I just got handed down amountain bike and I was wonder if any recommendations as I was told by the former owner “just give it a tune up and it should be good to go” he then named a few parts but I had no idea what he was referring to.

Any suggestions on where to take it or what work to get done on it? or what to expect the costs to be?

I think this is the exact model:

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/bike-full/gt/2001-idrive-4-0/PRD_355683_95crx.aspx

http://www.togoparts.com/items/view_item.php?iid=290&did=0&cid=6&bid=0

Also, any thoughts/concerns on the bike would be greatly appreciated.  I have not mountain biked since I was like 14 and do not have any experience with gear.

I can highly recommend Sand Canyon Cyclery ask for Josh.

They are very honest, very reasonable and will stand by their work….

From their website:

Complete Tune-Up $90.00
Remove, Clean, & Adjust Drivetrain (Cranks, Chain, & Cassette)
Inspect & True Wheels (Off Bike)
Inspect, Adjust, & Clean Shifting and Brakes
Inspect & Adjust Headset and Crank Bolts
Clean, Inspect, and Adjust Frame

Plus of course any parts you might need to be replaced.

Ah, the GT iDrive.  My first real mountain bike.  It should serve you well if you are getting back into the swing of things.  That iDrive system always made shifting so smooth, even while under hard force.  Not a superstar high speed downhill no-brakes bomber , but perfect for getting used to Peters, Whiting, El Moro.

Thanks, the bike looks in pretty good shape.  I’ll try to take it in soon.  I’m just going to start by riding over to Petsrs Canyon and playing around in there.

I like Switchback cyclery on Chapman, across from the in and out in Orange, and The Path, 1st and B, in Tustin.

Peters is nice, especially if you just bike there and back for some extra peddle time and convenience.  I would recommend going to Whiting Ranch.  It has almost every type of terrain and you can mix/match the trails to make it any kind of ride that you want.

When you’re back and tuned up - check out the trail I mapped here:
http://www.edtronic.com/Home/mountain-bike-trails/newport-ridge-and-laguna-wilderness

Great ride, hope to see you there!

Not a bad ride, but you skip all the fun parts!

I have marked the fun parts in red below.  You avoided all of them. 

I ove Geoladders to map rides and learn new ones.  The Double loop is great, rattlesnake is the best goind down if you don’t hurt yourself on a rock!

Wish I had seen this thread earlier, I would have recommended The Bike Company in Lake Forest for your tune up.  A lot of pro’s use them.  Along with The Path, they are the best when it comes to mountain bikes.  As for trails, I prefer Rock-It at Aliso Wood and Canyons.  It’s similar to Rattlesnake but not quite as extreme so you can really bomb it.  Also like Emerald Canyon at Laguna Coast, another fine downhill you can bomb.

My favorite downhills in the area (besides the luge, which is in its own category), are Lynx, Old Emerald (the luge-like single-track in the outer loop at el moro that drops you to the canyon floor), Meadows, then Rock-It.

I like and appreciate rock-it, but I just dont like the “paint in a shaker” feeling I get going down it.  I have no reason to suspect that my bike will not hold up… but I just get that uneasy feeling.

MojoJD - 01 October 2009 07:59 AM

My favorite downhills in the area (besides the luge, which is in its own category), are Lynx, Old Emerald (the luge-like single-track in the outer loop at el moro that drops you to the canyon floor), Meadows, then Rock-It.

I like and appreciate rock-it, but I just dont like the “paint in a shaker” feeling I get going down it.  I have no reason to suspect that my bike will not hold up… but I just get that uneasy feeling.

I meant Old Emerald, not Emerald Canyon.  That’s definitely one of my favorites too.  I get more uneasy on Lynx, mostly because of the loose dirt in the summer.

The luge?  I rode the luge once and felt that there was a lot of sacrifice for not much thrill.  Right when I felt the trail start to become fun and flowy, it ended. :(

http://www.g2bike.com/Home.html

Great reliable service!  He has a very quick turn around.

Some of it depends on the time of year and the recent rainfall (quality/stickiness of the terrain), and some of it is just getting familiar with the trail.  The last 2 weeks it has been excellent.  What kind of bike are you riding?

based on the “there was a lot of sacrifice” bit, I would guess that it was something big and heavy.

maybe try riding past the flag and up to old camp, then you get a ~8 mile singletrack downhill run.

I rode it on a 34 lbs entry level 4 inch xc bike.  I no longer have that bike.  Now I ride a lighter 6 inch bike.

Plus it’s a bit of a drive from my house compared to other places to ride.

The simple luge loop is about as short a ride as you can find around here.  =/

My personal favorite is to just fill up your pack, not worry about the time (race yourself and take breaks as necessary if you need them) and do the following:

Whiting (normal entry near the shopping center), cattle pond loop, up Mustard (and dont stop!) until you make the turn and get all the way to the top of Dreaded), then back down dreaded to the 4 corners, start down and turn into Cactus, then the back stables climb, but then follow the path out the back past the stables, cross Santiago Canyon Rd to Majesca, up the hill, up the Luge path, pass it and go all the way to Old Camp, then back down the way you came, turn and go down the Luge, down the street to Cooks and turn back up Santiago, back into Whiting at the stables, climb the stables hill again, then the single-track fun all the way out (including the windy tree section at the end).

My group dubs this loop the Whiting Old Camp ride.  Its fantastic Counting Coop and Traverse training, without having to drive all the way back to the blackstar or silverado parking areas.  Its also a great way to increase what you’re capable of as a rider.  Believe me, you can do this ride easier than you think with proper resting, water, and will to finish.  (maybe some Goo or shot blocks too).

gwailo168 - 26 October 2009 03:26 PM

I rode it on a 34 lbs entry level 4 inch xc bike.  I no longer have that bike.  Now I ride a lighter 6 inch bike.

Plus it’s a bit of a drive from my house compared to other places to ride.

Where do you ride these days?