I have a 1995 Giant Rincon hard tail, named by my college roommate in Portland Maine "The Red Rincon Ryder". I have literally put 10's of thousands of miles on the bike. Over the years I have performed regular maintenance, namely cleaning and repacking, adjusting all bearings. keeping the bike relatively clean and storing it in a dry place.
Last winter I decided to give the bike a major going over, I'll keep from calling it a major rebuild. I replaced the front controls with a current Shimano ST-EF500 3 x 7-Speed Brake/Shift Lever Set which was perfect fit, and added a 4pc universal cable set. Finally installed a Greenfield KS2S kickstand w/retro kick, which brings the total investment to $47.50 this decade. I may have replaced the drive chain at some point during it's lifespan. As a former motorcycle racer, I have utmost respect for drive chains and always keep them clean, lightly lubricated and properly adjusted. Small rust spots on the frame were prepared, gray primer and followed up with Rust oleum red gloss spray paint which I was delighted to find matched very well.
This all started when my GF who has a nice stable of road and hybrid bikes tried to shame me into buying a new bike. No way was I prepared to part ways with my old friend.
Granted the frame is rather heavy by 2024 standards, it wasn't a lightweight even in 1995. I am 6'3" tall and was 200lbs at the time so neither am I (down to 170lbs currently). I bought this bike from Quinn's bike shop in Biddeford, ME. The owner interviewed me and concluded I would be happiest with the Rincon, he was 100% spot on. That bike has been my major form of transportation for many times over the years. It has lived in Biddeford, Portland and Boothbay Maine for a decade total. It lived in Johnson City, NY for 2 years while by GF at the time completed her residency at Wilson Memorial. Finally it landed in the Western Philadelphia, PA suburbs where it currently resides. Where I live now has an incredible amount of bike friendly paths along rivers, hills and parks with more being opened every day. Most of the bike's life always had those type of trails available. I did climb Cadillac Mountain in Maine, probably it's most notable trip.
Currently the only feature I may be updating is the handlebars, not exactly sure what direction I want to go, I am in no rush.
The bike has only taken what I would call a major spill, the from when the tire got caught in rather wide exposed seam in a concrete road at the bottom of a hill at a high rate of speed. I high sided so I took more damage than the bike did. We are both completely healed up after that incident.
I am not sure about some of the older bikes discussed here, but my almost 35 year old Giant is a tribute to their ability to produce a highly durable hybrid bike that with a little care will last a lifetime. Currently the bike performs as good or better than the day I wheeled it out of the bike store.
Last winter I decided to give the bike a major going over, I'll keep from calling it a major rebuild. I replaced the front controls with a current Shimano ST-EF500 3 x 7-Speed Brake/Shift Lever Set which was perfect fit, and added a 4pc universal cable set. Finally installed a Greenfield KS2S kickstand w/retro kick, which brings the total investment to $47.50 this decade. I may have replaced the drive chain at some point during it's lifespan. As a former motorcycle racer, I have utmost respect for drive chains and always keep them clean, lightly lubricated and properly adjusted. Small rust spots on the frame were prepared, gray primer and followed up with Rust oleum red gloss spray paint which I was delighted to find matched very well.
This all started when my GF who has a nice stable of road and hybrid bikes tried to shame me into buying a new bike. No way was I prepared to part ways with my old friend.
Granted the frame is rather heavy by 2024 standards, it wasn't a lightweight even in 1995. I am 6'3" tall and was 200lbs at the time so neither am I (down to 170lbs currently). I bought this bike from Quinn's bike shop in Biddeford, ME. The owner interviewed me and concluded I would be happiest with the Rincon, he was 100% spot on. That bike has been my major form of transportation for many times over the years. It has lived in Biddeford, Portland and Boothbay Maine for a decade total. It lived in Johnson City, NY for 2 years while by GF at the time completed her residency at Wilson Memorial. Finally it landed in the Western Philadelphia, PA suburbs where it currently resides. Where I live now has an incredible amount of bike friendly paths along rivers, hills and parks with more being opened every day. Most of the bike's life always had those type of trails available. I did climb Cadillac Mountain in Maine, probably it's most notable trip.
Currently the only feature I may be updating is the handlebars, not exactly sure what direction I want to go, I am in no rush.
The bike has only taken what I would call a major spill, the from when the tire got caught in rather wide exposed seam in a concrete road at the bottom of a hill at a high rate of speed. I high sided so I took more damage than the bike did. We are both completely healed up after that incident.
I am not sure about some of the older bikes discussed here, but my almost 35 year old Giant is a tribute to their ability to produce a highly durable hybrid bike that with a little care will last a lifetime. Currently the bike performs as good or better than the day I wheeled it out of the bike store.
