left shifter needs to be replaced as well, but I didn't realize that until it quit working as soon as I fixed everything else!

[DirtDiva]

Heh. Maybe it wanted to become a singlespeed. Definitely wants to hit those DJs again.

[Irulan]

heh, rigid singlespeed.

See if you can't find some old V brakes to put on that thing.