GreenspeedGTS

Update on this bike conversion. I removed the Reba shock and replaced it with a Salsa Cromoto Grande Rigid 29er fork, installed a FSA Orbit XL II threadless head set, changed out the seat post for a Truvativ Stylo T 40 with 25mm of set back seat post, replaced the hydraulic brakes with BB7, installed new Jagwire MTN Pro "Ripcord" Brake Cable/Housing Set with the brake change. I also took off the Equinox trailer hitch and its all set up for the Bob trailer. I need to get the handlebars closer to me because the reach seems a little to far, so I just ordered and haven't received a 50mm handlebar stem to try. I replaced the crank with a Shimano XT

Bicycle365

Here is a shot of my 2nd "touring bike"
I used a radiator clamp, a 6mm screw and some clear epoxy to make my own mid fork rack stud, lasted over 10k miles and was still on the bike when I sold it. There is a full article on it here at Bicycle365.com Schwinn Aluminium

rodar y rodar

365, I`m surprised that rack mount lasted, but I guess there`s no arguing with 10K miles. Sounds like a success

BTW, that`s quite a wrap job you have on the LHT on your website! How long did it take you?

Bicycle365

The bar tape took 5 minutes , the ends took a whole afternoon. I was doing it in the winter so I really wasn't in a hurry. It was almost 100 yards per side divided by the circumference of the bar = number of turns. I really don't want to know....

Gravity Aided

I got this old GT Outpost Trail a couple of weeks ago, and turned it into a 26" Tourer with front and rear racks, trekking bars, and some new wheels as the old rear wheel had a bad freewheel.

cyka37

I'm no expert on bicycles but that frame looks like it was designed for the road!

skidder

MTB frames from back in that period were simply beefed-up road frames, so they do appear 'roadie' looking when stripped of components. I've picked up a few of them for really cheap prices and use 'em as workout bikes after changing a few things to make them more road friendly (saving the true road bikes for big rides).

boatsinbottles

Ladies and gentlemen, I submit my '85ish Mongoose ATB:


photo set

cyka37

That's a really nice setup. My favorite colors too! I own a Next comfort hybrid full suspension. It wasn't a good setup for touring though. Didn't have any attachment points for racks or anything.
t

cyka37

Here's my setup. I made my own "day travel" style paniers and top cargo contraption (not shown mounted).

Medic Zero

Nice! Reminds me of my 1993 GT Outpost (not quite an Outpost Trail):





I use this both everyday to get to work and school (back in college) as well as for the occasional longer ride, including bed and breakfast or hotel touring.

I also have a 1988 GT Timberline that I use for touring/cycle camping, but it is stuck mid-overhaul awaiting time and funds to make some changes and repairs to it. The '88 has nice long chainstays and is quite stable under load.


Here's the Outpost again, Friday afternoon at the end of doing over 90 miles in less than 72 hours from our apartment in north Seattle up to Whidbey Island and back for a short 3 night/four day hotel to hotel tour:



My sweater is stowed a little untidily under the flap of my large saddlebag and both saddlebags are bulging with loot (mostly yarn and alpaca wool socks), in addition to the knitting needle case my girlfriend picked up en route that is strapped to the front deck.

Bunks-TJ

I dont have any of mine stand alone, but I use as mid 90s trek 820 mountain track, and my buddy used a newish GT "something that starts with a K". Over all we were pleased with the bikes on the trip. Both of us had things we would and will change but overall i was very happy using an old Mtn bike as a platform.

Gravity Aided

Medic Zero, that is one impressive Outpost. I think a great deal of mine, and need to get some miles going on it after some more rejuvenations are made.

Medic Zero

Thanks! It's really given me sterling service! It's at about 4,000 miles on this build, over Seattle's rough roads, to the tune of 50 to 100 miles a week, all weather, often loaded down with schoolbooks and work clothes.

I ended up replaced virtually everything on it, the only thing left original at this point is the headset (which now needs replacing!), fork, and the front derailleur. I picked it up from a Craigslist seller for $10 sans wheels, a seat and seatpost. I'm used to old steel GT's being real tanks, but this one seems heavier than it should, I suspect the rear triangle may be high tensile steel rather than chromoly so I've been keeping an eye out for a nicer GT frame to replace it. I actually just picked up a '94 GT Corrado that is a similar color that I'm in the process of refurbishing and will eventually transfer over the rack and fenders to it when I have time.

It's been a great all rounder for me:

Gravity Aided

I think you are correct in that, I believe the triangle alone is chromoly

gabriel1

1992 kona explosif, albatross bars, kenda kwest 26"x1.5", cardiff saddle

mtn.cyclist

This is a very basic. Added a rack and road tires. Panniers, a frame bag, fenders, and some cockpit instrumentation will follow.

Paramount1973 

I am using this as a commuter but it is basically a MTB touring conversion. The Schwinn High Plains had a touring frame geometry with seat tube/head tube angles of 73/70. The chain stays are a little short compared to some touring set ups at about 45 cm, but I am not having heel strike issues with a pannier although I did swap out the Blackburn Mountain rack in the photo with a Civia Cafe rack that had a point for a pannier hook farther back than the Blackburn.


P4170271 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr

I have a front rack with a VO decaleur set up with a dSLR bag as my front bag.


P4170264 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr


P4170268 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr

Drivetrain is a friction set up with a Suntour Vx-GT RD and a Shimano XT FD. Shifters are Suntour barcons. The front is a 48/38/26 and the rear is a 7-speed 13-30 cassette. The wheels are 36h Matrix double-walled, eyeletted rims with Exage HG50 hubs. Brakes are Tektro CR720 canti's. The tires are 1.75 Panaracer Tservs. It is a lot of fun to ride.

bikemig 

I have two MTBs. I added trekking bars to my 1991 Specialized Team Stumpy. I love the sun tour grease guard gruppo; it is so easy to just add new grease to hubs and BB:



The other is a 1989 Stumpy Comp. It is a project bike at this point but I plan on adding drops and turning it into a touring bike as it has a nice long wheelbase:

rebelLT

here is mine, an early 90's outpost frame with 36H deore XT hubset, araya annodized rims, Sake crankset, XT derailleurs, 7 speed, Deore brakes. etccccc.... I am in the process of hanging the parts on a Schwinn High Sierra. It amazing how so many people have posted here with similar bikes. I love the gt, though the frame is too heavy and the space inside the triangle is kinda wanky for hanging bags and bottles due to the seat stays.

ClemY

I like that Schwinn High Plains. Did the bike come with the lugs outlined in black the way they are? Looks cool! I found what turns out to be a '91 High Plains, with a poor enough paint job that I didn't feel bad about taking a torch to it to make minor mods before having it repainted. Mine currently has small racks for and aft for the GAP/C&O Canal ride. If I was still commuting to work it would make a great commuter.

Paramount1973 

I painted the lugs black. They had some odd wear that had removed some of the paint, possibly from a bike lock.

ClemY

It looks very nice.

Paramount1973 

Thanks! I used Testors enamel and brushed it on. It flowed on beautifully and gave great coverage.

ClemY

Cool!