80's Mountain Bike Restoration Tune Up | Easton Reflex ALX 89
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- čas přidán 25. 09. 2019
- This bike gives credit to the innovation that has made mountain biking what it is today.
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This proves all bikes are good when taken care of.
Even Walmart bikes?
All might be a bit of an overreach.
Agreed!
A crummy bike is still a crummy bike now matter how it was maintained. This one happened to be a good one in it’s day.
"Give old things new life."
Thank you
I'm an old thing. I wish somebody would give me new life :)
Thank you for making this film. I really enjoyed watching. I like the calm voice and the pacing of the film. When I’m working on my bikes or building wheels, I feel myself at ease, and I can see you feel the same way. For my building me bikes and service them and riding them is a complete circle of peace in mind. Keep the good work!
Can I get an Amen. For me it’s not just with bikes. When I’m in my garage restoring and creating, building or fixing, I feel this zen feeling where time melts away and my stresses disappear... until a bolt gets stuck or stripped that is 😁. Thanks for chiming in.
vai tomar no cu
To many of us older riders out here, in the late 80's and 90's we rode our primitive mountain bikes not just for the workout or to get an adrenaline fix, it was also a spiritual experience. You and your videos echo that spirituality in so many ways, definitely takes us back to that era like no other. Thank you for that!
Buying this type of bike for $50 from some pawn show and spending another $150 on components is waaay better than spending $200 on a new walmart bike
It really depends on if you know what to look for or not. Such as the Hyper Hydroform is an outstanding bike for 200$, the Schwinn Santis was another good bike for 200$ just depends on what you want.
You'll find with Halfords the Boardman range of bike are a far better quality of bike well the Frames are , still made in Taiwan I have the MHT 8.9 but I have completely replaced all parts with better ,the Frames are very good and I have taken it in many red trails with no problems at all !
+Loli... I completely disagree. This bike, as is, is 100 times better than anything you will find it a Walmart.
WORD!!!
And dont forget pleasure and assurance that everything works properly!
Good Job! I do agree that the MTB s of the 80-90s are in some ways are pinnacle of bike engineering. The fact that you can brush the dust off and tune-up a bike of this era with minimum replacement is a testament to their durability. You can't say that of MTB bikes in the 'carbon era'.
No de-lamination to worry about
w/stainless lol. I also have solid cast cranksets from the 90's, which are serviceable and look great too.
Powdercoated one set in semi-gloss black & they came out mint.
I think the thing I find most pleasing is the sense of quiet satisfaction you exude when undertaking a project like this. Not flash not snazy just you enjoying yourself. Wonderful!
Watching your restoration videos has stopped me from getting rid of my old muddy fox sorcerer with a view to either pay bike mechanic to overhaul it or take it on myself (just lack tools , experience and confidence ) Thanks again for your videos👍😊
I like watching soothing videos like this. I found a Giant Rincon from the 90s for like $40. I didn't know how to true wheels so I learned how to true it with zip ties. It looked so much better after a wash and general cleaning. It needed a bottom bracket so I let the bike shop do that part. I sold it to a buddy that I do social rides with and he was so happy to dump his heavy walmart bike. I fixed up a Diamondback Sorrento the same way and my neighbor made me sell it to him when he saw me test riding it. I personally have an early 2000s Giant Cypress hybrid that I have sunk so much cash in but the comfortable ride just can't be beat sometimes. I've often wanted to video this but I can't wrap my head around filming and working on the bike at the same time. Thanks for sharing.
Cool. I’ve seen the zip tie trying method before.
Great video and a rad bike. My experience is to always replace an old cup and cone bottom bracket with a new Shimano cartridge bottom bracket as then never loosen and last much longer. Cheap and quick too. Also, never grease a tapered BB spindle as it is meant to work with friction. The grease will cause it to constantly loosen which leads to constant re-tightening... which leads to a cracked crank. Happy trails!
I think my blood pressure dropped 10 points while watching this. Very therapeutic. Nothing like restoring something with care.
It's a testament to these old bikes that they are still here. If they didn't fall apart over the last 20-30 years, They will probably keep going just fine and be perfectly reliable. Also says something that someone must have loved them enough to keep them around, and maintain them.
A tip for 26" skinwall tires is schwalbe nobby nic. I use them at my old 95 parkpre titanium bike.
Love your builds.
Thanks. I’ll check them out.
wow, thats a pretty cool bike
Vittoria also sells a bunch of their mtb tyres with gumwalls, not sure if they're available in 26'' though.
oldshovel Panaracer Smoke and Dart tires. They are front and rear specific, look awesome, and are period correct for 80’s-90’s mountain bikes. I use them or WTB Velociraptors (basically same idea but all black [it can be argued that the Velociraptors started the trend away from tan wall to all black]) on all of my vintage mountain bikes. www.jensonusa.com/Panaracer-Smoke-26-Tire www.jensonusa.com/Panaracer-Dart-26-Tire www.wtb.com/products/velociraptor
Donny Disco tabletops are great tire but are more of a dirt jump/street/bmx type tire
I’m just about to start a light restoration of a 1991 Raleigh Amazon (UK rigid MTB, 26”, 21-speed with Biopace rings) and watching this has given me an extra boost to get started. I love the aesthetic of the 80s/90s bikes with the polished alloy and nice colours, instead of all the Matt black we seem to get these days. My resto will be similar to yours - clean, lubricate, adjust where possible and replace or refinish where necessary. The frame is in good condition, so I am leaving the paint alone. I’ve had the bike from new and it’s a great ride, so I know the end result will be worth it. More power to you, my friend. The world needs more people who carefully and lovingly restore, rather than throw away and buy new. Bikes have soul.
Wow just came across this video by chance. I have a Reflex ALX Carbon DT. I am the original owner. Hasn't been ridden in a while. Always stored inside. Changed the drive train a few years back. New rims and tires. Gathering dust at this point. Fun ride. I have moved on to other mtn bikes. Really enjoyed this video' Thank you for sharing.
Great video! I owned this exact bike back in 1989. I really enjoy this bike but it was squirrelly. A friend took it out for a spin on the trail once. We warned him that it was squirrelly but was a bit too confident in his skills (cocky) and rode off without a helmet. Sure enough, he rides back a few minutes later with blood running down his head and dirt on his face. “You weren’t kidding about it being squirrelly” was the first thing out of his mouth.
Guess squirrelly might have something to do with that Al + steel frame combo?
89 was an epic year, and so was your intro
Thanks
Fucking too right! It was the year i was born 🤣
I enjoyed this so much. I love restoring old bikes 2. There's just something so satisfying about it.
Awesome
You absolutely made the right call by not painting over that beautiful aluminum finish! Nice work!
Absolutely love these retro builds and would like to do one myself at some point hopefully on a late 90s specialized stump jumper since that’s the bike my dad used to ride
Cool. Do it
Congratulations. Not about the bike. But because you understood how life should be lived. Calm, enjoying bikes, enjoying old technology belonging to a happier era. I have 7 bikes, 5 of them old, and when I go in the basement I am happy just by looking at them and touching them. I may adjust something, or not, doesn't matter. It's just bliss. I actually can't explain why.
Beautiful restoration! I just had a flashback to my first MTB that I bought used in 1989. It was an 86 or 87 Diamond Back Apex. The most bizarre elements of that bike were the Suntour XCPro roller cam brakes and the nifty spare spoke holder on the chainstay. The rear brake was mounted to the underside of the chainstay and did nothing but catch mud and crud. But I loved it. We did not ride official MTB trails then because they did not exist. We rode the local hiking routes at odd hours. Good times!!! Thanks for saving a good one.
Those spoke racks and underside brakes bring back memories.
I Currently Own A 1986 DB Apex (Awesome Bike) I Pulled It Out The Dumpster At A Local Metal Recycling Facility Frame Forks and 1 Wheel. 8 Years Later I Still Enjoy it And Ride it. Thank You For Sharing God Bless You.
As I saw some of your bike restoration videos, I was thinking about my Father's 1993 Nicki Lauda Mountfly, which was stolen a few years ago. I miss that bike even it wasnt mine. The memories...
Fabulous video! I had a Specialized Rockerhopper comp in the late 80's and I wish I had kept it and restored it. Biopace chainrings, bright yellow, back brakes down on the chainstay. Great bike.
I built a Cannondale touring 1 lovely ride so proud off my work
You did quite an amazing job here on this restoration. I am genuinely surprised at how clean these parts came out. Good quality old bike parts never die
Man, watching your videos clams me down. in this period of time, it sucks. Hope the world get healthier soon. God Bless You
Thanks 🙏
Fantastic, sympathetic restoration. Hope this bike sees another few decades of trails.
I'm thankful you kept the original paint!
I agree, There is only one original paint job. Stripping it off would have been desecration.
I remember so many of these bikes on your channel. I am 45 now, and I remember when the first ‘Mountain Bike’ shop opened in my hometown. I bought my first Specialized Rockhopper with paper route money from that shop. I remember the old Klein, Scott, Panasonic, Reflex, Moots, Specialized and other bikes in that shop. The colors, the aggressive tires, the freedom that those bikes provided. Truly a turning point in my life. I’ve been in love with bikes my whole life, and now that I’m older and can afford pretty much any bike I want, your channel brings back the memories of me wandering around in that shop, imagining the day I could afford a Klein. Thanks for doing this channel. Keep it up
My first mountain bike was the blue 1986 Rockhopper. My dad and I explored hundreds of miles of backcountry roads in the Adirondacks on ours and those adventures are some of the best memories in my life. Still have that bike but it's getting really hard to find parts for it now.
The good old wishbone rear ends,my 89 muddyfox has same style frame,i love how they look.brilliant video by the way,brings back so many memories.
For me, an old guy, feels like 1989 was just yesterday. To see these older bikes being restored is quite simply, amazing.
I changed the “touch points” on mine as well, new tyres, grips, pedals and saddle. Good to be riding on all new stuff. Now going to do the cable housing, cables and retention the wheels.
Awesome
Great vid showing appreciation for a cool old bike. Just disassembled and cleaned an reinstalled an old Biopace off a Peugeot Nice this morning. Very rewarding work.
Awesome thanks
I know the feeling. Just (mostly) finished rebuilding an old Trek Y-22 that I picked up at a thrift shop. It had been left outside a lot and needed a good deal of TLC. I'm 52 and the old thing got me interested in riding again and I've learned and done a lot more in-depth bike mechanic work than I ever thought I would. The work is therapeutic and as far as riding, I can definitely use the exercise.
Excellent thanks for help schooling me auto restoration before I do my first restoration on an old giant of a similar era I think I got it narrowed down to 94 or 95 these folks have a lot to say for the fact they survived a lot of use and stand the test of time thanks again
This was a fantastic and loving restoration to watch. SO good. I also just LOVE your commentary through it.
such high quality videos you're putting out OS!
Thanks 🙏 much appreciated. Thanks for watching.
I agree, very impressed
Great to see I’m not the only one still renovating old mountain bikes. As you said they are special and to be honest they still work great not like some newer MTBs that brake easily for example after a year cracks appear. 👍👍👍👍👍👍great job
I have this bike (EASTON REFLEX ALX 89) that I purchased in 1989 and still using it. Great video.
Awesome
Good on ya for restoring and enjoying the great 80's mountain bikes! I have an '89 Fisher which I just bring myself to retire from dirt riding and convert to a town/touring bike.
i got a giant sierra, same gearing and shifters, and brake system, its been very well looked after, and for those who where mtb back in the day, its a great conversation starter, i was told from my local bike shop it was a californian design, even tho its built in the uk. nice watching and thanks for the vlog.
Thanks 🙏
Two of your videos have come across my feed and now I have to subscribe! Awesome bike restorations! Hope to see more!
Thank you for this! In the early 1970's I rode my Claude Butler 10 speed every day to school and work in London. Now my son rides that same bike everyday at his college in Maine!
That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Riding a bike in London without black and Asian gangs of kids trying to knife you in
London, yes those were the days.
You won't ride a bike in London today.
I'm doing the same thing with a 90's McKinley mountain bike during the Covid-19 confinement here in Canada, keeping me occupied.
Thanks for the great videos and inspiration !
Great restoration. Fantastic to see another beautiful classic bike saved. Keep up the good work.
This is one of my favorite restorations done by you. 😍 Keep up the good work!
great vid. i own an alx99 watching this has got me fired up to rebuild the old girl had mine for 30years.
Awesome. Do it. Thanks for watching.
Wow. Cool. ! This turned out great. We dont forget its also environmentally friendly to renovate. This partly aluminium is very interesting. Turned out great
Another UT native here. Good job saving that DI special!. I enjoyed your video.
Long stems, narrow bars, steep angles, short top tubes, no dropper, 26” skinny tire wheels, it’s amazing how much fun I had.
Nice one!! great to see your rebuild/restoration, love to see older bikes like these being used. I have a modern bike (or two) and a 1995 Diamondback Apex with a True Temper frame, which is a real pleasure to ride, cheers.
That’s awesome thanks
Absolutely beautiful work done on the bike. Keeping it as close to the original while giving it a new life is the best way to respect the honest machine aka a bicycle.
Great to see and hear patience throughout the video.👍
Thanks 🙏
Thank you so much for restoring these old bikes, with all the focus on the fancy new tech that's coming out today people often have this misconception that the technology of yesterday is suddenly plain awful. Sure, it's not as good as what we have today, but you can still have an absolute blast on a dirt cheap mountainbike as long as it's been maintained rather well. I started out on an 80 dollar fully rigid Giant Boulder, and even tho it rattled my bones on trails, it was a sturdy bike that just kept going and never let me down. These days I got a 3 grand Canyon Torque 5, but I will always have a soft spot for older, more simple bikes.
I was really looking forward to seeing you ride it
I loved this vid, thank you for the fine work and craftsmanship.
Thanks 🙏
There's something extremely satisfying, some feeling of accomplishment about overhauling and rebuilding an old bike - especially a bike from that era - they honestly don't make them like they used to. Something that I also have been doing for the last several years, using CZcams, Sheldon Brown, and shop manuals to teach myself all the intricacies, sizings, specifications, and compatibilities of different types throughout the years. This era - CroMoly, cantilevers, toe clips, etc was a grand old one for sure.
Thanks for taking the time and care to breathe new life into that bike. I can tell it really brought you a sense of pride. You got another subscriber now. Cheers.
I love the bike builds/restoratios , turned out great !
Thanks 🙏
This is awsome , like time traveling. Thanks for making that video
I always enjoyed vintage bikes due to their simplistic design and quality. Just got myself a 94 Cannondale M600 and definitely looking forward to have long years of ride
Awesome work, awesome bike
Really good job restoring that bike. I remember having a Peugeot MTB in 89' being 15 years old & dreaming of owning a Trek which I got in the end.
Still riding a late 90's Easton Elite frameset with a Cyclone motor kit which is as good as any of todays Ebikes with 4 figure price tags.
Always good to see an old bike being restored & used. Liked & subbed : )
All the best from Scotland : )
Wonderfully filmed. I did enjoy every second of this restoration.
Awesome thanks
First time that I have watched your channel. This was so interesting and enjoyable. Fantastic!
Awesome thanks
wow, nice bike, mountain LX takes me back, I have many of those old Shimano parts on my retro build, all perfect working order
An informative and very humble video. Thanks bro
Nice video and a great restoration.
Great work... old thing new life
A legend lives on.
I'm still riding the Mongoose Alta I bought back in '87. Great bike, It's seen every hilltop around.
Would you do some riding videos on the restored bikes?. Its cool to see them being used 😊🚴🏻♂️💨
Excellent bike ,build,resto ,editing.
Thanks
This was the first video of yours. When i had seen the "rock ring" I knew I'd like this channel
Id love to own my own shop. Im doing a rebuild myself right now its a folding safari bike. Ficelle.
You are absolutely correct about the threads. Bottom Brackets and headsets sometimes put me into fits.
Awesome thanks
AWESOME restore on a sweet bike, hello from Carson City!!
ahh nightmare flashbacks to non sealed bottom brackets, lol. We bought an old Specialized (no suspension, rockhopper/stumpjumper i think) in 2000, stripped painted, rebuilt added replacement parts, rode off road a lot, and used as transport to work for 10 years, still works great. our old racing buddy said "nice retro bile" we're like "ehh not retro just old", lol. good flash back video, but never going back to those open bottom brackets with plastic sleeve, argghhh.
No grease on the tapered spindle, needs to be friction fit, grease will allow the cranks to be over torqued. Great video, love to see the old bikes put back into use.
Was about to say that... should never grease a square taper BB/crank for that reason.
Wipe them with mineral oil and scrub clean with paper towel
How amazing! I never saw the bicycle that could maintain as like it.
Thanks 🙏
So satisfying
What a good job of presenting a disasemble and reassemble! I have one of these 80s mtb that maybe could use some help...thanks!
My first video of yours that I'm watching. Really like the tempo. Great job, thanks!
Thanks 🙏
Nice video, i enjoy restoring retro bikes. I did a few Gt Zaskars and a Gary Fisher Joshua.
Nice relaxed style of video
I also liked how you cut your cables short, enough to adjust if needed but tidy. Simple things and simple minds etc. but nice work.
Thanks 🙏
Wow, I thought I had the only bikes left on the planet with Biopace chainrings on it. I have 2 Supergo mountain bikes from '89 in my garage with them. Still have all the original Shimano Deore equipment on them in great working order.
The old Deore parts were built to last.
Great work! Good camera work and just very well put together. Another Bike saved, I have my own personal GT I plan on doing. Thanks for the video all the best Andy
Not sure why exactly, but this video made me incredibly happy.
Thanks for that. Reminds me, I must get back to my 1988 MBK Ranger, which I have had from new. Currently needs a new feewheel and possibly a new hub.
Awesome video! Please keep posting this type of content!
Thanks.
That's Utah dirt for sure! Delicious stuff! Nice job.
Thanks
Linda bike dá uma certa nostalgia vê-la.
Sweet upload dude! That Biopace triple front chainring, the 110mm+ stem, along with the (now) comically narrow flat bars are such a throwback! I still have an Ironhorse cross country bike (in pieces, in a box) from the same year. Including, the Shimano motoX sized brake levers! Forget one finger braking, you could use all four on those high powered center pull rim brakes! Keep doing what you do!
I have a 1986 Trek that I found on FB market a couple of years ago. I was thinking about going in and just doing a complete re-do on it and converting it to a gravel bike for bikepacking trips, but it is in such great shape that I hated to tear it apart. The only real negative is that the aluminum on the components is oxidized. The frame has a couple of paint dings, but nothing major. I really think that an in-depth tune up, like this one is really what I need to do to this bike. Thanks for the inspiration.
Great video!
Good work, compliment.
Loving your videos. I watched the Kona resto mod, and this one. very cool.
Thanks 🙏
Swell video! Beautiful job on the bike
Thanks
The same components on my yellow and grey Carrera from '88 into '89! I had suspension back then......... my knee's and wrists! The stem isn't so long but I have pretty wide bars. As you said, these were the days when everything we use now, was just being thought up then!
Just use as my daily these days but used to ride it over all terrain.......... haven't got the knee's or wrists for it anymore!
Ha I got married in 89. 10 speeds and 12 speeds with ram horn handles is what I grew up with in the 70's
It was a good year. 😁 thanks for watching Greg.
Awesome job! Best video I have seen rebuilding an old bike!
I was surprised that you didnt check the wheels' axles!
I was expecting a change but thank you to for keep it original.