👋 New here: GT LTS 1996. Advice welcome!

[getoutofbed]

Hey RB,

Been here a few months now however this will be my first post. Pretty much a die hard roadie, however I spotted something in my local bike shop that took me straight back!

In the 90s (when I was wee), my Dad used to race a GT LTS, I have very very fond memories of him riding me on the handlebars to school and him tinkering in the garden with it. See below for a pic of him in the day:



So - the bike had been knocking around at the back of said LBS for a few months gathering dust and I couldn’t help but peek through the window and say ‘should I?’ I eventually said I should!

Here is the first photo from outside the shop:



As you can see it’s had a hard life but from my light knowledge of retro MTB, I spotted some choice parts and made a deal with the gaffer. A solid 80 quid well spent! (I think)

Here’s some more photos from when I picked it up. LOOK at those rings

 

[getoutofbed]

So, first things on my agenda were:
- Clean the frame
- Change the cockpit
- Get some fast rolling tan walled tyres
- Chainrings
- BRAKE PADS!!
Disclaimer - before I offend anyone here. The bike will not be exactly period correct, however it’s definitely an ode to the period in my eyes and in the old man’s honour

The bike is going to be used for cruising around London, and there is potential for me to do the odd XC ride here and there in the future..

I got the bike in the stand and had a quick go at cleaning it over 20 mins. I intend over the Christmas period to get up to my parents and use my Dads polishing gear. I’d like the frame to have a shiny (not mirrored) finish.



Before/after:

 

[getoutofbed]

Over the following days I picked up some Specialized Kicker Sport tyres on recommendation by @mrwizard1982 . Got them for £20 a piece, rode them home and they feel fast, grippy, comfy @50 psi. From the research I’ve been doing, I think if I do some off road it’s going to have to be a set of Smoke/Dart’s.

The old Kool Stop blues have been replaced with some Yellow’s. Picked yellow on the basis that they look cool.

I also stuck on a long stem, and a flat bar. Not permanent by any means but a much better solution that the modern oversize FSA that was on it at pick up. Found a super worn Flite saddle on the cheap also.

 

[Paul R]

a very good deal there id say very nice. you need to get that middleburn chainset back on with some ta rings though lol

 

[getoutofbed]

a very good deal there id say very nice. you need to get that middleburn chainset back on with some ta rings though lol

Thanks! There is more to come shortly…

 

[Dr Dremel]

Bit of a bargain this! And I´m loving the pic of your father getting air, any plans to recreate the shot?

On a side note: 50psi- "Tell me you´re a die hard roadie without telling me your a die hard roadie"
I mean ok you have a bit of suspension, but depending on your weight you can easily loose 10-15psi without compromising much in terms of rolling resistance and gain a lot of comfort in small bump compliance (at 75kg I ride with no more than 30psi in the tires).

 

[getoutofbed]

Bit of a bargain this! And I´m loving the pic of your father getting air, any plans to recreate the shot?

On a side note: 50psi- "Tell me you´re a die hard roadie without telling me your a die hard roadie"
I mean ok you have a bit of suspension, but depending on your weight you can easily loose 10-15psi without compromising much in terms of rolling resistance and gain a lot of comfort in small bump compliance (at 75kg I ride with no more than 30psi in the tires).

Thanks! I hadn’t thought about that but it would be rude not to really.

That’s good to know RE pressures. I’ve knocked them down to 40 and can already notice a difference in grip and smoothness.

 

[getoutofbed]

So, @Paul R will be happy to know I got the Middleburn crank cleaned up and ready with some new rings thanks to @KermitGKona88 - wonderful seller thank you for the fast delivery.

Out with the old:



In with the new:



And voila’ does anyone have a recommendation for nice crank bolts instead of the cheap plastic looking ones?



I also took the liberty of putting the Acera rear derailleur where it belongs (bin) - and installed a cheap eBay find Deore XT to match the rest of the group. Not mint by any stretch of the imagination but at least I can now sleep at night knowing it’s not Acera.

 

[getoutofbed]

I’ve gotten a little bit carried away here (kind of out of necessity which I’ll keep telling myself).. the WTB headset on the bike was completely shot. It either rattled, or the steering was near locked. So I searched for a headset and ended up striking a deal on eBay for a red CK. I’ve seen countless bikes on here with really cool anodised components and I want in.

I also didn’t like the fact that the Bomber fork on the bike was too new for it, so in RB spirit I looked around for a 90s bomber rather than the ‘Atom Z2 Bomber’ one that was on it. I’ve ended up with an insane ‘Superfly’ which is a few hundred grams lighter!




I’m kind of at the point now where I need everyone’s recommendation and advice on the following:
- A more suitable stem as this one is ugly and low quality. I thought one to match the post would be cool.
- Where can I find a red seat clamp which will fit this frame
- Where can I find a red coil for the rear shock
- And the most important thing (which I’ve been avoiding clearly), the bike creaks like no tomorrow when riding. I assume it’s the bushes(ings?) which are making noise? Where can I find and how do I replace these?

I did open up the chainstay from the dropouts and it was super dirty. I gave it a clean and fresh grease in what I presume was the ‘friction’ area and actually made the problem worse.

Help!

 

[Dr Dremel]

I can´t help you with your suspension woes (is it really the suspension that creaks?), but I can tell you that you can easily use the old chainring in your circular saw

Hope you get the creaking sorted as your additions already transformed it into a pretty cool steed.