Mountain Biking - Just bought it. Please tell me about it.

hey i just bought this bike from goodwill. i think/hope i got a good price.

if you could tell me anything you know about the bike that would be sweet. i haven't picked it up yet so the only pics i have are from their website. as you can see i spent 40 on it. Im notmally in the classic and vintage forums but i decided i wanted a mountain bike.

the year would be helpful if you could figure it out from the less than awesome pics.

thanks

here is a link to the website http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=4676541

Looks like a good candidate for a SS conversion. The frame/fork itself is worth at least 40$ IMO. A new chain, pads, brake cables/housings, tubes and SS conversion kit will cost about the same, and you have yourself a decent 80$ SS. Would make a nice townie/grocery getter.

The pictures you linked are not so great and they are taken on the wrong side of the bike, but I would guess it is a 99-97. It is very hard to tell from your picture. As far as price, I think you did good. Get out there and ride. Give us some better pictures when you get it please.

Looks like its a '97. Here is a BikePedia
(http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1997&Brand=GT&Model=Backwoods&Type=bike) link.

Goodwill has a website?

^^^ I know, I thought that too.. I looked around and saw a hunting knife going to $1150. I thought goodwill was supposed to cheap.

Actually, I remember trying to donate clothes to a local one a few months ago and they said they couldn't accept them because there were not good enough to sell. ****, they were pretty good clothes, just to big for me.

Back on topic tho. Make sure you post some close shots of the bike when you get it. Looks liek you got a great deal

sweet thanks. im picking it up thursday so ill drop some pictures here once i can.

also a single speed does sound appetizing.

Just got the bike today, and fixed it up as well as i could in a very short amount of time. everything works except the rear derailleur. The frame is aluminum and is lighter than my old chromo road bike.

like i said the rear derailleur doesn't work. as you can see in the pics the cable is frayed and such, so i need to get a new cable i guess. im still poor at fixed the derailleurs though, and im not sure what to do with it, or how to go about installing a new cable, it will be a learning experience.

anything else you can tell me would be kool. here are the pics, im not super good at pic taking so if there is another angle, side, or whatever that would be usefull feel free to suggest.

when i got the bike the little ring that keeps the seat post in was popped off. the front break was poorly adjusted and missing a pad. also i dont know how to post pics within the text box so they are as thumbnail attachments.

thanks

Mmmmmm....triple triangle.
If its a 10+ year old alum mtb, make sure there's no cracks/dents anywhere on the frame. You can get a shimano tourney or altus rear der for $15-$30 at your lbs and have a geared bike.
Not the best components out there, but will get ya goin' for the time being.
Congrats.

Very nice. Id say spend like 50 or so and go SS. Your LBS should have some older used cranks with removable rings for cheap. the hyper drive cranks are riveted, so they can't be separated. And 30 or so for a SS conversion kit for the rear. I with my good will had stuff like that. Mine normally only has huffys and roadmasters and junk.

I may be wrong on those cranks. they don't look like hyperdrive, but they still may be riveted.

If i go SS what size chainring/cog should i go with. keep in mind i live in central ohio, I.e. moderate to flat terrain.