This GT tequesta is a great example of an affordable and reliable commuter. After we perfected the process of refurbishing vintage road bikes (10 speeds) and than english 3 speeds, we took on the challenge of refurbishing the early mountain bikes made from the late 80's to the late 90's. The correct term for these bikes is "Rigid" as they have no suspension, unlike the hardtail (front shocks) and full suspension (front and rear shocks). I have a lot of respect for these bikes as I used to race rigid mountain bikes back in the days when suspension was still considered unreliable and energy waister (the shock absorbs some of the pedalling energy) plus they were not that efficient as the early hardtails did not have more than 2" of travel (the distance the shock compresses).
GT was a strong player in the Mountain bike scene throughout the 90's. This early GT tequesta has a Tange double butted chromoly frame and a U brake in the rear but the location is quite unique, placed on the seat stays unlike most U brakes which were located under the chain stays. U brakes were wildly popular between 1986 to 1988. They were very strong but due to the location under the chain stays they were hard to service without flipping the bike up side down and also were basically mud traps when you actually took it off road. the GT tequesta screams early 90's with its marble violet paint scheme and punk-rock style decals. the goal in refurbishing bikes like the GT tequesta is keeping it under budget as these are the most affordable bikes in our shop. The parts these bikes came with were quite hi tech but not all of them survived, especially the shifters which were early variations of the shimano rapid fire ("click shift") and were constantly improved every year, but back then were not too reliable. They actually work well if they are being used but if a bike has been sitting for long the grease inside tends to gunk up and the shifters stop working. The shells were also weak and a lot of them crack and break. We ended up replacing the tires to the semi slick and thin type and the shifters which were suntour x-press, one of the worst shifter designs in history in my opinion. We had to replace the rear suntour XCE derailleur to a shimano as suntour derailleurs don't work well with shimano compatible shifters (in this case SRAM MRX grip shift). All the cables, brake pads and some of the housings were replaced as well. GT was a unique company and were readily identifiable due to the famous triple triangle geometry which, in my opinion, was mostly a gimmick. GT merged with schwinn in 1998 and was later bought by the pacific company and than by the dorel industries bicycle conglomerate.
sold to a graduate student in the Cambridge area.
Are you looking to repair this bike?
Links below for parts you can buy now on amazon.
Over the years we repaired thousands of Vintage bikes and became
experts in finding alternatives to original bike parts.
Buying parts for older bikes is confusing, as most of the original
parts have been discontinued.
We use these parts everyday
and created this list to make it easier for you to repair your bike.
Parts list for Early 90's GT Tequesta
Rear Wheel: https://amzn.to/3526DqZ
Front Wheel: https://amzn.to/2RmyIGj
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Tires (pavement, light off road): https://amzn.to/2YsSodj (choose 26x2.1)
Tires:(high performance off road): https://amzn.to/2LzPazq ((choose 26x2.1)
Shifter cables and housing: https://amzn.to/38g40ol
Brake cables and housing: https://amzn.to/2DZqPPk
Front and rear (set) Shifters (better): https://amzn.to/2Qzzv4X (3x7 only)
Front and rear (set) Shifters (good) : https://amzn.to/2u89Usc (select 6 or 7 accordingly)
Rear Derailleur: https: https://amzn.to/2sHJOeL
Front Derailleur: https://amzn.to/2Pj0QHH
Crank: https://amzn.to/2qp6e3H (choose 42/32/22 tooth type)
Freewheel (7 speed): https://amzn.to/2EZunS6
Freewheel (6 speed): https://amzn.to/2qx4c1t
Pedals: https://amzn.to/2OUDbyD
Chain: https://amzn.to/38ayVCI (fits 6, 7 and 8 speeds)
Headset: https://amzn.to/38EkfvQ (Choose 26.4 but it's better to
remove crown race and measure inside diameter for sure)
Brake pads: https://amzn.to/34TYUMF (standard use, original part)
Brake pads: https://amzn.to/369Nvbs improved performance and wet and
cold condition
Brakes Front : https://amzn.to/2s2IfIg
Rear Brake: https://amzn.to/366OBV2 (U brake)
Saddle: https://amzn.to/34Wkccn
Handlebar (25.4 clamp): https://amzn.to/34SU2XT
shifter cables and housing: https://amzn.to/38g40ol
brake cables and housing: https://amzn.to/2DZqPPk
