Vintage Ibis Bike Restoration - Ibis Made Novara Ponderosa

When you find an awesome classic 80's mountain bike at the thrift store you buy it, or at least I do. This 1988 Ibis made Novara Ponderosa was a super fun bike to restore. It took a lot of work to get it from old and neglected to new and custom. I also wanted to restore it to a more Ibis style bike, as it was made by Ibis for REI, and was essentially the same bike as the Ibis Avion, I went for more of that look.
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Music from Epidemic Sound bit.ly/30pwbOZ

[@bumblebeebob]

Another incredible save! Some people relax by watching Bob Ross, l relax by watching oldshovel.

[@oldshovel]

Lol thanks

[@northernairmtb4183]

Same.

[@Amusingsnippets]

Same here as I can't restore bike's at the moment due to ill health but love watching old shovel channel

[@craigmaddison8254]

He does have a very calming effect.

[@Kunioak]

Really is so relaxing to watch haha!

[@miilo25]

30 hours work... I would have need that amount of time just for truing the wheels ;-) Great job !

[@nawaal4452]

This is simply beautiful. I can't tell you how important your videos are to me. Going through a rough patch, and watching your videos makes me feel better and calms me down. Thank you, I absolutely love your work. Big big fan

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@user-fi8kj3im1p]

I seriously the appreciate a mechanic who will re-lace a wheel to fully restore it back to it's previous glory. Ride on my dude!

[@JohnSefton]

I bought a bike that was rough painted in black.Similar circumstances to yours from my neighbour ,but the person he acquired it from didn't rough the original colour ,so i was able to remove the black paint to reveal the original paint job & decals.It was only a blowover & he even painted the cables black.It also had carriers fitted & that's where the simularity ends..The bike itself was a fixed wheel with a single cog gear.I managed to get the black paint off with some pads & soap.It was made in London England, i live in Liverpool.The bike was made by a company called Chill bikes,they specialised in Fixies.They had the website etched on the frame.I gave the bike to my son,or rather he claimed it.I was lucky as i did not have the volume of work that you encountered.Much respect to you for what you put into the build , & a great video ,thanks. John Sefton.

[@grantkoeller8911]

The bike came out great, and the value shot up as well from $15 to $300, just like that!!!!

[@BruceChastain]

looks absolutely wonderful

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@hugo3m555]

omg amazing bike paint ! new video!

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@hugo3m555]

@@oldshovel you will make more videos?

[@hugo3m555]

@@oldshovel you will make more videos

[@demiegamboa8185]

I say you're a Magician,you did your magic on that bike.

[@tac6044]

I'm just getting started on a 1986 Diamondback Accent restoration. Its honestly the coolest looking bike I've ever seen and amazingly comfortable. Neighbor gave it to me.

[@jeffgeorge6195]

Makes me wish I had spent more time hanging around Johnson’s Cycle shop in my youth. I throughly enjoy your videos

[@shafismaili1347]

I love that your retro paint job honours the origional.

[@TheAtarashiiKaze]

The amount of time and effort you put into the process shows how this is a labor of love!

[@steve00alt70]

labour + VAT

[@marcolon1409]

you are the best in the restoration of bicycles I love your videos continue to give a big hug.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@Ceremony74]

Wow, this was AMAZING! I paused the video at the 20 minute mark to admire the bike. Very nice job!

[@mountainsmoore3657]

I have probably watched this one half a dozen times, but still diggin' it!

[@voodoo7008]

What a find of such a high quality frame. This bike is a perfect example of mtb frame evolution. From a road bike type geometry, to the slanted top tubes. The previous owner had no idea what they had. Thank you for your work and effort to bring a piece of mtb history back to life, in a big way.

[@joManTan]

Always wanted a bike.

[@FasterThanSoup]

Seeing it come together is satisfying for you and over 360,000 people living vicariously through your professional craftsmanship.

[@bigzen69]

I don't know if you seen it but your heart was in that bike you sir are a true Craftsman best build ever thank you for that

[@brv002]

Sitting here, sipping on my tea while it rains outside. Watching this awesome restoration while I put some lo-fi jazz in the background. Very therapeutic!

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@Redcloud1867]

Inspired by your patience and diligence...beautiful build

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@elmostafagourram5150]

Hello, it's very nice what you do, give life to dead bikes, take care of these bikes while the others reject them, give value when others despise.

[@joselitosabater1725]

amizing old shovel restoration

[@mareaaan988]

I have been looking for this kind of content for years: narration and detail. Good Job!

[@gregkellow4723]

A labor of love. The charm of those vintage bikes. You cannot compare the new boutique and big box store bikes to the craftsmanship of those bikes. They are simple and practical in there design and got the intended job done well. Thank you for sharing your passion!

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@henrybutchy3242]

You are as unto a god to me. (And I have rebuilt 20 +- old bikes in my new retirement.) Keep safe, keep well, keep wrenching. Cheers.

[@kurti204]

I am speachless, about this incredible Paint Job. You save Bikes and Retsurating them, other People put them in Trash. I wished i could see your Build live, but i am to far away. In my Home, ther is no such a Great Bike Restarator, only simple Bike Shops, that sell new Bikes. But i learn much in your Video. But i think, i will NEVER get such incredibble Painting Skills like you. But its ok. I would buy one of your Classic Bikes if i could

[@ProfessorGalileu]

I have to say that your work is more that we see. It lays on what you can see that others can't. You found this bike throught the welding... amazing.

[@easysauceb4674]

I got a Schwinn mirada the other day fixed it up and now I’m in love with it . Honestly I felt lucky.

[@stbu9709]

Great video, no stupid background music, a skilled technician using the correct tools and a fantastic restoration. Thank you 👍

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@connerbroaddus830]

I know that feeling of how satisfying it is to see it all come together, I recently restored an old Schwinn road bike with one of my good friends

[@houseofpills]

rad

[@byrondot]

In this video, apart of the passion for the details, one can feel the love that you give to these abandoned bikes. Thanks to bring them to life again!

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@adriancaldwell]

Beautiful job. I'm in the process here in the UK of restoring an old Giant Boulder from 92 and this is inspiration

[@patsytankersley1372]

My husband and I still have our original Novara Ponderosas, mine is the same blue color as your restoration bike, this video sure makes me appreciate them more. Great job!

[@woolfy101]

Just finishing a build from several older abandoned bikes in various states of destruction, something I’ve not done since I was 12. Can’t wait for the next one as I think I have to go in a bit deeper after seeing this.

[@ongoosetv1839]

I love those smooth ang shiny crank arm..great job..nice watching old finds back to its glory!

[@juliocastillo5559]

Geezus lord you even dissembled the wheels! Amazing work!

[@clark57225]

Thank you for bringing an early mountain bike back to life. Your $15.00 purchase was merely the entry price of this fabulous rebuild, but it made possible an additional 40 hours of skilled labor worth it. Thank you for your detailed step-by-step documentary. Thumbs up.

[@donaldmaclean1872]

I love seeing things being brought back to life. Taking things and restoring them to working order is really satisfying for me,being able to invest a little time and effort into a build and coming out with something that is able to be reused and have fun with is really rewarding. Taking things that no one wanted and considered junk and transforming it into a rebuilt and useable item is definitely rewarding. You really can't buy anything that has higher quality than an item you built yourself,starting with quality parts and investing a little time and effort. If you do find anything with good quality,you're going to pay top dollar for it for sure.

[@oldshovel]

Amen. Thanks.

[@HK-pn6iv]

Those cleaned crankset amazed me

[@marksadventures3889]

Watching a craftsman at work, no inappropriate loud dance music, a bike looking great, what's not to like, thanks for posting.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks Mark

[@roberttuss5349]

Tremendous craftsmanship!

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@yazzmatazz86]

I started watching this and soon enough realized I had already seen it. I still rewatched it. I enjoying hearing your stories and appreciate it when you provide a little more insight into the restoration process. I bought a used bike frame recently and am eagerly awaiting it arrival in the mail. The first version of my build will be cobbled together from parts stripped off my old bike, but in future versions I plan on repainting and giving it the same kind of love you give these old bikes of yours.

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@Kai-ze2rb]

A dream! I wouldn´t want to ride these today but it reminds me of the time when I started. Incredible work, just amazing. And the fade painting is a masterpiece.

[@paulgeraghty6041]

Awesome as always its amazing the sticker on the chain ring lasting so many years

[@grimlinvapor]

Growing up my dad had a ponderosa this kinda took me back great job

[@etdwh]

I like watching the old throwaway becoming gems again. Subscribed 👍🏾

[@jeffpower6473]

Once when I was completely broke I found a Franklin tandem complete with a full campagnolo record groupset , and Phil wood hubs for $40. I was able to resell it for $1500 in a week and it was an absolute God send .

[@oldshovel]

Awesome find and I’ve had similar experiences. Sometimes those right things just come when we need them the most. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@UltimateWedgieParachuteCo]

Thanks for reintroducing the Smoke/Dart combo. It was all the rage way back when - I had no idea they still made them. Your attitude towards each of your projects is what inspires us. Your expertise and attention to detail are the tools used to create these pieces of art. Thanks for having the courage to share who you are with us.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@hurlburt808]

I am like you I find old bikes and do complete rebuilds I do not have as nice as shop as you have and I am limited to resources do to living in Hawaii. I have learned from you and enjoy your videos , I agree its Zin like putting a bike back together an riding or putting it in the hands for some one ells to enjoy ,as you say (giving them new life). I am a big fan of paint stripper ,simple green and 1000 steel wool and a lot of elbow grease !

[@oldshovel]

Awesome my friend.

[@gregtaylor6146]

I USED to be a fan of paint stripper ..... till I realised how hazardous it is to the environment, I now use old shovel's method or, if there are several thick/old coats, I'll have it sandblasted, I'd never use paint stripper.....ever.

[@the1andonly]

Love this video. I ride an old 1984 Norco for all my tours, some of which have lasted several months. Old mountain bikes are awesome and very underrated.

[@oldshovel]

Agreed

[@franciscogonzalez1031]

I always wondered if there was anyone out there that did what you do, and I'm so glad to see that there is someone. I came across your channel, and was instantly hooked. I've loved bikes ever since I learned how to ride one. It's wonderful to see you saving them, taking care of them and giving them a new lease on life. I've had my Dyno for 25 years, and still keep it looking and working like new. Keep those videos coming, and I'll keep watching them. Great entertainment while quarantined. Thank you.

[@leSenna78]

Bonjour Je suis français et je retape aussi de vieux spads et j’adore vos rénovations!!! Good job 😉👌 A bientôt

[@oldshovel]

Merci mon ami.

[@ltdees2362]

Beautiful as always! Just spent this week bringing back to life a 1978 Pioneer SX-3400 receiver thrift-store find...go where your passion takes you...💗

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@ltdees2362]

@@oldshovel Your mastery of repairing and restoring bicycles is quite remarkable in the calmness and ease of your ability but more important, the love of that end result. Its the joy of a natural flowing talent. I find that same satisfaction restoring vintage electronics. It takes my mind off the troubled world, which I have no control anyway, and puts me in a spiritual world of piece. That satisfaction is quite profound and keeps fear, criticism and negativism out of my life.

[@denverspin]

Fantastic

[@garyarbogast6703]

Your videos are very captivating for me. I ride an 86 stumpjumper sport and really enjoy watching new life brought into these high quality, perfectly good bikes.

[@sebastianp.4331]

I only restaurate bikes without painting because i like the history every scratch wants to tell. Despite that I really love your style because it’s kind of art. Perhaps the only art I’m able to understand 😛 Thanks for sharing your content.

[@potaylor9992]

That came out perfect. Really awesome build. Smooth Ride

[@oldshovel]

Thanks 🙏

[@rsf9891]

love what your doing..bringing life to old bikes.

[@ericmonty]

Lots of nostalgia with this one. My first major purchase after I started working at 15 was a 1990 Novara Ponderosa. Only thing different about the frame was that they ditched the U-brake and went back to cantilevers.

[@leradicideglialberi]

That frame is a jewel!

[@alutious]

Fantastic job! Love the hubs, brake levers and beefy brake calipers. Your buffing has motivated me to buff my cranks. I refurbed my old 1997 Giant and then started putting more and more on it, adding wider bars, wider tires and a simple front fork which allowed me to put some disk brakes on it with the addition of some inexpensive wheels that have a rim brake track and 6 bolt holds for the rotor, so i run rim in the back and disk in the front. A nice upgrade to smooth out rides and stop vibration braking down the steep road by my place. With secured/locked axles i use it as an alternative for shopping. The wheel base and smaller 26" wheels give it a great feel and change compared to my other bikes. Too bad i did this a year ago, since we have more time like you said. I enjoy your video, great job. I would not have chosen white for the pedals as i ding those up pretty good, but it matches nicely. The bike has lots of mounting points so it will make for a good gift to someone.

[@qwertyazerty2137]

these fades are amazing. this blue in particular resembles gios' factory blue. another great restoration.

[@blixsalanio6031]

My stress reliver every watching your restoration old bikes video b’coz am bike lovers,from PHILLIPINES

[@lesliekirk7036]

It’s good to see you use plenty of grease nice1 keep the videos coming Les uk

[@heinzdmb2045]

U- brake, Shimano SiS with deselector switch, biopace all brings back memory. I’m getting old. Great job.

[@mimimitol]

To see you restore it is so satisfying! If only I could send my classic road bike to you. Agh. 😩

[@rolandovera5935]

You are true artist my friend. Seeing you’ve posted new video is little like a Christmas Day gift.

[@oldshovel]

Lol thanks

[@ParkerErisman]

I know right! I have notifications on and he didn’t even ask me to like some youtubers.

[@abandoneduniverses]

Salutations from vintage mtb restorer from Greece

[@FasterThanSoup]

Not gonna lie - that 20 minutes was better than the last time I had...well, you know.

[@antoniodecastrojunior6470]

How beautiful! Absolutely brilliant! Congratulations!

[@RC.Time-Crawlers]

Wow what a wonderful looking bike. Great job!👏 Just Restored a Hercules 3 speed $29. Never have I seen a 3 speed incredible technology. I spent hours and hours and hours as you mentioned, now I truly appreciate how wonderful and incredibly designed these bicycles were made years ago. Well take care and hopefully you have more restoration to watch. 🙋‍♂️

[@n01celticfan18]

TOP RESTORATION AND REPAIR YOU SAID IT YOUR SELF, A LOT OF WORK READY FOR THE ROAD YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF.

[@ronaldlapointe1219]

Your videos are very satisfying to watch! 👍👍

[@tommyherbert3931]

You did an awesome restoration job.The color blue was the right choice. Enjoyed watching this video.

[@moreseun]

This is what KZbin is for 🙏🏽💥. Inspiring and artful, thank you!

[@michaelsnedden9029]

I love that you can see the potential in old bikes. I also restore old bikes and sometimes I bring home a sad looking bike and my wife gives me that, "Huh?" look. I just can't be bothered with turning my restorations into videos but I sure appreciate that you do. Keep up the great content. If I may offer a suggestion, though. I use an ultrasonic parts cleaner with a little Simple Green in the water. The parts come out beautifully clean in a fraction of the time with little to no scrubbing. Once you try it, you'll wonder how you did restorations without it.

[@shigjetar]

I'm convinced Oldshovel is a masochist because he always completely rebuilds the wheels

[@JDzAlive]

I’ve always enjoyed watching people who are really good at what they do. You are a craftsman, and this was awesome. Stay well, and thanks!

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@Tryinglittleleg]

best build by far. Absolutely stunning

[@chillwill1083]

I just got a new Ibis DV9. It's so cool seeing this piece of history and where they came from. Thank you so much for making these videos and doing all of this work. I really appreciate all the time, effort, and love that goes into each one.

[@bigbadstretch13yrago]

That bike has that ‘I’ve been stolen outta some backyard at some point paintjob.’ It’s sad, I hope the original owner didn’t miss it too much😕 You did it justice though. Spot on work again @Oldshovel

[@bobsteel7196]

Great job! You sir, are an artist. It was like watching a great painter creating a masterpiece. I'm not just talking about the fabulous painting of the bike, I'm talking about the whole build. So fun to watch a person with your skill. Thank you.

[@ahmadmohamad578]

How magical💫 it feels satisfying when watching your restorations. Noticed the park tool equipments! Really thanks for such wonderfull videos😁

[@northernairmtb4183]

Great build as always, can't wait till you do another modernized 90s bike like the Kona though.

[@oldshovel]

I have 3 in cue to do this.

[@northernairmtb4183]

Oh good can not wait.

[@robgclarkson]

what a lovely bike... congrats man, another inspirational video

[@oldshovel]

Thanks Rob

[@johnthompson9602]

Thank you ! Your video makes me believe that, contrary to my previous beliefs, mankind actually deserves to survive.

[@oldshovel]

Lol 😂

[@robertsossi3186]

Loved your video. No 15 minute face to camera telling your life story etc just pure renovation done slowly, carefully and clearly. Well done. Makes me want to go out there and start looking for discarded bikes.

[@keeanmorishita8457]

Right down to the rare still usable Uniglide cassette. I'm impressed!

[@hiramdominicus7413]

Is SO SATISFYING seeing how a thing is dismantled 🙃

[@KingClak]

These videos are like meditation for me. Thank you so much for your channel and this video!

[@scottsmith2971]

Love it! Well done! I remember U-brakes - hated cleaning them after a muddy ride.

[@Mrobi54]

My favorite of your rebuilds so far. Excellent work.

[@thesilverbackozzy8323]

That's a thing of beauty.

[@leebridgwater]

Beautifully done

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@thegaragebikeshop2470]

You are a genius!!! Nothing else to say, the results are awesome

[@renosaintz7864]

Dang! Reason why I subscribe, we need more people that learn how to appreciate good old things before

[@betotrono]

The pure zenlike joy you bring to this and your satisfaction of the end product brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for the great content.

[@spokesmann]

Superb work. Love classic MTBs.