$55 - 2000 GT Palomar restoration

In this video I do some simple repairs and maintenance to this year 2000 or maybe 1999 GT Palomar.
Amazon affiliate links to tools I personally use:
Park Tool AWS-1 3-Way Hex: amzn.to/3YH3fkQ
Repair stand: amzn.to/4fGEzPE
Crank Puller: amzn.to/3X1iwf
Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool: amzn.to/4dDM73O
External Threaded Bottom Bracket Tool: amzn.to/3YGX1Bs
Craftsman metric combination wrench set: amzn.to/3Ajoa3w
Chain Wear Indicator: amzn.to/4dHcd68
CrankBrothers Multi Tool: amzn.to/3YKgj9m
Spoke Wrench: amzn.to/3WI5MIT
Derailleur Hanger Alignment tool: amzn.to/3AmCpEF
Wheel Truing stand: amzn.to/4djPAEJ
Headset Cup Removal Remover: amzn.to/4cojkz5
Press Fix Bottom Bracket Tool: amzn.to/46KiNpY
Nipple Driver: amzn.to/3SLcVHn
For business inquires: [e-mail]

[@aaronbehindbars]

I couldn't count the number of 80's-00's mountain bikes and hybrids I've refurbed. It's got to be in the hundreds. I've learned a few things over the last 20 years doing this. Evaporust is amazing stuff. I started using it about a year ago. The gallon jugs are about $26, so a little better deal than the quart bottles. It can be reused a bit, but be sure to store it in a sealed container as it will evaporate and turn into a thick, gloopy mess. It works great on chains and hardware. For saddles with tears, a black Sharpie or paint pen work really well on exposed foam and blends in better than spray paint. If the tear is more of a slit or small hole, I like to seal that with silicon. Black RTV is a little glossy, but it probably blends in a little better than clear RTV. Use the black sharpie/paint pen trick if you do use the clear stuff so you don't see the foam underneath. For handlebars, stems, or anything chrome with very light rust specking like what you had on the bars, I've long used 0000 grade steel wool as it isn't so abrasive that is scratches. You can use courser steel wool to get heavier rust off, but it's possible to scratch surfaces with that. Usually, a decent quality chrome doesn't scratch easily. Steel wool is cheap, but wears out quickly. Someone recommended to me a product for cleaning chrome on an old BMX bike I had restored, Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner. It's made for cleaning gun barrels and the stuff is awesome. It costs several bucks for a pad, but they last a really long time. Check that stuff out. For removing hub dust caps, a narrow plastic tire lever works great without bending the dust cap. It makes it so much easier to clean out the hub shell and bearing races if you get those off of there. Often, they'll snap back on by hand, but if they are a tighter fit, I use a socket and hammer to gently seat them back into the hub shell. For replacement pedals, I often get on Amazon and sort by price and see what is available for around $10. You can find some really decent sealed bearing alloy pedals. Basic plastic platforms can be purchased for $6-7. As much as I hate putting money into the pocket of a billionaire, you can't deny the cost effectiveness and convenience of having products dropped off at my doorstep. They have lots of cheap saddles, brake pads, cables, cable housing... It's always fun giving an old bike a new lease on life. I guess that's why I've been doing it all these years.

[@BruceChastain]

thanks for the all the tips. I agree, it's really not at all for the money, it's just for fun and cool to see the result.

[@robbchastain3036]

Such a small world, Bruce, I have a GT Palomar, too, in my enviable stable of bikes. And I grin and concur, nothing wrong with a 26" mountain bike with working parts, tho' I have to say my purchase was a little bittersweet--I bought it used at a bike shop, a good thing, but it bears a little sticker of its original bike shop, one which went out of business years ago. And those guys were great. They accommodated me back in the '90s when I bought a 20" bike for my daughter. I took her inside the shop just to, you know, look around. And we were looking at a cute bike when she suddenly noticed the happy birthday sign. And her eyes got as big as the sign. She couldn't believe it.

[@BruceChastain]

I missed the whole bike shop experience, I mean I've bought from different ones off and on, but I've never got to really know a shop or go regularly.

[@karlnorgaard6077]

I love hearing people's bicycle stories. Thanks.

[@johnbrann75]

A good way to get a stubborn free wheel off is to put the free wheel block in a vice sticking straight up. Place the wheel over it making sure the splines are engaged and using the tire or rim as leverage just start turning it counter clockwise. Never fails for me.

[@BruceChastain]

dang that's a good one. Now I want to try another stuck one lol

[@hanshoffmann2582]

I have one high end $4000 bicycle and I love it, but there is just something special about an older, cheap bicycle. You can just ride it, push it hard, jump it high, leave it whenever, wherever you like.. complete freedom.. because if it gets damaged or stolen you won't loose much and you can just enjoy it without any worries

[@BruceChastain]

100% true Hans

[@mliberty351]

I have the same bike. I got it when I was 10 in 2000. Washed and waxed it every week, and it's in pristine condition. Put a couple thousand miles on it. This summer I will be fixing it and getting it back on the trails.

[@BruceChastain]

oh that's very cool

[@yardsalecycles]

Way better then anything at Wal-Mart

[@BruceChastain]

true! I subscribed to your channel :)

[@yardsalecycles]

@@BruceChastain same here keep the videos coming

[@SlowDelSol]

You can pour the evaporust back in the bottle and use it again. The instructions say so as well.

[@BruceChastain]

I was thinking of putting it into another bottle. Mine was super brown after usage so I don't want to put it back in the same bottle.

[@karlnorgaard6077]

Hi Bruce! BTW, sorry for dumping all those bike photos on you. Haha. I don't really have any close friends that share the same interest, and I need to share with someone. 2 years ago, $55 woulda been steep for such a bike. But now, yeah, totally worth buying and flipping. So long as one doesn't divide his profits by the hours of labour invested, haha. As for electrical tape as rim tape, I've not had any bad experiences yet. I have a tip for cleaning an old chain. Once you've hit it with penetrant, and wire brushed and wiped it off, try submerging in boiling water. I just use an inch or so of water in a saucepan, let er boil. Use a paper towel to absorb the oily film off surface of water. Change water a couple times if you like. But, let chain dry completely, I mean completely before adding any lube so as to not create a yucky emulsion.

[@BruceChastain]

No worries my man! Cool idea for the chain, I’ll have to try that one day. I find majority of my time is mostly just cleaning rusty and dirty metal.

[@Wobbz9413]

Just bought a 98 cromo GT Palomar in pristine ready to ride condition with ALL original parts down to gt branded grips, gt branded seat etc. Its gorgeous! These are the type of mtbs I LOVE!

[@BruceChastain]

sounds like a nice one!

[@michelemarrazzo4167]

Hi Bruce! Nice video as always, really enjoyed this one. Some tips for you: 1. For the rim tape, electrical tape works fine but if it's a bad quality one, over time it will became hard, rise the edges and flat the inner tube, happened to me twice. Better to use an old inner tube and join using that inner tube vulcanizer. You can find some videos with this trick, it's quite cool! 2. I've seen somebody use black tape to protect the exposed foam of a saddle, better idea instead of spray paint it. Keep doing like this man!

[@BruceChastain]

thanks a lot Michele!

[@Tuckermen]

Excellent watch BTW.

[@BruceChastain]

thank you!

[@timothy7768]

Nice job!🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️

[@BruceChastain]

Thanks a lot Timothy!

[@staticdisaster]

Good video! Yeah you could probably get at least a hundred since 90s/00s mountain bikes are trendy at the moment

[@BruceChastain]

I posted it for $130, so we'll see. But we're in the same ballpark. and thank you!

[@alancottrill]

Chuck the freewheel socket in you vice and use the wheel as your lever.

[@tinycmo]

There has got to be a formula. The cheaper you get a bike for, the more work you do. But i find that satisfying.

[@BruceChastain]

Lol yea indeed. Just sold this one for $90, but considering the hours, well I’d be better off working fast food :)

[@user-nn3ic1iy2k]

cool video

[@BruceChastain]

thank you Паша !

[@kickstart118]

Thank you

[@ponuryhutnik]

Such low end(but still well designed) ATB/MTB bikes are great winter bikes. I mean in places where winter is real, with salty, grimy streets(cities are just like this in winter), and ice and snow aside from streets. Just get some anticorrosion spray inside the frame, and good wax outside, put the worst parts or some cheap used planetary hub(unfortunatelly this frame is without horizontal dropouts, but eg. super heavy hi-ten Giant GSRs do have), super wide fenders, stubby tires or if it's really bad weather studded tires(well you have most of the year to find some used cheap ones) and you good to overcome all the winter odds in HEAVY "hi-ten" METAL way with that classic MTB geometry of triple-triangle GT frames. Crashing snow drifts and ice like it's butter. Cool stuff. Otherwise these hi-ten steel frames are really not good for nice riding(if you ever tried something better, like a nice cro-mo frame) apart from slow relaxing commuting or being some masochistic training gear.

[@BruceChastain]

it is indeed heavy 16.4kg/36.1 lbs !

[@Forgotten_Boy]

I'm 55 snd just got a vintage GT fixer upper. Tough fuckin bike. It's gonna get a refresh real soon, too.

[@BruceChastain]

cool man. I love these old GTs

[@Forgotten_Boy]

@@BruceChastain I love the distinctive triple diamond frame and minimalist approach to their bikes. Definitely my kinda bike. Keep em rolling! 💪 😎

[@xXBocephusXx]

Nice build! These budget bikes can be a ton of fun. Also what trail was that at the end of the video? I'm in the north central FL area and didn't recognize it! Always on the lookout for new trails. Thanks for the video

[@BruceChastain]

thanks! it's Graham Swamp trail.

[@singletona082]

You are, in fact, definitely not the only person to use electrical tape as wheel tape. As for yu taking a freewheel off? I use a socket wrench and the upper part of a floor jack handle as a cheater bar to get more leverage. Honestly, even if the seat looks funky because sprayed foam? it's better than the alternitive. You know more than me on restoration and bodging. But as I watched? WOrst case yo ucould build it into a single speed. Glad you wer e able to get the gears and everything working well. Hell I'd buy it.

[@BruceChastain]

thanks Andrew

[@andyj7296]

To slide on the grips or remove them I use hand sanitizer which I am sure you also have

[@BruceChastain]

thanks Andy!

[@christopherkazukii1056]

beautiful bike. I love gt classic! can you tell me, what measure of the central movement of the crank?

[@BruceChastain]

thank you, but sorry I don't understand the question. Anyway I had to sell the bike years ago.

[@BruceChastain]

if you want to buy this bike and are in central or north east Florida let me know. What do you guys think it's worth?

[@singletona082]

I have no idea but to be honest? I'd pay $150 and feel pretty good about it. then again that's me and I soooorta know a thing or two enough to get into trouble. Vs someone that will try nickle and diming you comparing it to a walmart bike. Then again at that price you can afford to haggle down a bit.

[@BruceChastain]

I posted it up for $130, so sounds like we were thinking about the same.

[@singletona082]

@@BruceChastain Pity I'm nowhere near you. i mean ya it's low grade steal instead of chromeally, but at the same time? Looks like good bones for an n+1.

[@butts4653]

dude all you need to get leverage for that crescent wrench is to feed another crescent wrench (crescent side) through the hole on the other side and it will connect and give you leverage. Also should think about getting a ultrasonic cleaner, just mix in a little bit of that evaporust and itll take way less time and effort

[@BruceChastain]

I have been thinking of getting an ultrasonic cleaner, but wasn't sure if it would really work, maybe i'll give it a try...

[@butts4653]

@@BruceChastain oh it works good. More efficient and faster. I just got one off amazon for $100 a few years back

[@fergusonto-2032]

I have a Nishiki Sport , it has a 4130 CrMo sticker on the frame , the bike is solid , rides great , shifters work good , new tires etc; I’m going to sell it , have you got any idea what would be a fair price for it ? I really enjoy your channel & I am a subscriber .

[@BruceChastain]

thank fergu! It's hard to say how much, there are so many factors including how long you want to wait. This GT was on the lower end, and the saddle had a big tear, so after a few weeks it only sold for $90. You can always start a little on the high side and slowly work the price down if needed.

[@eladshitrit]

Hey, I'm now building the exact same bike and having trouble figuring out what size of headset and seatpost does it need. Can you please shed some light on that? Thanks ❤

[@BruceChastain]

sorry I sold the bike long ago so I don't know.

[@sveablu]

A tip for you. Loctite Kintsuglue. Comes in colors. This can repair an old saddle better than what others have said. Check it out!

[@BruceChastain]

hmm thanks Svea, I'll come back to this comment if I run across this again

[@YourOwnAdventure]

That's a deal!

[@BruceChastain]

Yeah that’s what I thought! But on the other hand spending like 7 hours on it does kinda make me question my life choices :)

[@YourOwnAdventure]

@@BruceChastain Very true. I think you're worth at least $25 an hour so that does add up 😅

[@joshuabuilds3051]

The spring on the v brake arm may have been reinstalled backwards, hence the clearance issue.

[@BruceChastain]

yeah maybe, I was kinda trying to put it another way but didn't find anything else that worked.

[@user-nn3ic1iy2k]

👍👍👍

[@BruceChastain]

thank you!

[@mohamadmansor2279]

This bike way back in 90 model

[@BruceChastain]

Based on the searching around I did it's a year 2000, or maybe 1999.

[@douglasldn2831]

Do you put a new chain on it? It was Rusty.

[@BruceChastain]

it's been awhile but I believe I managed to restore the chain in this case.

[@douglasldn2831]

You did an excellent job I thought it was a new chain.

[@nicholaswilliams1286]

how did you remove the rusted chain?

[@BruceChastain]

man I really don't remember because it's been awhile, but probably just with my chain break tool.

[@janemagana1705]

So Im a moron that spent like 170 bucks on this bike, a new chain a ton of tools and I still like dont even know where to start.

[@BruceChastain]

well in the big picture it won't matter if you paid $70 or $170. If you're not sure on what to do, meet some people who can help and or watch a bunch of YT videos.

[@aarongreenakacavemonster904]

Would you sell it 150

[@BruceChastain]

I already sold it, I think it was for $100.

[@catshit2028]

I have a chromoly Palomar and I don’t have a single original part on it lol

[@BruceChastain]

I do like these old GT, seems a lot of people do too

[@JogieGlenMait16]

i can live with anything cheapo on a bike except crappy tires.

[@user-nn3ic1iy2k]

buy a bike

[@BruceChastain]

I have enough bikes now! :)