So for me, 91-92 Zaskars have that Mastercard "priceless" aspect. When I was a lad at high school, and first joined the Cairns MTB Club, they were a seminal bike owned by a few guys in the club. They were the bike to have, and were really symbolic to me of my first foray into proper off roading. I have always wanted one, they are just hard to find in Australia. Particularly the 20" frames.
And whilst I still love 93 onwards, for me, the real hey-day of GT mountain bikes were the earlier ones. I think once they took the names off the bikes downtubes, it really was the start of the normalisation process..
Anyway..this one came to me from California, sourced from the 'bay. It was in well used, but not abused condition. It had spent time outside, everything was rusty and oxidised.
Essentially all I have done is clean her up and a good service. I was amazed to find all the main components were in very good running order. The XT hubs still spin buttery smooth. I put some top tube (91), head tube and seat stay decals on to spruce her up. Downtubes are original and a bit worn, but I just autosoled gently over the top of them.
Being 20" it fits me much better than the 19" '95 model I also own.
I am loving the steel fork, it just feels sharp and precise.
The U Brake rear performs so much better than the cantilever versions later. I think it was a mistake of GT to move away from the rear U Brake, certainly until the V Brake arrived anyway.
Still a few minor tweaks to come, but for intents and purposes she is done, and is my new daily rider.
And whilst I still love 93 onwards, for me, the real hey-day of GT mountain bikes were the earlier ones. I think once they took the names off the bikes downtubes, it really was the start of the normalisation process..
Anyway..this one came to me from California, sourced from the 'bay. It was in well used, but not abused condition. It had spent time outside, everything was rusty and oxidised.
Essentially all I have done is clean her up and a good service. I was amazed to find all the main components were in very good running order. The XT hubs still spin buttery smooth. I put some top tube (91), head tube and seat stay decals on to spruce her up. Downtubes are original and a bit worn, but I just autosoled gently over the top of them.
Being 20" it fits me much better than the 19" '95 model I also own.
I am loving the steel fork, it just feels sharp and precise.
The U Brake rear performs so much better than the cantilever versions later. I think it was a mistake of GT to move away from the rear U Brake, certainly until the V Brake arrived anyway.
Still a few minor tweaks to come, but for intents and purposes she is done, and is my new daily rider.
