Noob/re-entry rider from St. Joseph, MI, USA
07-05-12, 02:24 PM
#1
Re-entry rider
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: St. Joseph, Michigan, USA
Posts: 1
Bikes: 1996 Giant ATX 890, 1989 Schwinn Voyageur
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Noob/re-entry rider from St. Joseph, MI, USA
Hi! I'm Jon, and I'm what could be considered a "Re-entry" rider. I'm looking forward to learning a lot and helping where I can.
Some background:
I got into trail riding in college in the mid-late 90's and put a beating on a hybrid bike (80's Schwinn High Sierra). In 1996, I found a deal on a Giant ATX 890 "John Tomac Signature" frame. I moved parts over from the Schwinn, and then proceeded to go broke upgrading all of the components, anyway. I still have the Giant, and still ride it. It is still a great off-road machine. It's also still far above my capabilities. I am glad that I put good components on it, though. They have worked well over time, and I've been spoiled by the Deore XT V-brakes I put on. I way overspent on a Judy FSX Carbon fork!
After college, life got busy with work, marriage, laziness, etc., and I hardly rode at all.
In 2011, I started volunteering at Cycle-Re-Cycle, and got back into riding. Cycle-Re-Cycle repairs/refurbishes donated bikes and resells them. One week, a Schwinn Voyageur was donated, and some of the guys at the shop knew I was interested in a road bike. This one happened to be my size, and some of the more knowledgeable guys recommended it. I bought it cheap, cleaned it up, and have been putting as many miles as possible on it. The bike was in excellent condition, but of course, I have a few upgrades planned.
Research taught me it's a 1989, and I think it's stock. Being that it's my first road bike, I'm having a hard time with the low brake levers, so I've ordered some modern ones that curve out. It will also get the cables out my face. Of course, the grip tape and the cables and housings are due for replacement. The housings look like they have 23 years on them.
Very soon, I plan to do a full tune-up. I bought the bike and started riding it before we refurbished it at the shop, so I'm sure it's due for a thorough regreasing. Other plans are to add modern racks and panniers, and maybe a 27" to 700C conversion for tire availability.
However, the important thing is to get my legs back into shape after many years away. I work from home, so I have no commute. Rides are purely for fun or small errands. My hope is that adding some packs will allow me to ride on more errands.
Some background:
I got into trail riding in college in the mid-late 90's and put a beating on a hybrid bike (80's Schwinn High Sierra). In 1996, I found a deal on a Giant ATX 890 "John Tomac Signature" frame. I moved parts over from the Schwinn, and then proceeded to go broke upgrading all of the components, anyway. I still have the Giant, and still ride it. It is still a great off-road machine. It's also still far above my capabilities. I am glad that I put good components on it, though. They have worked well over time, and I've been spoiled by the Deore XT V-brakes I put on. I way overspent on a Judy FSX Carbon fork!
After college, life got busy with work, marriage, laziness, etc., and I hardly rode at all.
In 2011, I started volunteering at Cycle-Re-Cycle, and got back into riding. Cycle-Re-Cycle repairs/refurbishes donated bikes and resells them. One week, a Schwinn Voyageur was donated, and some of the guys at the shop knew I was interested in a road bike. This one happened to be my size, and some of the more knowledgeable guys recommended it. I bought it cheap, cleaned it up, and have been putting as many miles as possible on it. The bike was in excellent condition, but of course, I have a few upgrades planned.
Research taught me it's a 1989, and I think it's stock. Being that it's my first road bike, I'm having a hard time with the low brake levers, so I've ordered some modern ones that curve out. It will also get the cables out my face. Of course, the grip tape and the cables and housings are due for replacement. The housings look like they have 23 years on them.
Very soon, I plan to do a full tune-up. I bought the bike and started riding it before we refurbished it at the shop, so I'm sure it's due for a thorough regreasing. Other plans are to add modern racks and panniers, and maybe a 27" to 700C conversion for tire availability.
However, the important thing is to get my legs back into shape after many years away. I work from home, so I have no commute. Rides are purely for fun or small errands. My hope is that adding some packs will allow me to ride on more errands.
07-05-12, 03:35 PM
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,222
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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Hello Jon,
Welcome to Bike Forums from Texas.
I found that a used kids trailer is good for big errands.
Welcome to Bike Forums from Texas.
I found that a used kids trailer is good for big errands.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
