I wanted to introduce myself here. I just started to ride again this past week after a layoff of 10 years or so. It is depressing to think it has been that long. Once you settle down, start a family and take on a career it is diffuclt to find time for riding. A few friends of mine have decided they, like me, need to get some excersise and take of some of this extra weight we have added over the past couple of years:rolleyes:
I had a couple questions about my bike. It is a '97 GT Avalance LE. I got this bike not long before I stopped riding so it hasn't been beaten up to bad. After a week or so of riding, I ordered a new seat to better suit my new size;) (along with a new helmet and some riding shorts) I adjusted the derailers and it now shifts pretty well. Everything on the bike is stock including the tires. Has there been any major changes to bikes within the past years that I must do in order to make this bike more efficient? Should I change the tires? It seems like the newer tires are a bit different and I'm not sure why?
Thanks for helping me out. Now it is time to put some miles in on the saddle.
late
07-07-08, 09:51 AM
What sort of bike is that? Exactly what tires does it have? Where will you ride it (street,path,trail, MtEverest)?
Yeah, bikes are better. I'd change the tires, partly due to age, partly to get a quality tire that was designed for the type of riding you'll be doing.
richking1953
07-07-08, 09:55 AM
Hi David, welcome back to biking. I searched and found that bike on the 'net, it looks like a nice hardtail mountain bike. Are you going to be riding it on the road or the trails? If on the road, you could speed it up some by getting skinnier, slicker tires instead of the "knobbies" it probably came with. But if you're not too worried about your speed, I might recommend wearing out the stock tires first.
Otherwise, as long as you comfortable and it shifts ok, I don't see why you'd need to make any other changes. I got back into biking a few years back and spent the first couple of years happily getting in shape on a bike similar to yours.
Changes in tires since '97: A lot of tires now have kevlar belts for flat protection, and there are a lot more "road oriented" (skinnier, slicker) tires available in the 26" size because of the market for "hybrid" bikes
BCIpam
07-07-08, 09:59 AM
ditto on the tires just due to age...
What you have to assess is the riding you do... strictly road, strictly trail, bike path, on and off road what? The basis concept of cycling hasn't change forever - two wheels, frame, a seat and you have to pedal to make the bike go... but of course there is lots of new equipment out there - do you need it? Probably not.
I would just check the bike and make sure there are no cracks, rust etc. Make sure it is well lubed, the tires have been changed, you have the right air in the tires and just go out and ride.
Just a note: I don't know your bike - if it's a mountain bike or has knobby tires, and you like to ride road or path, you want want to swap the tires out for slicks. The bike will roll easier and faster.
Burningman
07-07-08, 10:02 AM
Welcome
New tires are always a good place to start....because they are what you are riding on...you'll be more sure of your traction and stability.
If you are sure of your tires then you can think of twicking other stuff later...tires are one of the cheapest places to start,too.
bautieri
07-07-08, 10:06 AM
Hello, welcome to the forums.
Thirded on tires, also reccomending new tubes. It would also be a pretty good idea to have your LBS give it a tune up as it has likly been the better part of ten years since it last had one. Spoke tension would be a good thing to have looked at. Other than that, enjoy riding your new (old) friend!
Pics of said steed?
DavidR1
07-07-08, 10:30 AM
Thanks for all the help guys. The Avalanche that I have is a hardtail mountain bike. It does have knobby tires and I believe the size is 2.1 front and back. I will look into changing these as well as the tubes. I ride mostly on trails, some single track and some graded gravel trails. Any recommendations?
Wogsterca
07-07-08, 04:24 PM
I wanted to introduce myself here. I just started to ride again this past week after a layoff of 10 years or so. It is depressing to think it has been that long. Once you settle down, start a family and take on a career it is diffuclt to find time for riding. A few friends of mine have decided they, like me, need to get some excersise and take of some of this extra weight we have added over the past couple of years:rolleyes:
I had a couple questions about my bike. It is a '97 GT Avalance LE. I got this bike not long before I stopped riding so it hasn't been beaten up to bad. After a week or so of riding, I ordered a new seat to better suit my new size;) (along with a new helmet and some riding shorts) I adjusted the derailers and it now shifts pretty well. Everything on the bike is stock including the tires. Has there been any major changes to bikes within the past years that I must do in order to make this bike more efficient? Should I change the tires? It seems like the newer tires are a bit different and I'm not sure why?
Thanks for helping me out. Now it is time to put some miles in on the saddle.
If the bike is more then 10 years old, it's probably a good idea to put on new tires, tubes and brake pads, these parts rubber, and as rubber ages it off gases, leaving it hard and brittle, this is why old tires often have cracks. For tubes, go with the cheapest, and pick up at least one extra. A small pump and set of PLASTIC tire levers.
If you ride on the road, go with smooth, narrow, high pressure tires (80PSI or higher), if you go off road, you want knobby, wide, low pressure tires (65PSI or lower). Some riders, who do some of both, actually have two sets of identical wheels one with smooth tires, and one with knobby tires (although many riders also have 2 bikes, one for road and one for off road, the number of bikes needed is the number you have + 1 :D).
Mechanically there really are not that many improvements, even though Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo would like to convince you, that the mechanisms this year are so much better then the ones they made last year. About the only differences in the last 30 years, is indexed shifting, and ramps and pins to help the chain to move from one gear to another. There are also cartridge bottom brackets, which means replacing the mechanism instead of rebuilding it.
EatMyA**
07-07-08, 04:36 PM
Change the chain!
BCIpam
07-07-08, 04:58 PM
OK just some silliness.... if you go into a bike store - don't look at all the new bikes... there is a world of diffence between a 1997 mountain bike and something out now - this will start you coveting what you don't have and we all know where that leads... yes that's right, spending money.
I'm not certain you need to change out the chain unless it's worn. A bike shop of a simple chain measure can tell you that. If you plan on staying on trail and not doing road, then get some new knobbies. Check in the MTB forum for all sorts of recommendations on the tires (and tubes). I would also think about having your front shock checked to make sure it's functioning and the mechanism is not worn or corroded. Nothing worse than a shock failing when needed (been there done that!). Just start out easy and make sure the bike is working properly before you go and do anything crazy.
rthomse
07-07-08, 06:04 PM
I just upgraded my mountain bike. Old: 1993 Performance M200 ,Cromoly,21 speed LX , hardtail. Could'nt see upgrading this bike for the price of a new one. New:Gary Fisher Marlin,sweeet!!!!