Mountain Biking - Help me identify this bike... (GT)

I bought this bike, for a relly good price, actually practically for free..from my uncle.

he tells me its actually a zaskar frame... (should i believe him?)

can anyone here confirm, if its true and what year model would it be ?

i want to use it as a training bike ..... and the geometry feels very fast and comfortable...

the rear brake is different... old school ?


http://www.micro-op.com.au/execls1/gt1.jpg
http://www.micro-op.com.au/execls1/gt2.jpg
http://www.micro-op.com.au/execls1/gt3.jpg

On the chain stays, are there eyelets that could be used for such things as a rack? They would be down near the dropouts and on the upper tubes.

I think so...none on the upper tubes though.... does that mean its not a zaskar ?

http://www.micro-op.com.au/execls1/gt4.jpg

About the rear brake...

It looks like a U-Brake. The front is just a regular cantilever.

The pivot studs for a U-brake are different in different locations in relation to the rim than they are for cantilevers. It looks as though the frame was designed to work with U-brakes, and the fork was designed to work with cantilever type brakes. This is why the bike has two different types of braking systems. Is the fork an upgrade? I wonder if the bike originally came with a rigid fork up front that used a U-Brake?

-Moab

P.S. - I am recalling this from memory of working on others' bikes. Please feel free to correct me if any of this does not match someone else's experience.

the fork is not original... and i want to put a rigid back on there...

as for the rear brake... it says 'dia-compe 990'

I had a GT Tequesta over ten years ago with a 'u' brake on the rear, but it was under the bottom bracket. canti on the front.

Looks like a zaskar with the semi-trials type geometry and the u-brake studs which (correct me if I'm wrong...) work well with the old hydraulic magura's that were also popular with trials riders.

Between the brake setup, crankset and headset size and type, I'd say its no older than 1992, but no newer than perhaps 1997

It is in great shape. From the color, I'm guessing it's the Team Replica, probably early 90's, no later than '95.

Enjoy!
L8R

If you have the serial number why dont you check with GT? maybe they can help...

Man I had a pair of Kerma ski poles that colour, circa 1990.....

Originally posted by C_M_1
the fork is not original... and i want to put a rigid back on there...

Did it originally have a rigid fork? If so then you'll want to get a non-suspension-corrected rigid fork. That might be a bit hard to find these days.


Originally posted by C_M_1
as for the rear brake... it says 'dia-compe 990'

You can normally find that brake on BMX bikes.

The bike looks practically brand new. The rear drop out looks as if it's never been opened.

Yep I rang GT, over here and they told me its definatly Hand built in the U.S. Zaskar and is basically what in later years became the Zaskar LE... its made of 6061 alloy , but he couldn't tell me exactly what year but should be around 93-94 ...

so good news... thanks for your help guys...