I'm STILL RIDING a 1995 GT Zaskar (I remember lusting after that RTS-1 back in the day). I have that same road bike stance, but it It climbs like a beast! "Crotch Rocket" is the best way to describe the ride :)
I am still riding my '95 GT RTS-3. I have done some updates over the years, it now runs a 1X10 drivetrain with Shimano 6000 equipment. I also changed to discs when I replaced the wheels with some Mavic Cross Trail ones. I still run the same type of tires, Panaracer Dart and Smoke. I have just not wanted to get a new bike. You have a keeper there.
You should check the Judy SL if it is the first generation with MCU elastomers (colored corks inside). They turn to mush if you ride them hard since they are 25 years old.
Now you just experienced what it was like back in the day. Only we sent it hard. We weren't afraid because this bike was so far ahead of the rigid bikes we rode. This was cutting edge at the time. Oh and it's most likely a '95 maybe a '96 model and it's a USA made frame. A real collectors item for us RTS fans. Makes me wonder what I could do with a modern bike. Too bad I'm stuck in the golden age of exotic anodized parts and outdated geometry. I guess I like the abuse these old bikes gave us. I still own my rigid. I thought it was the shit back in the day. Lol
I have that same bike that I bought back in 1995. Probably rode it a dozen times and it still looks brand new! Bought a LTS-3 the next year and rode the crap out of that bike! Still have both bikes and a LTS Thermoplastic.
I have a GT Outback from 96. I have retired it from trail riding. I put Street tires on it and new seat. I ride it around the neighborhood all the time. Still a great bike.
Love this...dad and his daughters and bikes. Story of our family. I have a 97 LTS all polished out. Gotta take it foe a spin...you inspired me!! Keep riding bro 👊🏽🙏🏽
Love this vid! Still riding my RTS 3 I've had since new in 94. Swapped the fork with a Tora 100mm with disc brake which slackens the headtube angle a bit, added V brakes at the rear, short stem and wide-ish 700mm riser bars. Works OK for my local trails and (lack of) skill level. I think of it as a hardtail with just a little give. What do you think after changing stem and bars?
Awesome!!! Been waiting for this RTS video. Looks like a 94 frame with the world champion sticker. Very cool vintage ride! GT was the best in the mid to late 90's
If I recall Juliana Furtado won the world cross country and downhill titles on this frame ..Hence the World Champion Sticker..I own an RTS 1 from 94..The bike came out in 93. I brought the frame and built it up back then. Still have it.
16kg ,,,, looks like a large ,, and been upgraded with v brakes but no horse shoe on the front as mine kept splinting shocks lol ,,,,,,, was the best bike i ever had so light could chuck it about swing it around and lot ,,,,, not like my new spec pitch hard tail its only 19kg but its like a tank i hate it , took me a month to get use to the stupid wide handle bars ,,, i dont feel safe with my arms spaced out that much !! having trouble keeping the bike right when i get air time ,,, or maybe cos am small and there ment for big built people LOL
Wasn’t sure about buying a Rts-3 but after seeing this, it’s exactly the ride I’m looking for! You make riding this bike look like a blast! I don’t plan on doing any crazy hard trails so it should be fun haha
This is so awesome! Smiling the whole time. You need to be clipped in for those jumps. Reminded me of my 1998 Gary Fisher Big Sur hardtail with the mile long stem and v-brakes. Still have it. Still ride it. So light and fun. But ... dangerous compared to modern bikes. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Had the same bike back in the day! Brought back a lot of good memories. I used to CX race and it was wicked pissah! Looks like I have to go to the other side of Pine Hills. Thanks for the video
Loving seeing someone putting one to proper usage,it'll be a lot better if you fix the fork. the canti stop should be level with the crown or below it if you've got the 80mm travel setup id guess the elastomer has melted away, time to hunt ebay for a NOS coil conversion? you need to hunt down an LTS next :)
Beautiful bike----I have an Sworks M2 of that vintage, a KHS Montana Team Pro=earlier and a Rocky Mountain Team full suspension----I really haven't ridden anything newer
Riding older bikes is totally different on a new bike you can be way over the handlebars with more of your body weight we're on a older bike you need to ride tail heavy even on jumps but once you're used to it they are fun old school bikes I have one and I love it but my new one is 10 times better
Terrific video, thanks for uploading. Brought back great memories... I had the RTS-2 back in 95. Mag 21s up front, the Noleen Piggyback on rear.. it was a lot of travel back then! Long stem just felt like the natural riding position in those days.. but even so, still sometimes felt you might die going over some of the bigger jumps 😆 Really had to work hard to nail the trails.. my modern Trek feels like riding a Lay-Z-boy by comparison.
LOL, honestly I'm surprised mountain biking ever made it as a sport based on what people had to ride in the beginning... but then again it was better than anything else out there! I got into it probably in 94 with my first Fuji which is in my dads basement... might need to break it out for a Post Covid-19 Retro reunion ride lol
Projectnortheast MTB we just didn’t know any better. I thought my old school Speci Rockhopper was the best 80mm stem, 2.1 wide tires, and big ole tubes. I would love to have that bike back to give it a rip.
I am so sentimental about purchasing an RTS but I have my doubts (I currently have a Marathon Team). If you were a kid in the 90's then you understand the feeling. I saw you jumping and landing and those shocks barely move lol. Great video.
Dude, the RTS was dead by 1995 if I recall correctly. They started production around 1993? Increasing the travel proved too difficult for GT without huge drivetrain-related consequences, so the LTS was born as the successor for 95(?)-99
Aesthetic Potatoes no I hit them a ton. On my modern bikes they feel like your jumping off a curb. With this 90’s geo you feel like your going to be bucked over the bars.
I'm sitting on my rts3 pedaling on my trainer and I came across you video. I have been riding mine for 25 years and still love it. I appreciate my more modern bikes too.
Haha fun video. Makes me miss my first real mt bike. It was a 92 (I think 92 ish) Haro Escape. I wanted some Judys but I was 14 ish and got the Quadra Rock Shox. That bike was a tank but super fun.
That Judy looks a little low and I’m not totally the rear shock works but the frame is kick ass and it’s looks fun. If you do a mod video I’ll sub to your channel !
When the Corona is all over with we gotta have a retro ride I have an 02 giant warp. W like 2009 tech on it. Idk if you remember me I have the 19 stumpy w a 170mm red lyrik(unmistakable). From middleboro
When I rode one of these back in the 90's it felt like the chain was made of elastic because of the chain growth. Plus suspension stopped working under heavy load. It was a crappy bike like so many back in the day.
Just put a shorter stem plus wider bar, new tyres as wide as the frame allows, a slighty modern fork (psylo or bomber z1) and flat pedals. I had a 99 scott octane with such setup and it was a blast!
Come on man do a bit of research..I stopped listening after the 5th mistake.. It’s a 95 not a 99 It’s a 3x8 not 3x9 It’s an elastomer fork The bar is about 500mm wide not 100 It doesn’t have xt brakes
I'm STILL RIDING a 1995 GT Zaskar (I remember lusting after that RTS-1 back in the day). I have that same road bike stance, but it It climbs like a beast!
"Crotch Rocket" is the best way to describe the ride :)
I am still riding my '95 GT RTS-3. I have done some updates over the years, it now runs a 1X10 drivetrain with Shimano 6000 equipment. I also changed to discs when I replaced the wheels with some Mavic Cross Trail ones. I still run the same type of tires, Panaracer Dart and Smoke. I have just not wanted to get a new bike. You have a keeper there.
That fork is bottomed out!
You should check the Judy SL if it is the first generation with MCU elastomers (colored corks inside). They turn to mush if you ride them hard since they are 25 years old.
Now you just experienced what it was like back in the day. Only we sent it hard. We weren't afraid because this bike was so far ahead of the rigid bikes we rode. This was cutting edge at the time. Oh and it's most likely a '95 maybe a '96 model and it's a USA made frame. A real collectors item for us RTS fans. Makes me wonder what I could do with a modern bike. Too bad I'm stuck in the golden age of exotic anodized parts and outdated geometry. I guess I like the abuse these old bikes gave us. I still own my rigid. I thought it was the shit back in the day. Lol
I still have my 1995 GT RTS-2. Still ride it now and again. It's amazing how far bikes have come.
Need to upgrade stem and bars and pedals. To see if it better.
Early '90s. Pre-96. Cantilever brake mount on the Judy SL, and pre LTS design. I love '90s bikes!
Foofy cool thanks for the info.
Agreed. I have a 96 LTS all original except tires. It's a fun bike to cruise around town.
that was a fun video to watch...way to face your fears with that stem! Great film crew work.
The kids are killing it with the cameras.
For real man, that's a real modern classic. I'd have it on my wall.
That’s actually a good idea!
I have that same bike that I bought back in 1995. Probably rode it a dozen times and it still looks brand new! Bought a LTS-3 the next year and rode the crap out of that bike! Still have both bikes and a LTS Thermoplastic.
I have a GT Outback from 96. I have retired it from trail riding. I put Street tires on it and new seat. I ride it around the neighborhood all the time. Still a great bike.
Love this...dad and his daughters and bikes. Story of our family. I have a 97 LTS all polished out. Gotta take it foe a spin...you inspired me!!
Keep riding bro 👊🏽🙏🏽
Love this vid! Still riding my RTS 3 I've had since new in 94. Swapped the fork with a Tora 100mm with disc brake which slackens the headtube angle a bit, added V brakes at the rear, short stem and wide-ish 700mm riser bars. Works OK for my local trails and (lack of) skill level. I think of it as a hardtail with just a little give. What do you think after changing stem and bars?
Awesome!!! Been waiting for this RTS video. Looks like a 94 frame with the world champion sticker. Very cool vintage ride! GT was the best in the mid to late 90's
Chad Beach it was actually super fun to ride.
If I recall Juliana Furtado won the world cross country and downhill titles on this frame ..Hence the World Champion Sticker..I own an RTS 1 from 94..The bike came out in 93. I brought the frame and built it up back then. Still have it.
I used to do high speed stair drops on my fully rigid Trek 800. The back wheels got cased in numbers of times.
Just acquired one of these beasties and I’m slowly working my way through it restoring it. Look forward to a ride out 1993 stylee.
16kg ,,,, looks like a large ,, and been upgraded with v brakes but no horse shoe on the front as mine kept splinting shocks lol ,,,,,,, was the best bike i ever had so light could chuck it about swing it around and lot ,,,,, not like my new spec pitch hard tail its only 19kg but its like a tank i hate it , took me a month to get use to the stupid wide handle bars ,,, i dont feel safe with my arms spaced out that much !! having trouble keeping the bike right when i get air time ,,, or maybe cos am small and there ment for big built people LOL
I had this bike brand new back in 95. what an amazing bike, and was so ahead of it time back then.
Scott Weber super fun bike.
Wasn’t sure about buying a Rts-3 but after seeing this, it’s exactly the ride I’m looking for! You make riding this bike look like a blast! I don’t plan on doing any crazy hard trails so it should be fun haha
Blast from the past ! When you hit the jump at 6:10, the rear shock didn't budge!!! haha
It moved a tiny bit.
Long live GT bikes!
Agree. I grew up riding BMX in the 80s. GT holds a special place for me. Not many other Brands can touch that.
This is so awesome! Smiling the whole time. You need to be clipped in for those jumps. Reminded me of my 1998 Gary Fisher Big Sur hardtail with the mile long stem and v-brakes. Still have it. Still ride it. So light and fun. But ... dangerous compared to modern bikes. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Big Sur was my first real bike when I was a kid. A lot of good memories on that thing.
@@TheyForcedMyHandLE So fun, efficient, and light. : )
Had the same bike back in the day! Brought back a lot of good memories. I used to CX race and it was wicked pissah! Looks like I have to go to the other side of Pine Hills. Thanks for the video
Chris Davis thanks for watching! Yeah behind the shop is super fun.
Just started mountain biking on a old 96 cannonade f500. Love the feel of the old bike but had to toss the long stem for a shorter one.
Sweet! I had a hard tail GT about the same year. I remember that stem and handlebars. 😂
CrockettandTubbs100 the bar and stem is a death trap!😬
That was a hard tail too. A two piece hard tail . That shock didn't budge an inch on that drop lol
OklahOTB you actually feel the shock move a little bit.
I daily shred on a rts 3 and love it also I have modern parts on it ( shimano xtr,rock shox judy gold )
Great video, I legit laughed out loud. Your fear was genuine.
s14tat haha it was actually super fun to ride.
Awesome video...I have a 1995 GT RTS-3 bike that's still in mint condition with upgraded Rockshox Mag10s...
David Kan sweet!
OMG, the stem is longer than the bars are wide! LOL. Good stuff man, enjoyed it.
Terry MTBnurse yeah I’m definitely going to be shorting the stem and widening the bars. Thanks for watching!
Old gt brings back memories. Awesome riding and film crew did great...!!!👍
Dirt Bike thanks brotha!
Loving seeing someone putting one to proper usage,it'll be a lot better if you fix the fork. the canti stop should be level with the crown or below it if you've got the 80mm travel setup id guess the elastomer has melted away, time to hunt ebay for a NOS coil conversion? you need to hunt down an LTS next :)
Awesome. Is that thing Sram AXS compatible?
The cage would probably drag on the ground.
@@jctrails Haha. Hey, if you've never seen it, you need to watch the documentary "Klunkerz".
The fork is 1996, XT & XTR parts too, but it should be 3x8 not 3x9 which came a bit later.
Beautiful bike----I have an Sworks M2 of that vintage, a KHS Montana Team Pro=earlier and a Rocky Mountain Team full suspension----I really haven't ridden anything newer
Riding older bikes is totally different on a new bike you can be way over the handlebars with more of your body weight we're on a older bike you need to ride tail heavy even on jumps but once you're used to it they are fun old school bikes I have one and I love it but my new one is 10 times better
John M yeah it’s still a blast to ride.
Terrific video, thanks for uploading.
Brought back great memories... I had the RTS-2 back in 95. Mag 21s up front, the Noleen Piggyback on rear.. it was a lot of travel back then!
Long stem just felt like the natural riding position in those days.. but even so, still sometimes felt you might die going over some of the bigger jumps 😆
Really had to work hard to nail the trails.. my modern Trek feels like riding a Lay-Z-boy by comparison.
LOL, honestly I'm surprised mountain biking ever made it as a sport based on what people had to ride in the beginning... but then again it was better than anything else out there! I got into it probably in 94 with my first Fuji which is in my dads basement... might need to break it out for a Post Covid-19 Retro reunion ride lol
Projectnortheast MTB we just didn’t know any better. I thought my old school Speci Rockhopper was the best 80mm stem, 2.1 wide tires, and big ole tubes. I would love to have that bike back to give it a rip.
Great video mate , you and the family stay safe.
Thanks man! Be safe.
i have a gt rts 3. how much can i sell it for?
How much are they worth to buy on average?
Why ride it with the shock blown out?😢
Nothing reminds me of my childhood like some of those pedals swinging around and hitting my shin
Your kids did great with the camera work.
OklahOTB they are pretty dang good!
Man i just took my 1999 Rock Mountain Hammer down some trails in bc Canada. I felt your pain!
Sweet,finally! Old school is always still fun. Makes you appreciate the modern bike. Any rebuild plans? Maybe install a wider bar? Thanks brother!
01FozzyS yeah definitely a shorter stem and wider bars in this bikes near future.
awesome, i had a good laugh watching your videos
Izam Firdaus I’m glad you enjoyed!
I am so sentimental about purchasing an RTS but I have my doubts (I currently have a Marathon Team). If you were a kid in the 90's then you understand the feeling. I saw you jumping and landing and those shocks barely move lol. Great video.
Thanks. Buy one it’s so much fun to ride. Makes easy trails feel like double blacks.
@@jctrails I just bought a 1992 RTS 😂😂😂🤷♂️
Dude, the RTS was dead by 1995 if I recall correctly. They started production around 1993? Increasing the travel proved too difficult for GT without huge drivetrain-related consequences, so the LTS was born as the successor for 95(?)-99
I love that bike. Is that the first time you hit those wee doubles. In all your other videos you cut that part out.
Aesthetic Potatoes no I hit them a ton. On my modern bikes they feel like your jumping off a curb. With this 90’s geo you feel like your going to be bucked over the bars.
I have the gt. I need to work on it.
sick bike dude
that was great, mtb history lessons.
Home schooling at it’s finest!
I'm sitting on my rts3 pedaling on my trainer and I came across you video. I have been riding mine for 25 years and still love it. I appreciate my more modern bikes too.
Haha fun video. Makes me miss my first real mt bike. It was a 92 (I think 92 ish) Haro Escape. I wanted some Judys but I was 14 ish and got the Quadra Rock Shox. That bike was a tank but super fun.
That Judy looks a little low and I’m not totally the rear shock works but the frame is kick ass and it’s looks fun. If you do a mod video I’ll sub to your channel !
That is a cool ride!!
Jason it still rips!
When the Corona is all over with we gotta have a retro ride I have an 02 giant warp. W like 2009 tech on it. Idk if you remember me I have the 19 stumpy w a 170mm red lyrik(unmistakable). From middleboro
You riding that thing was hilarious, "feels like riding a horse" looks so small for you.
It actually feels huge because that stem is so long.
Reminds me of my 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar:)
When I rode one of these back in the 90's it felt like the chain was made of elastic because of the chain growth. Plus suspension stopped working under heavy load. It was a crappy bike like so many back in the day.
It's altleast 2 size to big for you, these bikes where designed to be in the same position as today road bike.
ZeBen84 your probably right. I could barley reach the bars when I was seated.
Just put a shorter stem plus wider bar, new tyres as wide as the frame allows, a slighty modern fork (psylo or bomber z1) and flat pedals.
I had a 99 scott octane with such setup and it was a blast!
sup man! do you know anithing about a GT RTS its all black the brakes are terrible also
love it
Gracias por el video...
Yo estoy vendiendo una en Mercadolibre de Argentina...
very cool bike! i would not ride it :)
K FIVE haha! Once I change the bar and stem it’s going to feel great!
94-95
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🚴😍🇧🇷
Some peoples sense of humor just don't jibe with mine, Staging a bicycle theft with a child as a joke, "not cool." Adds nothing to the video.
OMG!😂😂😂😂
C. Lock what up!!!
JC TRAILS Trying to maintain my sanity.
C. Lock I hear ya man! Crazy times.
Come on man do a bit of research..I stopped listening after the 5th mistake..
It’s a 95 not a 99
It’s a 3x8 not 3x9
It’s an elastomer fork
The bar is about 500mm wide not 100
It doesn’t have xt brakes
Lol
Lol...like riding a horse.
Benjamin Diamond Geddy-up!