Mountain Biking - Newbie returning to an old saddle w/questions

Newbie here wants to start riding again after about a 6 year hiatus. I have a 1995-1996 Giant Iguana - stock (Chrome Moly, no suspension). Besides taking it for a good tuneup, what else do you recommend? Do I need to replace the tires (if they are rotted) or anything else. I'm getting the bike shipped to me so I'm not sure of the condition. It's been garage kept.

I want to know what I am going to need to do to get it in riding condition. I don't want the LBS telling me I need a whole new bike. I plan on starting out easy and going from there.

Eventually I would like to replace the front forks with some shocks. What's a decent low cost shock?

Any other advice would be appreciated. I'm right outside Atlanta, so if any Georgia boys on here can tell me where to ride that would be cool.

Thanks,

gschmelt :

Just ride!

Worry about what you need later. You'll figure it out as you go.

Remember your first couple rides will be painful. Keep them short. Your butt is going to be sore after such a long hiatus. A couple days riding around your neighborhood before hitting the trail is a good recommendation. You butt muscles (gluteus maximus) need to be conditioned to hold your weight on a small saddle again.

As far as your bike goes. Get it tuned up and replace what's broken. After a few rides you'll figure out what you want/need. A decent fork will run you about $150 to $200 on closeout for starters. $300 to $500 for good ones. (probably more than you'll want to spend on a 6 year old +/- bike. You'd probably be better off buying a $500 bike that is all brand new vs. upgrading an older bike with an expensive fork.

Thanks for the advice a2psyklut!