Mountain Biking - my new ride

Well I won the auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1180215092&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=998962391&indexURL=0&rd=1
What do ya'll think? Did I do good? I'm a little uneasy because I couldn't go see the bike before I bid. I really like the bike and they just don't make them like this anymore. I plan on making it into kind of a touring/commuter bike with slicks and fenders maybe even a rear rack. Comments and opinions welcome.

Yeah I think so. You are right they do not make these anymore. Nice "old school rig"! once you get it let me know and I will direct you through a little trick with the brakes. This wil enhance the performance. That is if you do not plan on switching them.

Thanks, Hunter. I plan on giving the bike a good going over when I get it. I'd definitely be interested in better braking performance. Do you have any experience with the Miyata brand? Their bikes seem to be very well made, but I've never had a chance to actually ride one.

Nice bike. Old XT components should last a while. And of course the thumbies always get the thumbs up (no pun intended) from me.

Thanks RiderX. The thumbies will be a new experience for me. I've been on my BaSS almost exclusively for over a year now, so having multiple gear ratios will be a big change.

Good job with SSO #2. I loved the review of Sleater-Kinney. That album is golden.

Hi Thbirks,

That's a really nice bike, seems like a good deal too. I currently own a MTB of around the same generation, and it's lasted really well, still running Shimano XT from about 8 or 9 years ago.

Hope it works out well for you...you never know, it a few years time, you could have a classic!

Greg Herbold used to ride Miyata bikes, and he was world downhill champion, so that gives you an idea of their pedigree.

Have fun on it.........Rich

Originally posted by thbirks
Good job with SSO #2. I loved the review of Sleater-Kinney. That album is golden.
That's what I like to hear, another Sleater-Kinney fan. I think "Dig Me Out" is my favorite though. Glad you liked the issue.

Got a new project bike myself (circa 1990 Specialized), plan on making it a commuter set up also. It's got Suntour thumbies, but I'm going to set it up as another SS.

The bike arrived today. I'm rather pleased with it although it has more scratches then I expected. There's some minor things that need attention and I plan on regreasing everything. I impressed with the old XT parts and the quality of the frame. It doesn't look like the bike has seen many miles. The chainrings and cogs don't appear to have much wear.

The seller said the tires were in usable condition. Well, I put 60psi in them and rode it around the yard. The front tire felt wobbly and then I noticed the threads of the sidewall had torn and I could see the inner tube. Oops. Later I went out into the garage and watched all the air go out of the back tire. Oh well, I was planning on new tires anyway.

Since I wasn't into bikes back when this bike was new I have a couple question about it. One, What's with the back brake mounting under the chainstays? I mean what's the idea behind that? Also the chainrings are Biopace. I didn't really notice a difference in my short ride but what's the opinion on this? Oh, also the bike came with one of those Hite-rite seat positioning dodads. Cool, but I don't think I'll be using it. I love the thumbshifters though.

Biopace - Ovalized chainrings that were supposed to maximize power through the weak parts of the pedal stroke. You can probably find a better explanation at
www.sheldonbrown.com/harris

Under chainstay mounted brakes were typical of U-brake mounts in those days. Not sure of the real reason why they were mounted in that position though. Sheldon Brown's site probably has some info on that also. Can't tell from the photos if your bike has the U-brakes or not.

Have fun w/ the new ride.:thumbup:

Thanks, Sheldon Brown to the rescue again. Apparently mounting the u-brakes under the chainstays gave the bike a cleaner look and better braking as the chainstays didn't flex as much as the seatstays. However the drawbacks are that they easily clog with mud, make wheel removal difficult, and make servicing the brakes difficult.

Sheldon actually likes the Biopace rings.;)


Anybody have suggestions on some MTB slicks.

Glad you like the bike matey,

I'd recommend Specialized Fat Boy tires..they kick a$$.

Enjoy the ride!

Rich

Nice bike dude!I'd love to have that.XT thumbies own!I might
have to try and find myself some.Ahhh,memories.

Well, the Ebay ad expired and I thought I post some updated photos. Wish I had taken some before pictures.:mad:

I took the bike down to the frame, threw a new un72 bottom bracket in, put new grease and balls in the hubs and headset, gave it new cables and housing, and swapped the old seat from my Bianchi BaSS on it. It was coming together nicely. Christmas came around and I got a set of Tom Ritchey slicks and Planet bike fenders from my parents. Nice!

I picked up the brand-new blackburn rack on Ebay for $12.50 and slathered the bike with reflective tape and reflectors.

I figure I've got about $300 into the bike and it works and feels like it could outlive me. The only downsides are the 6speed cassette and the biopace chainrings. 6speed cassettes are rather hard to locate and the Biopace rings are just stupid.
:p I've really enjoyed this project and I'm kinda bummed that the bike is pretty much completed. Maybe it's time for another little project:beer:

'nother view

Great to see an eBay auction working out for you :) I am a big proponent of eBay, and have just recently bought a bike there myself. Seems to be working out well thus far, and I hope to post some pics this weekend when my buddy shows up with a camera :p


Dax

Interesting concept ebay. I know there are safeguards in place, but how reliable and secure is it? I'm sure there are scam merchants out there.

Originally posted by Bokkie
Interesting concept ebay. I know there are safeguards in place, but how reliable and secure is it? I'm sure there are scam merchants out there.

I've had over 200 transactions, some as a seller, some as a buyer and only had one or two very minor problems. If you check peoples feedback carefully you're probably fairly safe. Just don't be stupidly careless.

Richard

Richard, what would be the problems to look for? I think if anyone wants to run a scam, they'll be in collusion with people who give good feedback, and who make out to be very authentic and sincere sellers. Sorry, I'm trying not to be cynical about these things especially considering your experience has been very good with it. I prefer face-to-face contact where I can, but having said that, I've bought things from internet sites, but they have generally been larger companies where the reputation and bona fides have been well proven in the marketplace.

yes, some general guidelines I follow:

I shy away from very new members with no feedback selling an expensive item.

If the seller has poor english speaking skills, or communication is poor, or they have excessive negative feedback - I stay away.

Whenever possible, I pay for auctions with paypal for added security.

Does anyone have anything else to add to this?

Another thing you can do, if you are interested in a pricey item, is ask the seller for their phone number so you can communicate with them in person. This is usually a good way to get a feel for their personality, and might set you at ease.

It is very safe, and in 3+ years of buying and selling, I have had one buyer refuse to pay. That is my worst experience on eBay.
:)

I like eBay so much, I was an investor for a while! :p

Dax

Originally posted by Bokkie
Richard, what would be the problems to look for? I think if anyone wants to run a scam, they'll be in collusion with people who give good feedback, and who make out to be very authentic and sincere sellers. Sorry, I'm trying not to be cynical about these things especially considering your experience has been very good with it. I prefer face-to-face contact where I can, but having said that, I've bought things from internet sites, but they have generally been larger companies where the reputation and bona fides have been well proven in the marketplace.

I think ebay operates on the principal, that basically most people are honest. I've never been scammed, the closest I came to was a mis-leading description, but I returned the item and got a full refund without any hassle.

Obviously don't buy from someone with a high % of negative or neutral feedback. I wouldn't worry about the odd one or two if they've had a lot of dealings (whoever left the comment may have been a **** themselves). If a comment worries you a bit, look at the trading record of the person who left the comment on the poential seller. Look carefully at neutral comments - some people use neutral when they've had a bad experience.

Look out for lots of small sales (or even purchases) of low value goods before a sudden sale of a high cost item(that's reputedly the most common scam).

If it's a large item consider the third part options ebay offers. If you can pay by credit card do so (but don't email them your card details;)). If using paypal watch out for known problem countries - former Soviet Union, Phillipines etc.

Just be careful but not paranoid ;)

Thanks for that Richard. BTW, I have a Ridgeback hybrid that my wife wants to sell. It cost about £175, I'm selling it for £25000 and I'll be in Manilla next week, then somewhere in Albania the week after. All you have to do is give me your credit card details and I'll bill you only £10 for the bike. Dont' be put off by my trading name, Honest Shifty-Eyes Zambesi Sam - The Cyclists Friend.