1993 GT RTS 1 - potential purchase questions?

[boy"O"boy]

Hi All.
I’ve been offered another long standing favourite that I’d like to add to the boy”O”boy collection. It’s an early GT RTS 1 - the polished one with the gloss black rear triangle in an 18” flavour- spot on sizing wise.

My knowledge of the suspension related parts is slightly lacking though. I’d like to ask the collective -

1) Was the piggy back shock just for the later RTS models? - or was it available as an upgrade on the early models?
The one I’d be looking to purchase has the standard shock. Judging from the Mbuk test review pic, the early ones only came with that shock?

2) I’ve checked out the Noleen website and they do offer new shocks - but the price plus shipping/ import duties puts me off. Does anyone on here offer rebuild services for these?

3) Would a rebuild be something I could do myself or am I better off getting an expert to do it? - if I can myself, anyone know Where I can find guides/ instructions?

4) The Rockshox up front. Are they Mag 20’s or 21’s in the Mbuk pic? What’s the difference between the two? Am I going to struggle to find a decent pair?

5) What are the headset/ seat post / bottom bracket axle sizes?

6) Any other helpful pointers or advice?

( bottom pic not of actual frame I've been offered - just as an example)



All advice greatfully received!

Thanks in advance

boy”O”boy

 

[Retro Spud]

Regarding you question(s)this post is of no use to you

but I have to say I'm with yah in feeling the love... you've settled upon probably the best looking GT ever (certainly my favourite)

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Same here. One or two have passed through my hands, and the team rts I have now (and bought nos about 12 years ago) is my keeper.

Seat post should be 26.8.
Headset 1 1/8
Bb axle width depends on the crank. Can't remember the shell width but it could be 68 as I recall only needing one spacer on the m952 bb.

Early ones did come with the non-piggy back for a year or so. Shock can be rebuilt though has nitrogen charge. There is some motorbike firm that can apparently service noleen shocks, but I've forgotten the name of it. Just came to me: http://mickgardnerracing.com.

There is a mod to convert a piggy back shock to take air instead of nitrogen that I saw documented on here.

I've got a risse shock for mine, not yet fitted it as toying whether to or not......

 

[regan_ev]

Best source of advice is the GT retro group on Facebook.

GT Mar
Daimon Edwards
Kevin Sande

are your men for advice and parts.

Ditto the above. Joint-best looking GT along with early Xizangs. I'd love one.

Good luck

 

[ishaw]

Re:

I'm insulted

I'm not part of thst fb group but know my way around rts and sts.

Could do with a front rts triangle if anyone has a spare.

Is there anything wrong with the rear shock? They are pretty bomb proof. Got a spare one if you need it. Have a spare piggy back too, well I will if I use the risse.

As above, I think the nicest full sus design to look at. Still looks like a bike, and aged well!

Check the rear chain stay pivots for cracks, same for the bb mount as I've seen and had some that have gone there.

 

[mk one]

Nice, look forward to seeing this get built. Like others have said its a really nice looking bike, when built, especially the smaller frame sizes with the sloping top tube.

Never rode one but would like to own one

The Mag 21 had a negative travel spring and different cosmeticlly, but ive seen a few different versions so not sure of anything anymore , these could be mag 20's as im sure the 21's came out in '93?

mark

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Look like Mag 20's in the magazine picture but yours looks like a later one with those decals so maybe Mag 21's? I had a 93 frame and picked up a very tidy and useable set of Mag 21's without much trouble and without spending a fortune.

I was the same as you mate with one of these being on the dream list. Regret selling mine (none piggy back btw) but decided I would have to build it properly with M900 etc and that was going to cost more than I was willing to spend on retro so moved the frame and fork on. :cry:

 

[boy"O"boy]

Re:

Hi All. Thanks for the responses so far.

Regarding you question(s)this post is of no use to you

but I have to say I'm with yah in feeling the love... you've settled upon probably the best looking GT ever (certainly my favourite)

+1 .... that definately sparked my Interest when offered the sale. Something about that Mbuk test pic which got me fired up.

Same here. One or two have passed through my hands, and the team rts I have now (and bought nos about 12 years ago) is my keeper.

Seat post should be 26.8.
Headset 1 1/8
Bb axle width depends on the crank. Can't remember the shell width but it could be 68 as I recall only needing one spacer on the m952 bb.

Early ones did come with the non-piggy back for a year or so. Shock can be rebuilt though has nitrogen charge. There is some motorbike firm that can apparently service noleen shocks, but I've forgotten the name of it. Just came to me: http://mickgardnerracing.com.

There is a mod to convert a piggy back shock to take air instead of nitrogen that I saw documented on here.

I've got a risse shock for mine, not yet fitted it as toying whether to or not......

I'm insulted

I'm not part of thst fb group but know my way around rts and sts.

Could do with a front rts triangle if anyone has a spare.

Is there anything wrong with the rear shock? They are pretty bomb proof. Got a spare one if you need it. Have a spare piggy back too, well I will if I use the risse.

As above, I think the nicest full sus design to look at. Still looks like a bike, and aged well!

Check the rear chain stay pivots for cracks, same for the bb mount as I've seen and had some that have gone there.

That's spot -on. Just what I'm after Thank you
I haven't purchased the frame yet so unsure of the condition of the shock. It's a low miles frame, so I'm hoping for the best. Had to ask here as one of the sticking points for me was - What if the shock doesn't work? - would I be buying something that potentially could give me a massive headache in searching for the elusive part! - Good to know I've got options.
I'll be checking the frame at those points as well - cheers for the info

Best source of advice is the GT retro group on Facebook.

GT Mar
Daimon Edwards
Kevin Sande

are your men for advice and parts.

Ditto the above. Joint-best looking GT along with early Xizangs. I'd love one.

Good luck

Thanks for the reply. - good to know there's a fair bit of RTS expertise available out there!
+2 for looks.... Early Xizang. Mmm tasty

Nice, look forward to seeing this get built. Like others have said its a really nice looking bike, when built, especially the smaller frame sizes with the sloping top tube.

Never rode one but would like to own one

The Mag 21 had a negative travel spring and different cosmeticlly, but ive seen a few different versions so not sure of anything anymore , these could be mag 20's as im sure the 21's came out in '93?

mark

Cheers Mark
+3 for looks alone. Again, never ridden one but it's definately another drawl worthy bike from BITD.
Rock shox wise, going have to investigate and follow the ads on here. My Retro suspension knowledge only covers Pace RC35's so far!

Hopefully a new thread up on this bike if all goes well.

Look like Mag 20's in the magazine picture but yours looks like a later one with those decals so maybe Mag 21's? I had a 93 frame and picked up a very tidy and useable set of Mag 21's without much trouble and without spending a fortune.

I was the same as you mate with one of these being on the dream list. Regret selling mine (none piggy back btw) but decided I would have to build it properly with M900 etc and that was going to cost more than I was willing to spend on retro so moved the frame and fork on. :cry:

Cheers Ed.
+4 for dream list. Seems are tastes in bikes other than Orange are also very similar.
What a shame you had to move yours on ( Not for the purchaser though, best they were very pleased when you chose to sell! ) ..... but having seen the prices of M900 XTR, sounds like you did so for the right reasons.
The one in bottom pic is just for reference only. I haven't seen the potential purchase one yet, but I'm on the understanding it is a very original '93 with the RTS1 decal on the top tube as per the 2nd pic.

Fingers crossed.

Cheers.
boy"O"boy

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

If it is an original 93 then snap it up as they’re lovely looking things. Any other version leaves me cold tbh. The shock on mine seemed fine even after a decent amount of use.

 

[Retro Spud]

never realised there was so much love for the Humble RTS 1

I'd buy one just to clean up and hang on the wall (Frame only)