shift10beazy

So today a neighbor gave me this 94' 18 speed GT Outpost All Terra and its in pretty bad shape. I'm new to the bike world, very mechanically inclined, and looking to learn some more about bike mechanics. It's ride-able after a few adjustments to the rear derailleur and breaks but is not quite safe as the rear wheel is wobbling at the hub. I'm Looking to make it into a winter commuter as cheap as possible. I know i need front and rear wheels, new chain, front derailleur(Altus C-50 witch i removed completely at the moment) , rear(Alvio MC-10) shifts well but not in the best shape, and shifters (Altus C-50) and cables. So my many questions are...

1) Anyone have any experience with these bikes
2) Are there certain parts that i have to look for to be compatible with the chainring and casset? Witch i would like to keep.
3) Can i get a new front and rear derailleur and do i have to match the chain to them or will any 6 speed chain work?
4) Will any 6 speed shifters work.
5) Also will any 26 in rims and do they have to be specific for dropouts or are they universal, and any recommended replacements?
6) And if i were to upgrade the rear casset to say a 7 or 8 speed what all does that involve?
7) Any suggestions for parts would be appreciated.

I'm sorry if i'm not specific enough, these are dumb questions, or have to many questions. I'm sure i have many and more questions as well.
Thanks for any input.

NJgreyhead

I can tell you that my 1996 GT Outpost, 21-speed, is a real good commuter bike for me. Original Shimano Altus and Acera components work well even tho they are not high-end. With the oversized cro-mo tubing, added racks and fenders, 2" street tires, the thing is like a Jeep.

Number400

I love my gt! Get some parts from donor bikes and build it up! Any bits should work. When I first built mine, I used inexpensive Sram x-3 shifters and matching RD and left everything else stock. Nashbar should have some cheap but sturdy wheels.

Bill Kapaun

2. You have a Free Wheel, not a Free Hub/cassette.
Freewheel or Cassette?

4. It has to be compatible with the brand of the DER IF indexed. As long as you stay Shimano/SRAM compatible, you should be good.

5. Measure the drop out spacing. 1994 may be 135MM. That would simplify any upgrades to more speeds.

6. You can get a 7 speed Free Wheel. Any more speeds than that and you pretty much need a wheel with a Free Hub. See 5.

7. Clean & lube your cables before worrying about replacing shifters or DER's.

nfmisso

"the rear wheel is wobbling at the hub" probably means that it needs the bearing balls replaced, grease and adjustment. Which is the place to start - less than $5- for a bag of balls, a couple of dollars for boat trailer wheel bearing grease. You will need cone wrenches, and metric open wrenches.

I have had experience with three different GT MTBs from the era. They are nice riding and rugged.

shift10beazy

Wow thanks for the enlightenment, I had no idea that there was a difference there...So if i were to get a new wheel it would have to have a freewheel compatible hub to use the same freewheel?

When i measured the dropout spacing from both inside edge and got 133MM. Where does that number mater when looking for new parts?

Other than that cleaned and lubed everything and i think i can get away with just a front derailleur and cable for that.
Thanks for the clarification.

shift10beazy

Thanks good to know i'm not sure if i want to try and salvage the wheels yet or not the rim is pretty wobbly all around other than the play in the hub.

Bill Kapaun

135mm has been a pretty standard width since that era. Most MB wheel sets will come in that.
Free Wheel hubs are pretty standard, but if you plan on upgrading to "more speeds" in the future, buy a Free Hub.

I looked at the bike and it appears to be SunTour shifters/DER's.
Those AREN'T Shimano compatible. I you upgrade to more speeds, you'll need new shifters/DER'sanyway.

IF you plan to go to more speeds, buy an 8/9 speed hub, shifters & DER's now.
9 speed parts don't cost but a bit more than fewer speeds. You would need a 9 speed chain. Trying to upgrade piecemeal is much more expensive.

dsbrantjr

OP states shifters and derailleurs are Shimano.

Bill Kapaun

I got it mixed up with the 83 Rockhopper in another thread

shift10beazy

Thanks good to know. That narrows down what to look for.

They are Shimano if that changes anything. Shimano sis MF HG-20 freewheel with Alivio MC-10 derailleur in the rear, the front is Shimano C-50 chainring with Altus C50 FD-OT50 derailleur stock,and shifters are Altus C50 as well. I think all i would only upgrade to is a 7 speed when my rear derailleur fails. Unless i can find a 8/9 speed rear wheel with casset now and ill go with free hub setup.

Carlton B

I purchased a GT Outpost 18-speed back in '91 thought I would tell you about it. The 18-speed is notable for its cheap componentry. I had the bike about 18 months and rode it full time (no car) about 14 months. I rode it on pavement and never went on the dirt. It had more than 5000 miles on it.
Everytime I got near a sandburr the tires went flat, so I replaced the cheap tubes with heavy duty tubes and added Slime. The cheap spokes broke several times, they wouldn't stay adjusted, so the wheels were out of true and always wobbled. The cheap chain broke three times before I replaced it with a better chain. The cheap pedals fell apart, so I replaced them. The seat shredded, so I replaced it. The handlebar grips shredded, so I replaced them. The brake pads wore out quickly, so I replaced them. There was no cap under the handlebar cylinder, rainwater got into the frame and washed away the crank bearing grease, so I had to get that repacked. A couple of months later, the crank broke in half(!!). The rear gears started slipping, so I replaced them. The shifter malfunctioned, so I replaced it. I got a cheap Chinese bike so I would have something to ride when the GT was in the shop.
The only parts that were indestructable were the frame, forks and handlebars. If I were you I would replace everything else, especially the wheels.
Nevertheless, I loved the GT to death. I have had a couple of Mongooses and a Bianchi, but I liked my GTs best.
I got a GT Outpost 21 speed around 1996, and have had it twenty years. It has about 18000 miles on it. It has much better componentry. I have had to replace many worn out parts, but never had a broken spoke. Just thought you would be interested.

Papa Tom

I've got the '96 and love it, too. I am not sure how different it is from the '94, but I never have trouble replacing parts with stuff off the shelves.