1993 GT RTS 1

[BarneyRubble]

So ever since my mate had an RTS back in 93 I've wanted one badly. I've had several i-drives and a Xizang, but never an RTS. So I started looking for a purple one and found the perfect frame but having paid top dollar for it I discovered it was cracked. I'd started buying purple parts before I realised, so when I got hold of a lovely RTS 1 in silver, I decided to stick with the purple build.
Rear end was stripped and powder coated as it was pretty rusty and most of the parts are VGC or NOS. Other complications included having to get some chainring spacers made in my lbs so I could fit the Pace rings to the Topline cranks.

I think it's been worth it as I have my 13 year old self's dream bike!

Anyway, having finally finished the build and spent the afternoon with the Autosol, she's ready to reveal to my fellow Retrobike!

Spec as follows:

Frame: 19” 1993 GT RTS 1

Fork: Rock Shox Mag 21 SL

Headset: Chris King
Stem: GT flip flop
Handlebar: Kalloy Uno
Grips: ODI
Barends: Xlite

Brakes: Dia Compe 987
Brake Pads: as above
Brake Cables: Shimano
Cantilever cable hangers: Dia Compe
Brake Levers: Dia Compe SS7

Shifters: Shimano Deore XT thumbshifters
Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR m900
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR m900
Derailleur Cables: Shimano
Cassette: Shimano deore XT
Chain: Shimano
Cranks: Topline
Crank Bolts: basic
Chainrings: Pace extruder groove
Chainring bolts: basic
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN52
Pedals: Wellgo

Hub Skewers: Hope
Rims: Mavic
Hubs: GT Hadley made in the USA
Nipples: ?
Spokes: ?
Tyres: Panaracer Smoke and Dart
Tubes: basic

Saddle: Selle Italia Flite
Seatpost: USE
Seatpost Binder: GT

Weight: pretty light!

 

[BarneyRubble]

Re:

Pics now up!

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Is that my old frame Barney? If so you've done a lovely job, just as I wanted to but would never have got round to. Great stuff.

 

[BarneyRubble]

Re: Re:

Is that my old frame Barney? If so you've done a lovely job, just as I wanted to but would never have got round to. Great stuff.

It is! And thanks, it's taken a while! :facepalm:

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

It would have taken even longer if I still had it!

 

[Retro Spud]

what a great result, the RTS is one of the very few GT's I'd like to own

what does it ride like ?

 

[BarneyRubble]

what a great result, the RTS is one of the very few GT's I'd like to own

what does it ride like ?

I'm really pleased with it, but know the purple may not be to everyone's taste!

Ride wise it's good for a spin round town, but given how fragile these are I'm not sure it will get ridden in anger. I'd be too gutted if it cracked (having gone through 2 frames before I got this built).

 

[Theoldfm]

That looks smart!

 

[Southcoast]

How does the ride compare to a I drive?

 

[BarneyRubble]

How does the ride compare to a I drive?

No where near as smooth. I've always thought that the i-drive was one of the first really good all round full sus mtb, but I am a bit biased! It was complicated so had more moving parts that could fail and I think that was the reason it got simplified then dropped (although Yeti switch is pretty similar). If I could find a team model I'd buy it!

The RTS is a lovely thing, but rides like an early 90's bike.