What should I do with this bike?
 

Today, I acquired an old Gary Fisher (Made in Taiwan :() mountain bike. It has a threaded 1" Gary Fisher stem, 26" wheels, Shimano Biopace rings, and Suntour mechs just to name a few features. Being the kind of person that likes to change things up a bit, what should I do with this bike? What would you do? Junk?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=328901

As you can see, it's not in the greatest condition, so that's one of the reasons I want to change some parts. I'm on a budget, so keep the suggestions realistic. I was thinking a rigid single speed. as I already have a mtb with gears and suspension fork.

As a standard fork, hardtail, they can be set up as loaded touring rigs.. have many times before

What do you want to use it for? I have a similarly aged Giant Iguana with full Suntour XCM group on it that has been converted to expedition touring. I use it on fire trails and dirt roads to get further back in for camping. With fenders and an IGH it would make a decent city commuter too.

Aaron :)

It's a nice looking bike so I'd cross junk off your list above!

Here are a couple of pictures just to give you an idea of what can be done.

The first was when the bike was returned to me, the second is about how it looks today.

BTW that bike of yours most definitely is not junk. And the Taiwan built frames are some of the best built frames you will find.

Aaron :)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8...62ee23b3_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/9...283ab517_c.jpg

That looks really nice! How much did you invest in it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wahoonc (Post 15846213)

What do you want to use it for?

Aaron :)

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I really don't know.

Yup. That looks to me like a good platform for a semi-expendable special purpose bike. Rain bike, grocery geter, beater, bicycle polo, commute to school, whatever floats your boat.

Hard to tally up a lot of the stuff came out of my stash. If I had to buy everything new, probably $600 including the bags. I likely have less than half that in it. I buy things on clearance sale. The Ortliebs were on clearance sale at REI (last year's model :rolleyes:) List price was around $260 and I paid $128. Everything else was pretty much acquired the same way.

Here is a list of what I did to it:

• Seat Post
• Saddle
• New Cables
• Jandd Expedition Racks (scratch and dent sale)
• Tires
• Handlebars and Stem (clearance sale at Nashbar)
• Replacement Freewheel
• Planet Bike Freddy Fenders

Otherwise it was a matter of just cleaning things up, greasing or oiling.

Aaron :)

Clean it thoroughly. Replace the chain, cables, and brake shoes. Lube the hubs, bottom bracket and headset. Fix or replace the seat. Inflate the tires.

Then go ride the snot out of it. It's nothing extraordinary, but then it's not "junk".

I had a Taiwan-built Fisher Hoo-Koo-E-Koo. It was a perfectly practical and durable bike. I used it for commuting and trail riding while I had it. Then I gave it away to a kid who needed it more than me.

It's a nice looking bike so I'd cross junk off your list above! http://to.ly/moQm

That saddle's got to go. I have a Specialized Hard Rock. It's gotten fenders, lights, street slicks, a rack, trailer hitch and a Bikes At Work trailer. It's my go to go anywhere bike.