[Closed] Restoring my 26" hard-tail... can I be a**ed?

I'd say it's worth doing. I built up a 26" 456 at the start of lockdown and it's been great for local riding. I doubt it'll be worthwhile doing with all new bits but as it's already old then a few second hand parts will work fine. Plenty of reasonable 26" wheels out there. No reason not to keep the brakes if they work. What speed is it. 1x10 is fine imo. 1x9 will probably work too. If it's just a new cassette then it'll be cheap. You can always upgrade later.

Lots of folk still ride on kit older than that! I'd just get a new seatpost/saddle and 2nd hand wheels and ride it as is. Maybe a bit of brake fluid and fork oil. None of the trails we ride has changed since back then, only the bike marketing has.

You've kept it this long so there's a fair chance you won't be throwing it out? Useless as it is so restoration is the only viable option. Once you start you'll soon get the bug and the GT will be next.
You will of course need the Ragley while these things are happening.
Welcome back.

ps. Totally agree with Nick, 9 speed probably more than enough for most casual riding.

I’d just get a new seatpost/saddle and 2nd hand wheels and ride it as is.

This.

Haha - thanks for the replies! I had completely talked myself into buying new so the old bits could go on my even older LTS frame :p Since absolutely noone asked, here's a pic of my LTS https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vx4wejFqMkPYzVrQNi2SOFanne5FuWWy/view

Yeah the Hope brakes are so serviceable that they'll be fine with some new pads+fluid. Fork servicing has always been out of my skillset (a bike mechanic in the 90s) but a trip to LBS would be fine.

Existing mechs and shifters are XT 3x9 (always felt like a perfect range to me). Could I just get any old 9spd XT cassette? I'd prefer a new cassette ideally rather than one with 20 years of someone elses' grinding on it... if I can find one to work with 15 year old 3x9 XT.
I always preferred SRAM chains with the powerlink connectors though for easy tube/tyre changes. No idea if SRAM powerlink still exists or if Shimano now have a similar gadget. Again, can I get a brand-new chain to fit old 3x9?

Wheels. Second-hand is fine. It's just annoying having to scour eBay all the time and prices for used 26" end up being close to what I remember paying for them new!

My thought now is that both options are correct.
Buy a new bike (Ragley) for me to actually use most of the time. Then build up the LTS with these old bits and ditch the trusty On-One frame.

Singlespeed it. That's what I did with an old Ti 26" frame I had. TBF, I did have the wheels too.

Existing mechs and shifters are XT 3×9 (always felt like a perfect range to me). Could I just get any old 9spd XT cassette? I’d prefer a new cassette ideally rather than one with 20 years of someone elses’ grinding on it… if I can find one to work with 15 year old 3×9 XT.
I always preferred SRAM chains with the powerlink connectors though for easy tube/tyre changes. No idea if SRAM powerlink still exists or if Shimano now have a similar gadget. Again, can I get a brand-new chain to fit old 3×9?

There's still plenty of new 9 speed stuff available. I personally prefer 2x9 using steel Deore 26-36 rings and an 11-34 cassette.

I’ve got a pair of 26” wheels - Shimano XT hubs, silver Mavic 717 rims, DT Swiss DB spokes in excellent condition.
They’re just sitting around in my workshop and I think hard of just chucking them out....

I’d just get a new seatpost/saddle and 2nd hand wheels and ride it as is.

This x3, looks near enough the same as my missus' Inbred. Service the forks (easy peasy) and it'll be good to go.

A basic steel shimano cassette will be fine, 11-36 is perfect IMO, CRC may have them (Acera IIRC) but they're not exactly rare. SRAM PC-9x chains still exist and yes, powerlinks are still a thing. Don't worry about any chat about needing pliers, that's just the higher speed stuff that doesn't pop off as easily.

@andy-r if the OP doesn't want those wheels I certainly would as I'm trying to get a bike together for my sister in law.

After a few calls it seems tracking down full bike builds in the make/model/size/colour I want is a bit problematic at the moment, with demand up and manufacturing/supply chains all over the place. In the olden days I would have just bought bits and put it together because I would be keeping existing forks, seat posts, cranks etc. But starting from scratch with a new 650b or 29" build it's cheaper to get something ready to roll.

Also I'm not convinced on 650b vs 29 yet... having never actually ridden either. 29" to me just seems more road/tourer which to be honest is probably closer to the type of riding I would actually do... flat/gravel/fire-roads/bridleways with road to get to and from etc.

So rebuild it is! Thanks all - a fantastic job of persuasion there!
Bits can go on the On-One. When I'm ready with a new bike it can all be transplanted onto the GT LTS for retro cruising around town. I'll ignore the thought about how stable the bearings/bushes of the pivot mechanism are for now.

@andy-r Are they disk hubs? I would happily take them off your hands for an agreeable amount of dosh and cover postage/hassle/beer.
IIRC Shimano disk hubs had a splined fitting. My Hope hubs and rotors were a 6-bolt fitting. I'm guessing there's an adaptor or something? Hope rotors still seem to be 6-bolt fitting.

So any 9 speed Shimano cassette should work then. This ( https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cassettes/1132-shimano-deore-xt-csm770-9-speed-cassette/) looks exactly like the one I had but a bit of a premium on that for old XT I guess.
Alivio 12-36, a bit cheaper but will do the job https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-alivio-hg400-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod119945

Great news that SRAM powerlink still exists - it was just so much easier than diddling about with a chain tool just to get your bike in the car. I used to curse when someone would ask me to change their tyre/tube and I couldn't just loop the chain and wheel right off.

Again, SRAM PC9x chains are compatible with any 9 speed Shimano too? I just get the impression that more modern 11-12 speed kit requires matching sprockets/chains/rings for optimum use but 9 speed should be ok.

Thanks so far!

You can use pretty much any 9 speed Shimano or SRAM cassette and/or chain, they should pretty much all work, I'd raid eBay/classifieds for a used wheelset, no point breaking the bank...

TBH, I'd just flog the LTS to help fund bits for the inbred...

IIRC Shimano disk hubs had a splined fitting. My Hope hubs and rotors were a 6-bolt fitting. I’m guessing there’s an adaptor or something? Hope rotors still seem to be 6-bolt fitting.

Depends, the XT's of old were 6 bolt but the adaptors are easily available if not.

Yes the XT is more expensive but that's probably an alloy cassette rather than steel. I just said sod it and went for the cheapo. The SRAM chain will be compatible, TBH I run a SRAM chain on my 11sp stuff as well with no issues.

Flog the lot and buy a new bike.

Sell the on one by parts, and the lts frame they were rubbish anyway.

Buy the On one scandal or that ragley.

It will just work and not need so much faff.

Im kind of tempted to sell you my wheelset of my daily rider, which are pro2 in gold, with gold skewers and gold 160/180 mono rotors, but id have a problem replacing them and the bike is my only mode of transportation. Ive new pro4 in purple, but the front is a purple XC and wont take a 15mm bolt through axle.
If you do decide to go on with it, ive spare newish gold skewers, seatclamps and a spare 203 gold saw rotor thats about new. On one is 30mm seatclamp isnt it 😕 in which case ive one of those too, and new gold levers and new master cylinder caps plus new bar end caps.

Why are you having to split the chain to fix a puncture or get it in the car? Am I missing something?

Flog the lot and buy a new bike.

Sell the on one by parts, and the lts frame they were rubbish anyway.

Buy the On one scandal or that ragley.

It will just work and not need so much faff.

Besides the faff of actually sourcing anything right now. Nowt wrong with Inbreds either but I suppose opinions are like arseholes.

the front is a purple XC and wont take a 15mm bolt through axle.

@dyna-ti Yes it will! Or can rather. You'll need new bearings but Kayla at Bikepunx made me up the necessary spacer and end caps for mine, been running 15mm quite happily since last summer.

Plenty of 26”, 100/135 quick release wheels and hubs around. XT hubs still listed by Madison in 6 bolt, DT Swiss (Madison again) doing some cracking 26” rims too. I think Hope do 26” too. I’m still on 3 x 9 for the 42/32/22 teeth between bridleways and trails. Top quality getting rarer but still being produced. XT 11-34 not imported now but 11-32 are and lower quality ones too. Good quality Shimano 9 speed chains still available as are Aztec floating 6 bolt rotors up to 180mm and gold in places! Hope this helps - still having fun on my 21 year old Gringo....

I've some Hope Pro2 6 bolters/26" Mavic 717's all in black if you're interested. PM me if you like.

I'd just get the bits you need and ride it!

As for the LTS, get over to retrobike.co.uk, disappear down the rabbit hole the emerge with a full, period correct rebuild.

For God's sake, just buy a new bike. I'm tight fisted but 15 years between upgrades? The new bike will feel like a dream compared to a collection of begged, borrowed and stolen old tat.

For the record I'm in a similar position. I recently snapped up a Cotic Soul for a 'budget build' then discovered how rare and expensive 26" parts are. And when it's done it'll be crap compared to a modern version.

Exactly.... sell the old tat.

If you press it into use it won't be long before the minis leak, and you find you can't buy decent tyres in 26 anymore or your fork develops a creak.

Add to that new bikes actually are far more fun than even the top of the line old 26ers. The advances in geometry, dropper seatposts, 29ers, even suspension forks are massive.

Yes your old bike will be as much fun as it always was, but new bikes are just better and more fun. Your new biking mates will be riding stuff you find you can't and will be having more fun.

Theres loads of people with rose tinted specs that will pay a premium for your old junk. I went through this dilemma myself not so long ago.

These seem to be in stock, just add a brand-x dropper seatpost from start fitness https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOSCGX/on-one-scandal-sram-gx-mountain-bike

bcfse 1 I’ve sent you a message....

I started riding in relatively recent years on begged/stolen/borrowed old bits of 26er stuff.

I learned a lot building up a number of older frankenbikes, but in your position I'd just get the Ragley. It'll ride nicer, and just work, and get you onto the trails now (assuming you can actually get hold of one). Plus it'll have modern standards for everything and hence be relatively future proof.

I think the equation changes if you have most of the parts already, or you fancy something a bit different (e.g. single-speed) as a hack/second bike and you don't mind taking your time finding bargain bits.

Plus it’ll have modern standards for everything and hence be relatively future proof.

I agree with fixing up the old one. But let’s be honest we all know how this plays out...

you fix up the old bike and start riding more and more.....you upgrade a few bits and ride some more......you realize  n+1 is a real thing and buy the Ragley anyway......and repeat.

Thanks for all the replies. I agree with... everyone!
I definitely appreciate that a new bike would run a heck of alot better than restoring my old tat. As I said that Ragley just looks super-fun. After a bit of phoning around yesterday it seems getting hold of one is a bit problematic right now though

So as an interim measure I'm going to rebuild my old tat. Then buy new, perhaps even frame-up.

So wheels and drivetrain/cassette can be sorted.
Only thing remaining are 145mm/165mm rotors for my Hope Mini #5 IS-mount calipers - seem easy enough to get.

Now for a bit of shopping! Thanks for the help everyone!

Built up a 29er carbon hardtail with modern geometry last year and bloody loved it. Much loved old 26 Soda hung in the garage unused. The 29er developed an issue just before Xmas requiring parts which are currently on order so switched back to the Soda (my son nicked my full-sus and wont give it back). It felt too small and was frankly terrifying it was so steep but after 3 rides I realised why I loved it so much. I converted it to singlespeed in Jan and have ridden it every day since (inspired by the 90 day challenge). It's ace and always was. I'll get the 29er back running again in the summer and love that too. Modern geometry is fantastic but contrary to what the bike marketing people will have you believe it doesn't render your old bike redundant and doesn't mean you can't still have fun on it.

What tyres are you going to get?

I've been looking for some new 26" XC tyres for my wife's bike for winter slop and roads and tracks and struggling to find some that are not too heavy

Only thing remaining are 145mm/165mm rotors for my Hope Mini #5 IS-mount calipers – seem easy enough to get.

Think you might struggle on the +5mm rotors, if its hope rotors you intend to go for. he extra 5mm is a total pain in 6 bolt format. Not sure what else is available for other makes.

I have a set of early Hope wheels complete with rotors in red (red ti-glide and red suspension) laced to red mavic 517's. Rotors are new or near new @185/165mm. Was looking for 250+post for the pair. but they come with new irc red wall notos 1`.95mm tyres.