GT Zaskar Retro Mountain Bike Rebuild 1996 - A Classic

In this video I’ll be rebuilding this classic 1996 GT Zaskar retro mountain bike. Quite the sought after bike of the 90's with Hans Rey pioneering a new trend of trials and extreme mountain bike riding. Everybody wanted one.. Problems on this were quite extensive but if you're ok on the tools then not such a big deal. The rear hub had broke away at the flange, quite common on these early Hope hubs, front wheel bearings worn out, from rim worn through the brake surface it had been use so much, had a 9 speed rear derailleur on an 8 speed setup, front mech was wrong for the chainring sizes, cables all crusty and corroded, brakes a bit rusty, tyres perished, elastomers in the forks had turned to dust and the aluminium frame oxidised from left in damp garage for a very long time. After quite a journey I was still pleased to get it in the boot of the car though! Enjoy the video..
Decals supplied by / retrodecals
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[@Montytian]

this channel is so underrated！ very nice work! you can beat "oldshovel" at any time

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

Awesome build ! I love GT's . All my rides are 90's hardtails. I have a 99 Zaskar and 98 Avalanche le.

[@bikerebuilder]

Nice! Both quality rides 🙂Thanks for the comments.

[@toddzachary4891]

Loved these Zaskars. Had one just like this in 98. It’s one of the few I wish I still had. Great video! Keep up the good work 👍🏼

[@bikerebuilder]

@@toddzachary4891 I never had one back then but they always caught my eye in the magazines. Think at that time I had a Raleigh Dynatech or Stumpjumper. Might have changed to the Stumpjumper that year 🤷🏼‍♂️ Was a long time ago!

[@danielwiles1835]

Do love a ball burnished Zaskar all polished up, lovely build. I'd leave the saddle but change the Marin tyres. 👍

[@bikerebuilder]

Yeah I’m 100% with you on that. I have some fire XC pro for it now but just wanted to get the video out there. I’m too impatient! 😂

[@speedn16v]

Nice build! Good to see you can get replacement polymer springs for the Judy XC. I found mine were crumbled like that about 15 years ago. I ended up getting another XC from eBay that had the White Brothers gas cartridges installed. Maybe I’ll try and rebuild my original Judy now.

[@juancarlossalinamontilla511]

Que hermoso trabajo, sinceramente amo la marca GT

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks! They’re lovely bikes the old 90s ones. 👌🏻

[@bikerebuilder]

I love the XT 737 and 739 stuff. Works really well doesn’t it 👍🏻

[@jeremynorth]

This is a lovely restoration. I wondered why you didn't put a clear coat once you'd polished the frame and added the decals. However that is a minor thing, it looks great. One of my current projects is a GT from around this era. I've put on a solid fork and am still looking for inspiration to go forward.

[@alperenkaradeniz8482]

Very well , you have replaced the original parts of xt 1997 set like mines , br m 739 my favorite

[@samblenkharn8099]

That's a beauty

[@justincrane3883]

Best one yet mate 👊👌

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks mate. Had a lap on it today. You probably saw on Strava Justin.

[@justincrane3883]

@@bikerebuilder 👏👏 looks a nice route that mate next time you go give me a shout

[@justincrane3883]

@@bikerebuilder 5 big peddle pushes and the glider should smash that route 😂😎

[@bikerebuilder]

@@justincrane3883 Haha - All the mod cons n that 😆

[@TheValueBikeAdvocate]

Nice Build!!🤩

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks man!

[@RoyBramlowe]

its a beauty that's for sure

[@bikerebuilder]

@@RoyBramlowe Thanks mate 🙂

[@TheElbrasso]

Awesome build! It's certainly a nice saddle, a straight black GT saddle may look cleaner. I'd be tempted to try some Panaracers blue or maybe even yellow stripe if it were mine :)

[@bikerebuilder]

@@TheElbrasso Thanks man. Very nearly put some blue Fire XC Pro on it and I still might. I’ll upload it as an update if I do. Thanks for your comments and suggestions 🙂

[@jameshall9467]

@@bikerebuilder told you 🤣

[@bikerebuilder]

@@jameshall9467 Yes… on the tyres and the saddle 🤣

[@bikerebuilder]

Loved this build! What's your thoughts on the red in the saddle. Get rid or add more red? 🙂

[@roberthopkins4204]

Niiice 😍

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks man! 😊

[@bobjenkins8558]

What do you do with the bikes once they’re built ? And how can you tell the difference between a Zaskar and a Avalanche? Good job on the forks also.

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks for your comment. Some bikes are not mine, some I keep and some are moved on to make way for more builds. The 96 Zaskar and Avalanche are really similar looking frames but the Avalanche is 7000 aluminium whereas the Zaskar is 6061. This number is stamped inside of the rear dropout.

[@bobjenkins8558]

@@bikerebuilder Thanks for the info I’ve alway’s wondered

[@timcarter7051]

Zaskar has a flat cap at the seat tube / top tube junction , Avalanche has a rounded cap. Back in the day, the bike did not come with a clear coat . Clear coat gets cloudy a flakes with age . A ball burnished frame just takes some Mothers and elbow grease to get it looking great again! Zaskars are great..l have an 07911911 with full Deore xt and rear u brake ...gonna keep that bike forever!

[@silver_c1oud]

Lovely

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks - Quite a bit of work but I enjoyed this one!

[@jameshall9467]

Nice 👌🏻

[@bikerebuilder]

@@jameshall9467 even the red saddle? 🤣

[@jameshall9467]

@@bikerebuilder you already know my thoughts 😁 get a flite on it

[@bikerebuilder]

@@jameshall9467 🫣🤣

[@jamestorres5582]

That's Bad Ass

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks man! 🙂

[@renevanderlinde6221]

Dude,,,,, love what you are doing, just some advise, edit your vid with a good tune to boot, it will work much better

[@bikerebuilder]

@@renevanderlinde6221 Hey thanks for the suggestion. Do you mean all the way through or just up front? I had mixed comments about music before but maybe it was the tune 🤪

[@renevanderlinde6221]

@@bikerebuilder i am aware there is copy right issues with tunes, i cant judge your skill, (by the way you obviously know what you are doing) but from a prespective looking at the clip, i will have sound all the way , please check out 129ers , there is some great background sounds you can edit into your future clips

[@bikerebuilder]

@@renevanderlinde6221 I’ll do that thanks. Maybe tryout a test run in the future 🎵

[@toddzachary4891]

As a 12-year bike shop mechanic, I enjoy these build and restoration videos without music. The sweet sounds of bike work being done are all we need 👍🏼

[@bikerebuilder]

@@toddzachary4891 that’s nice to hear that you enjoy watching the videos. Especially coming from a cycle mechanic 🔧 Thanks for your input 🙂

[@СаидСаид-е1х]

жирная навеска была. Просто инженерное порно

[@bikerebuilder]

Thanks man!