bicyclridr4life

I have a 1988 Fuji Mt. Fuji Mountain bike, which has a fully lugged triple butted steel frame. My frame has no dents, cracks, rust, or other defects. This bike was the "top of the line" in Fuji's line up in 1988, and according to Fuji, had a suggested retail of $899.00 (a lot of bread then and now) The frame is comparable in quality to a lugged Trek 940/950 or Bianchi mountain bike of the same era.

I would like opinions as to whether this bike worth upgrading to modern components, and the reasoning behind the opinion.

This bike does have the canti/v-brake bosses on the seat stays, and the geometry is not conducive to installing a suspension fork, unless of the old Schwinn or Hawthorn "Springer" type "suspension" forks, and I will admit that the Hawthorn springer would be kinda cool, especially with a drum or disk brake front wheel.
This frame also has braze-on's for two bottle cages, rear rack (including the front mounts), and fenders, so it could be used for touring. I tried a set of 700C wheels and tires on it, and they fit with no problems, so conversion to a 700C Road/Touring bike is also not out of the question.

I know that upgrading components can cost as much (or more) than buying a new bike. I intend to use SACHS components, since Suntour is no longer an option, I detest Shimano, and cannot afford even used Campy, not to mention that used Campy Mountain Bike shifters, dérailleurs, and brakes are "rarer than hen's fangs."

Thanks in advance, I look forward to the replies.

Steve

bicyclridr4life

Sorry, forgot the picture

discosaurus

Will you ride the bike a lot if you rebuild it?

Answer that, and there's the answer to your question.

mparker326

Unless the components that are on there are worn out I wouldn't replace them. Nice bike, BTW.

wrk101

+1 Unless components have failed/worn out, I would leave well enough alone.

If you do upgrade, if you are patient, I would highly recommend finding a donor bike (thrift store/garage sale, that type of thing), otherwise you will likely put a lot more into this bike than it is worth. I found a good donor bike a few weeks back, for $10, all Suntour components. I paid $18 for another bike all Suntour. They are out there if you are not in a big rush.

I really like my 92 Trek 950 (the last year for the lugged frame). I agree the steel lugged frame rigid mountain bikes are sweet.

roccobike

If you detest Shimano, there's not much to discuss. There is one change I would consider, but it will only be economical if your shifters and brake levers are separate, not combined units. If they are separate, I would consider changing to V brakes. Used good quality V's are easy to find cheap and so are the required replacement levers for V brakes. Other than that l wouldn't make any changes. If the brake levers/shifters are combined units, I wouldn't bother making any changes.

epicurean

I like the look of an old lugged mountain bike set up as a light-tourer/all-arounder--with moustache bars, slick tires, and some racks/panniers. Lots of examples if you search around the forum a bit. That might be a fun thing to consider...