Flak

I have an old 1993 (atleast i think its a 93, but give or take) Giant Rincon, great bike, well atleast it was. Its completely beat up and unrideable. Needs new....well....everything really. But the frame looks to be undamaged bar a few places where the paint got scraped off and i touched it up clumsily with black automotive paint so it wouldnt rust. Its an 18" chromoly frame, black with touches of purple brush stroke looking marks near the front that give way to solid black towards the rear of the bike. Hard to explain but looks really cool. Being chromoly it shouldnt be any weaker than it was the day i bought it right?

My question is. Is it possible to rebuild him? Do we have the technology? Better than he was before. I want to take the frame alone and outfit it with new everything. Is it worth it? Is it wise? Will it send me broke?

This bike was basically what i learned to ride offroad on. Was better to me than i ever was to it and now id like to pay it back by returning it to its former glory. Is there anything i need to know about older frames? Or should i just take it down to my lbs and figure it out with them?

USAZorro

If the frame is sound, and you'd like to give it new life, I see no reason why you couldn't do it.

jeff williams

Find a used newer mtb and strip it for parts.
If it's an Alu frame...IMO, don't bother.

jeff williams

Sorry, didn't see the chromoly.....strip a bike.
It cost me over $600 to rebuild a Ritchey, being conservative and cheap even.
And I still have 3 parts to go....

It was worth it, the bikes SICK!
If you think it's the cats pajamas, go for it.

jz19

Considering that it is a steel frame and that you still like I don't see why you should not restore it. I would second the advice to buy a used but newer bike and then hack the components. You might need to buy a few specific things like the front derailleur or the headset that may not be transferable but most components can be moved without worries and you will save a good chunk of money by doing it.

Flak

Part of me wants to make it into a commuter. But another part of me wants to deck it out in some really nice gear for trails. I did some really harsh riding on that frame, and i honestly think its bomb proof, tried and true.

Have steerer tubes or anything else changed in 12 years or so?

SaddleBags

Check the steerer tube - since it's circa 93, I'm betting it's a 1" tube and if you're looking to put a suspension on it, there are very limited choices. I'm in the same boat, I have a 94 Kona Lava Dome with a rigid fork and I've been searching for a decent 1" fork. I have given up and just turned it into a sweet SS.

JIB

I have a Giant ATX 780 of approximately the same vintage of your Rincon. I decided the best way to keep it in action was to convert it to singlespeed. It was a cheap way to add a SS to the quiver and I didn't feel like I was abandoning an old friend. The only roadblock you might run into is, as you mentioned, the steerer tube. Your bike might possibly have a 1" steerer tube, which will limit your fork selection. Maybe someone on here has a better way, but I just took my stem and headset locknut off and measured the steerer tube to be sure.

jeff williams

Go SS, way lighter and hip.
?
Save money...buy some bomb rims, brakes.

Raiyn

It's probably (like others have said) a 1" steerer. Your options for "really nice" suspension are about nil unless you can find something NOS, and even then it's not going to be anything special by today's standards. Personally I'd listen to the side that's telling you to make it into a commuter. Strip the frame (paint and all) have it powdercoated and build it up with decent, but not extravagant, components and have a reliable commuter that will truly be a custom creation purpose built for the everyday ride

Flak

Thats a shame about everything being 1 1/8th these days.

Thanks, as always, for the info guys. Looks like custom commuter is the go.

jeff williams

Marzocchi MX Comp 1" steerer tube: $299.99.
https://www.firstflightbikes.com/frames/VintPart.htm

bkrownd

a) Absolutely
b) Positively
c) Probably
d) Youbetcha
e,f) If you're a bike freak or retrogeek, yes.
g) Not if you purchase whatever's on sale or NOS.

I rebuilt my old mountain bike from the bare frame as well, for about $350 in parts. Now every part is just the way I want it. Check out the antique mountain bike thread in the classic/vintage subforum. The LBS will either laugh at you or try to make you pay several times what you need to - buy some tools and a book and have fun bike-building.

Raiyn

$80 cheaper at Pricepoint.
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/137...erIN050FO1.htm

Still I think a steel framed rigid MTB is ideal for a commuter. For the price of the fork you could be most of the way done with decking out it out for work duty

jeff williams

Good one.

Raiyn

For as often as I look up parts for folks here I've gotten pretty good at finding deals

Flak

Yeah thats how i'll play it. That way it will be mine, and in no way anyone elses. It will be a good experiance.

Im actually leaning towards a rigid because thats how it was in the beginning. Take it back to its roots. Well that and i still have the original rigid fork thats in good shape too

Raiyn

You've seen my commuter right? If not click the Cartman on the right in my sig

bkrownd

The rigid fork retroposse!

Raiyn

<Snoop voice> Fo shizzle. </voice> No seals to blow, no oil to change, & no air to adjust. Just rustproof and go.