Retro MTB - 1X Conversion & Upgrades

The Retro GT Timberline MTB is back. I converted the GT to a 1X set up and replaced the suspect bent fork with a nice Cro-Mo fork. Really stoked how it turned out, looks a lot cleaner/tidier with the 1x set up and the more modern riser bars and stem make the bike feel a lot more comfortable to ride.
New Upgrade Video - • Retro GT Timberline MT...
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Wavey Wheelies

[@tennesseeoiler8899]

Just got a 1991 Specialized Stumpjumper. Someone left it by the dumpster in my apartments. Couldn't believe it. Perfect size for me and everything. Leaving the doere thumb shifter on and converting to a 1×7. Made me appreciate watching this video even more.

[@waveywheelies]

That’s awesome!

[@TheSeventhW0Rd]

Looks great ! The ending footage was nice but was waiting for the usual riding montage

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! And my bad, I don’t know why I didn’t.. it won’t happen again!

[@dereklucero5785]

I love these rebuilds. I rebuilt my wife’s specialized hard rock from the early 90’s to a 1x9 last year…. Paint was good… it’ll last for at least 20 more years. People don’t realize that if the frame is good, it will last forever🇺🇸😁👍

[@rentii1261]

Doing the exact same thing right now. How do you like the 1x setup?

[@monkarda7938]

Love your projects ❤, your videos are very chill, and cool, thanks

[@waveywheelies]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the support✌️😊

[@dvs620]

This 2 year old video popped up in my recommendations and just from seeing the frame in the thumbnail I thought, “That’s a nice GT.” Then I saw the brand on the down tube. I love how distinctive they’re frames are. Now to watch the video.

[@TheoreticalCyclist]

I love the colour of this Timberline! Love these old bikes.

[@C4tious3D]

Another clean build!! You inspired me to my own single speed and it almost completed. Awesome video

[@waveywheelies]

Thank you!! Awesome to hear, you’ll have to show me a photo when it’s finished!

[@pigeonkickr]

I love how 1x makes the frame so tidy! Even more so GTs! I believe there is a similar chainring that goes from 130-144...

[@WalkerBikes]

Very excited to see this bike pop up again!

[@waveywheelies]

✌️

[@tennesseeoiler8899]

Love the build! Great stuff!

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks!

[@Jack.Gatasa]

This was really chill ✌🏾

[@JAMaxeRestoration]

Nice build, enjoyable easy to watch video style.

[@glennpettersson9002]

Really nice super clean look👍

[@gregmerner3632]

Really nice upgrades, well done

[@waveywheelies]

Thank you!!

[@nakitojimo2001]

Thanx for the tutorial. I'm about to convert my dad's 1992 Marin Bob Cat Trail to 1x too 😄

[@bigmikeshooter]

Great job. Bravo from Greece...

[@enorbz]

Looks like a fun build! 🤘

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! It’s super fun to rip around on🤙

[@carlogalindo]

Lovely build! Cockpit and tires are great...

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks!!

[@balloonknot3028]

Nice build 👍

[@droxlil]

Really love the upgrade

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks✌️

[@its_jowen]

You wouldn’t even believe how fast I clicked this video when I saw wavy wheelies There was no hesitation when I click on it

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks for the support my bro!

[@oJAK3yy]

Looks sick

[@DevonNroos]

Cool bike, like it a lot

[@Mydreamedvibes]

Thx! Nice rebuild and inspiration.

[@waveywheelies]

Thank you!

[@whynugs]

this is the first time I like red bikes ❤

[@PJSinohin]

Great. brake & rear mech levers matched the angles.

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! Yeah I was stoked on that too!

[@leonardooppi3430]

Great job

[@jadur]

Both look good

[@permanentmeanstreak9054]

Those funn bars rip!!!!

[@ALLMOTORLOU]

Nice set up 👍 I just finish my the other with parts I had laying around n took it out for a 65 mile ride with a 1x9 set up n love it

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! Sounds awesome man

[@Sampardhanani]

Well done. 👌

[@captainru_media]

Relaxing.

[@locoeditbreakdown5427]

beautiful!!!!

[@BruceChastain]

love it

[@jBotna]

I just converted a gray Timberline to single speed, not with that good parts but it turned out great. Gotta love old GT frames! This turned out super sweet!

[@waveywheelies]

Awesome! Yeah I do love them too. Glad you like it!

[@der9er71]

Wow, looks almost like my RM Hammer Race!

[@bosanderspublictheology]

There are MANY things that I enjoyed about this video but the front forks and the elevation of the entire front end was really cool. Thanks for taking the time to film this and edit it and post it. It was a GREAT watch.

[@bigbadstretch13yrago]

Deadset mate!!!! I have a 1991 GT Timberline that bent it’s original fork in EXACTLY the SAME PLACE!?! One jump on a small speedbump in the car park near mine. Steering felt weird. Checked it all out. Bent fork. Spewing!! Lucky I have my teeth still😬 I ride an XL/22” frame, so it was hard to find a replacement fork. It’s on it way here in the post as we speak.

[@waveywheelies]

Oh crazy! might be a weak point in the fork design? Glad you are spotted it and got it sorted before it got worse! what replacement fork did you get?

[@noahjohnson5845]

I love it! Just converted my bike to 1x and I'm not going back unless I move somewhere with crazy hills

[@waveywheelies]

Awesome!

[@Mantis858585]

If the hills are too crazy, buy an electric motor. 😆

[@leebridgwater]

Lovely

[@thesausage351]

Nice! After I saw this build, I hunted around and bought a GT frame of the same shape and I’ll be building it up as a single speed, I think. I have some carbon forks for it, and the frame is unpainted so I’ll be polishing it and having decals redone in black, rather than yellow, and I’ll try and build it using only black parts and make it a very simple, clean build, I may even use a Skyway tuff wheel, I dunno yet. I love the colour on your bike, especially with the light tan walls, it goes together so well. The fork came up a treat too man, really great spray painting job on that one. Great to see a follow up on this one too, it’s changed the whole look of the bike, definitely a fan of the new brake levers too, looks really trick.

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks!! You’ll have to send me a photo when your done, keen to see how it turns out!

[@thesausage351]

@@waveywheelies Yeah man for sure! Fortunately I just scored a Giant Thermo 1 very cheaply, I’ll throw some tyres onto it and it will be my main rider, so it’s going to allow me to do all the finishing touches of what I have now, so I can start onto the big projects sooner. I also have a pretty cool build planned with a Gary Fisher Joshua X1, I’ve ended up owning 2 of them, so I’ll do one all original and maybe do the other as a custom build and make it really 90’s with fluro and stuff, I think they look pretty sweet so it’ll be fun. Love your channel too man, your builds are always so smick, super clean and just awesome in general. Can’t wait for the next one.

[@conroe_au]

Love it man :) Been unsettled on what to do with my GT Tequesta build, and seeing the flatbars and 1x settles me a lot more that I'll likely do the same :)

[@conroe_au]

Love your resto builds and keen to see more MTB in the mix!

[@waveywheelies]

Thank you man!! Just uploaded a new video!

[@lukaszp.3134]

How old is your Tequesta? My is from '98 Boss yellow painted.

[@conroe_au]

@@lukaszp.3134 Mines a 98 too :) it's graphite coloured with yellow decals

[@lukaszp.3134]

@@conroe_au Rock Shox Indy C? STX RC 3x8? :)

[@ShortGuac]

Love this build! One thing I'd personally prefer is with the BMX chainring and more upright position I think a BMX stem and handlebar or Surly Sunrise would really take this to the next level.

[@waveywheelies]

Thank you! Yes some Surly Sunrise bars on this would be the dream

[@sergiovilla0304]

I have a gt talera same color set up with a bmx stem and surly sunrise

[@gergoolle5773]

So basically nothing has changed. Well done

[@stacybuchkowsky6376]

Nice bike

[@waveywheelies]

Cheers!

[@TheCryptGyp]

Dude did the same thing to my timberline 😂 awesome build

[@waveywheelies]

Haha nice! Thanks man!

[@haemog]

Hello! first of all, awesome bike. Love the color. Second! I have the same frame and I have an old 105 crankset that runs on a octalink BB. But I'm afraid that in order to fit the crankset I will need a BB with a longer axle and I dont know if I end up crossing the chain. Did you have any problems like this? do you have any advice? thanks!

[@vixz6441]

it's a beauty, mate #thumbsup

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks mate✌️

[@TheTrakker]

Very groovy!!!

[@waveywheelies]

✌️

[@descafirmantarawinata1063]

I like the old🔥

[@everywherelocal]

yeah! 👌

[@tonypotter9578]

She’s a beauty!

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks!!

[@runeolsen3556]

Sooo dope! Looks way, way better. Next up, black matching seat post?

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks man! Yep I did think about that, might try one out soon!

[@AtomloveFps]

Haven't found other bike build content that chill yet! Are you working as a bike mechanic on the side?

[@waveywheelies]

wow thanks! And yep I am👍

[@lukeblackwood7327]

🔥🔥🔥

[@michaelmullen7443]

I'm thinking about doing a similar conversion. Have you had any issues with the chain popping off?

[@garysprojects]

Ayyyy sick ! Yeah the forks were def bent. Good thing about steel forks is that they won’t just snap on you! Looking good with the new upgrades, how you liking the new 1x? I recently did it on one of my retro mtbs too and been loving it for jumps and stuff 👍🤗

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks bro!! Yeah loving the 1x man, did it on my road bike too. So much nicer and simpler aye👌 and yeah I saw yours! Your builds are so sick🤘

[@garysprojects]

@@waveywheelies ayooooo ! Cheers man , same with yours 🙏🙇🏻‍♂️🤗🤗

[@mikestef1]

Very nice conversion. The only thing I would do is fork with disc brake or even better carbon fork with disc brake💪😉

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks!

[@robertohanglin3612]

Amigo tengo la misma bicicleta voy a seguir tus pasos, buen video

[@waveywheelies]

Awesome✌️

[@arbenzaimi8589]

Like it . Pretty job man! Can do the same with your highttemp. rusty oven.

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! And yeah it definitely needs a bit of love

[@rule3036]

Nice👍

[@waveywheelies]

Cheers!!

[@joaobikes]

Olá. Belíssima bicicleta. Qual o tamanho e modelo do pneu?

[@NDemanuele1]

Very interesting Video! I am also interested in converting my '92 Karakoram to a 1X. It's interesting that you did it with your existing Cassette and deraileur. I'm interested in doing the same. I have a stock setup on mine - Shimano DX drivetrain ( I believe 3x8). I would prefer a smaller Chainring though - like a 32 if possible. I'd appreciate it if you can provide me with some suggestions. Thanks!

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! Flick me a message on Instagram if you want. Happy to help👍

[@azzerneinmastrie5910]

Any recomemdations for gears, brakes, ect?

[@MrSorseone]

Great video.. only thing bugging me is that you didn't remove all the yellow paint off the steerer tube..you had the fork in the blaster.. bike looked great in the end tho..

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks! And hah yeah I did think about that. I just wanted to avoid blasting the steerer because I didn’t want to have to paint it and it would of rusted if I didn’t

[@AJackal]

Really nice build and a beautiful bike in the end. However, choosing to not use a narrow wide chainring will mean the chain will pop off constantly over bumps, that's why they make them.

[@handler00017]

narrow wide are mainly used for offroad or trail riding. getting them for road use is kind of an overkill

[@ejquintana5572]

🤩🤩🤩

[@tphallett]

Hi, great rebuild. I have been restoring my 1994 GT Palomar, same colour as your Timberline. Just wondering if you found a home for the front derailleur ? I’m chasing a bottom pull STX for my GT. Let me know, thanks.

[@waveywheelies]

Hey thanks! All yours if you want it, what part of the world are in?

[@brandondare3830]

How is the chainring at keeping the chain on despite not being narrow/wide? Trying to avoid buying a new chainring heh

[@mmau]

supernice

[@waveywheelies]

✌️

[@marc5317]

Before = Great Vintage MTB - After: No way !

[@littleelvis9410]

Surely you'll want that chainring on the inside of the cranks? Chainline must be well out with the wider BB?

[@waveywheelies]

Can’t fit on the inside as it would hit the chain stay. Chainline is sweet, haven’t had any issues👍

[@milansanty3332]

What's the name of the last piece of background music? It starts at 11:35. Love the vid. Now I want to update my oldschool MTB sooo much! It's a Merida World Tour with a nice steel frame and a paintjob with tiny green and white splashes. The bike is nothing fancy, I don't think that this bike was popular back then.

[@waveywheelies]

The music is made by a friend of mine and isn’t released anywhere sorry! And thank you!Sounds like a sweet bike!

[@0815-Gummibaer]

better, but there is always room for upgrades, new-old cranks could be polisched, an by 10 or 11 casette and up to date shifter, more outstanding tubing, an ring on both sides to keep the chain from getting of the chain wheel, protecting it and your trousers ...

[@garagemslzv8465]

Look tops

[@waveywheelies]

Thanks!

[@robwaters8589]

Hi, loved the vid! Just a question and not a criticism, why the spacer above the stem and not just cut the steerer shorter to fit the cap?

[@waveywheelies]

Hey! I left it there incase I wanted to raise the stem a bit more after my first ride.

[@robwaters8589]

@@waveywheelies Ah! Obvious now!! I'll wind my neck in.

[@pineapplej7310]

Do you sell these bikes? or are they parts of your collection?

[@Mantis858585]

I don't believe bmx chainrings are narrow wide, any issues with the chain falling off?

[@landerpaunil2597]

I love the wheels set, size of the rim and tires please.?

[@waveywheelies]

26x2.3

[@magicdog5623]

Hi there, whats the rim size of your wheels? Im just asking as the maxxis look like great tyres and im wondering if they will fit on to a 17mm rim?

[@carroceriaschicharras.l.u.6757]

Hello!!! Good morning, I would like to know if you can help me, I have a MTB from the 90s. But I have a question, I don't know its size and I searched the internet and I haven't found anything. This is a 58 horizontal tube and a 43 vertical tube. Could you tell me what size this tube measurement is equivalent to? A greeting and thanks in advance.

[@soulkw]

whats the gear range on the rear

[@imeshlakshitha8479]

What is the tyres size

[@GianPadrutt]

Hey yo where do you get all your frames and parts? Thanks in advance.

[@waveywheelies]

I get them mainly in second hand marketplaces like Facebook and eBay etc

[@event4216]

Curious if chain will stay on front ring, don't they use rings with wide/narrow teeth chainrings for this? Some day triple in front of my Fisher'96 Tassajara will wear down acceptable limits so..choices, choices....

[@waveywheelies]

Had no issues and have been running it for over a week, I also run the same set up on my road bike and have had no issues

[@event4216]

Thanks! Good to know, really!

[@holgaholic]

what rims are those?

[@user-bd1gx7ky1h]

how much does this bike weigh? Thanks

[@lopezfielitz]

Can I ask a stupid question? What tools would I need to make an 1x conversion? Id love to take your video as an inspiration and do it myself. thanks a lot!

[@xoloitsquintli]

Check out RJ The Bike Guy. His channel has a bunch of tutorials and he does a good job covering what tools you need and don't need for a project.

[@leecherone7601]

Does the chain stay on with not having a guide or a clutch?

[@waveywheelies]

Yep, so far!

[@smarkasmc]

😉👍🌻

[@waveywheelies]

✌️

[@civanlfc4358]

Could someone help me with listing every tool I’ll need to build up my custom fixed gear build?

[@LouieMcFly23]

He did a video listing all the tools he uses kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4qyioGbd89rqMU

[@francissobotka8725]

You really should of taped the crown race area .Plus the crank sprocket combo isn't gonna work well ..

[@ftrae_]

what shifter is that brother? im trying to build an old classic mtb of mine

[@lukaszp.3134]

STX. I have STX RC set, still working perfect.

[@ChrisWiles-nu4sk]

With the right tools (I used a simple bike tool kit kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L that you can strap to the bike) it's simple to assemble. As a 270lb guy looking for a way to get more exercise that's easy on my feet I have been impressed by this bike. The tires ship with air in the tires, but before you ride you need to pump them up som more, but once you do you can ride with confidence. You'll definitely want to replace the seat if you're going to ride for any real distance, but that's the case with most bikes. I'm loving it and it has given me a hobby from my youth back.

[@Wobbz9413]

Spoiled a nice bike in my opinion, but understand its a trend at the minute. Ill stick with the vintage look and do things my way. Was a good watch though. Cheers

[@ponuryhutnik]

That's a big shame with the fork, it has these cool engraved GT logo, unique stuff. And even with two pair of eyelets(well who cares at this channel). I've got same year or very close(97 or 98) GT Timberline in really nice satine titan-grey finish, looks much better than all those matte finish they make today. These bikes are the last ones before they started putting suspension forks everywhere. I think they are a pinnacle of stiff fork mtb/atb, very light steel frame with fine sport geometry(quite aggresive with original looooong slack stem), unbreakable stx/acera X components, sturdy wheels. I was very surprised how cool this bike rides, I'm going to make it like monstercross with drop bars, because are like them much more, but first time a wide flared drop bar, will see what is so cool in that "gravel" stuff.

[@waveywheelies]

Yeah I was pretty gutted about the forks, can't make myself throw them away even though they are bent. I tried to find a similar fork with the GT logo near the drop out but couldn't find any. That sounds like a cool project! I recently got my hands on a 93 Ricochet that I plan to restore, its got the original Rock Shox Quadra forks that I'm not sure what to do with yet. Would prefer to swap out to rigid if I can find a decent fork.

[@brandonquinte9348]

Do you have issues with the chain popping off on hard trails? I did the same conversion to mine and it can't handle more than 15 kmh on rocky roads.

[@brandondare3830]

Interested in the same, I'm trying to avoid buying a narrow/wide chainring, is your chainring ramped/pinned?

[@brandonquinte9348]

@@brandondare3830 It's just a normal cheap chainring and crank arm combo. I just found out that the issue on mine is derailleur tension and chain alignment.

[@waveywheelies]

Unfortunately I haven’t taken it on any trials yet so I’m not too sure! It’s been perfect so far on the road as a commuter (with a few curb hops and messing around)

[@Thesusoperator]

Tan walls makes bikes look good

[@waveywheelies]

I agree!

[@alanmarquez4920]

Where did you buy the rigid fork threadless?

[@alanmarquez4920]

I really want one rigid fork to my 90's Manitou Anwser with v-brakes mount

[@waveywheelies]

Came on another old mtb! Not too sure who sells new rigid threadless 26” forks sorry! They seem pretty hard to find

[@SenorJhzii]

i’m pretty sure Surly do some rigid 26” forks, not sure if they do any for v-breaks though

[@petrosspetrosgali]

What size are those DTHs?

[@waveywheelies]

26x2.3