Early nineties GT Pantera

GT Pantera we refurbished here at Bike Boom. If your'e not familiar, Bike Boom is a used bike shop in Davis square, on the border of Cambridge and Somerville , near Boston MA. where we specialize in restoring and refurbishing used and vintage bikes and offer professional bicycle repair services.

Parts list for GT Pantera vintage mountain bike

Rear Wheel: https://amzn.to/3526DqZ Front Wheel: https://amzn.to/2RmyIGj

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 

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: https://amzn.to/2s2IfIg

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

This GT Pantera 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 waster (the shock absorbs some of the pedaling 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 Pantera has an Aluminum 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 Pantera screams early 90's Orange-pink Neon paint scheme and punk-rock style decals. The goal in refurbishing bikes like the GT Pantera 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 Suntour thumb shifters which were not as good and crisp as shimano's. We had to replace front shifters since finding quality thumbs shifters is quite hard these days. We ended up replacing the tires to the semi slick and thin type  We had the chain and freewheel replaced along with a comfortable suspension seat post. 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 nice girl looking for a reliable point A to B bike for short commutes in the somerville area.

Spalding Blade Re

Are you looking to repair this bike?
Links below for parts you can buy now on amazon.

Over the years we repaired thousands of these 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.

Shifter cables and housing: https://amzn.to/38g40ol

Brake cables and housing: https://amzn.to/2DZqPPk

Handlebar Tape: https://amzn.to/2qxHiaf

Rear Wheel: https://amzn.to/2RuAB3X

Front Wheel: https://amzn.to/2PuFaIM

Tires (good): https://amzn.to/2s9eipE (similar look, casual use, choose 27x1 1/4)

Tires (better): https://amzn.to/33YwOyl (super flat resistant and fast rolling, choose 27x1.25 or 27 1 1/4)

Shifters: Front and rear (right and left): https://amzn.to/347vWrv

Rear Derailleur (good): https://amzn.to/2DYUOXF (choose w/ direct attachment)

Rear Derailleur (Better): https://amzn.to/2PupyVA (choose GS type)

Front Derailleur (good): https://amzn.to/3415IXm (choose double)

Front derailleur (better): https://amzn.to/2LAI262 (better quality, fit and finish)

Bottom Bracket: https://amzn.to/2RydlSI (Likely 68x122.5 but must measure spindle length before purchase)

Crank (good): https://amzn.to/2Yw7miQ (better quality fit and finish, will likely need a new bottom bracket)

Crank (better): https://amzn.to/2rg0YQx (lesser quality option, likely will not need a bottom bracket)

Freewheel: https://amzn.to/2qx4c1t

Headset: https://amzn.to/38EkfvQ (Choose 27.0 but it's better to remove crown race and measure inside diameter for sure)
Pedals: https://amzn.to/3593fvC (Modern style)

Pedals: https://amzn.to/2DZbNZP (same style as original)

Chain: https://amzn.to/38ayVCI (fits 5, 6, 7 and 8 speeds)

Brake pads (good): https://amzn.to/36eEldP (casual use)

Brake pads (better): https://amzn.to/38ixNN7 (Improved performance and wet/cold condition)

Brakes (rear): https://amzn.to/2P31N8o

Brakes (front): https://amzn.to/2Prqcn2

Brake Levers: https://amzn.to/2LQALz9 (similar to original

Brake Levers: https://amzn.to/356h3Hc (modern style)

Spalding Blade Re we refurbished here at Bike Boom. If your'e not familiar, Bike Boom is a used bike shop in Davis square, on the border of Cambridge and Somerville , near Boston MA. where we specialize in restoring and refurbishing used and vintage bikes and offer professional bicycle repair services. 
First time I bought  a Spalding Blade Re for the shop I was a bit puzzled. It seemed like a department store brand as Spalding is famous for their basketball and baseball equipment, especially the famous quality basketballs, I remember drooling over those orange leather basketballs in the local sports shop. I've seen my share of vintage department store 10 speed bikes (columbia, schwinn, huffy, free spirit, to name a few) but this ones struck me as a quality mid end bicycle from the 80's with it's alloy rims and suntour 7 components, the cranks and handlebars are steel but lots of the japanese brands had this parts mix on their low-mid range offering. The spalding blade Re is definitely Japanese or  Taiwanese as it has the standard geometry, tube dimensions, lug work and striping on the lugs. Department store bikes always offer older technology components on their bikes for example 7 speed systems when bike shop brands are equipped with 8 9 or 10 speed systems. The bike has friction shifting so it should be older than 1986 but being sold in department stores it should adhere to the rule I mentioned above so basically think it was sold as a low end bike in the late 80's but had the features of a mid end bikes of early-mid 80's, which makes sense as technology always trickles down in the bicycle business. We don't sell department store bikes but honestly, this one is as good as any Univega shogun or Fuji that was made a few years prior to this one. A few weeks later I found another spalding blade, turns out they were sold in Sears in the 80's. there was also a red women's spalding Blade  with cruiser bars that I will feature in the future. Overall, this spalding blade Re is a very nice lugged steel bike with very decent components and in mint condition, I don't think the bike had more than 50 miles on it. Sold to one of the line cooks in Mike's , the neighboring Italian restaurant in Davis Square. 

Schwinn Paramount Tandem

Schwinn paramount tandem spotted in front of the Bike Boom shop. If your'e not familiar, Bike Boom is a used bike shop in Davis square, on the border of Cambridge and Somerville , near Boston MA. where we specialize in restoring and refurbishing used and vintage bikes and offer professional bicycle repair services.

We ususally post here pictures and info of bikes we either refurbished or belongs to friends or customers of the shop. This Schwinn paramount tandem belongs to none of the above. It was spotted on a sunday, just as i was about to open the shop, i managed to take a few photos and when i came back to admire it, the schwinn paramount tandem was already gone. I'm guessing it belongs to a local couple who came to dine in one of davis squares numerous joints. Here is another schwinn paramount we featured in the blog, that post has lots of info, links and history about the paramount brand and waterford plant.  

1974 Gios Torino Super Record Revisited

1974 Gios Torino super record we sold here at Bike Boom. If your'e not familiar, Bike Boom is a used bike shop in Davis square, on the border of Cambridge and Somerville , near Boston MA. where we specialize in restoring and refurbishing used and vintage bikes and offer professional bicycle repair services
As you might remember we sold this gios torino super record wit full campagnolo nuovo record in "as is" condition. A few weeks later, the new owner, Adam has dropped by with the Gios torino super record after a good cleaning and a few updates. 
A new brooks saddle, tape, cables a new freewheel and reproduction campagnolo hoods have been added and according to Adam the ride is very enjoyable. Even though most of our customers are looking for solid, ready to ride commuters we are going to add more vintage high end road bikes to our collection and make an effort to stock them more regularly as the Cambridge, Somerville and Boston crowd , has an ongoing interest in these amazing riding machines.

1984 Fuji Espree

Are you looking to repair this bike?
Links below for parts you can buy now on amazon.

Over the years we repaired thousands of these 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.

Shifter cables and housing: https://amzn.to/38g40ol

Brake cables and housing: https://amzn.to/2DZqPPk

Handlebar Tape: https://amzn.to/2qxHiaf

Rear Wheel: https://amzn.to/2RuAB3X

Front Wheel: https://amzn.to/2PuFaIM

Tires (good): https://amzn.to/2s9eipE (similar look, casual use, choose 27x1 1/4)

Tires (better): https://amzn.to/33YwOyl (super flat resistant and fast rolling, choose 27x1.25 or 27 1 1/4)

Shifters: Front and rear (right and left): https://amzn.to/347vWrv

Rear Derailleur (good): https://amzn.to/2DYUOXF (choose w/ direct attachment)

Rear Derailleur (Better): https://amzn.to/2PupyVA (choose GS type)

Front Derailleur (good): https://amzn.to/3415IXm (choose double)

Front derailleur (better): https://amzn.to/2LAI262 (better quality, fit and finish)

Bottom Bracket: https://amzn.to/2RydlSI (Likely 68x122.5 but must measure spindle length before purchase)

Crank (good): https://amzn.to/2Yw7miQ (better quality fit and finish, will likely need a new bottom bracket)

Crank (better): https://amzn.to/2rg0YQx (lesser quality option, likely will not need a bottom bracket)

Freewheel: https://amzn.to/2qx4c1t

Headset: https://amzn.to/38EkfvQ (Choose 27.0 but it's better to remove crown race and measure inside diameter for sure)
Pedals: https://amzn.to/3593fvC (Modern style)

Pedals: https://amzn.to/2DZbNZP (same style as original)

Chain: https://amzn.to/38ayVCI (fits 5, 6, 7 and 8 speeds)

Brake pads (good): https://amzn.to/36eEldP (casual use)

Brake pads (better): https://amzn.to/38ixNN7 (Improved performance and wet/cold condition)

Brakes (rear): https://amzn.to/2P31N8o

Brakes (front): https://amzn.to/2Prqcn2

Brake Levers: https://amzn.to/2LQALz9 (similar to original

Brake Levers: https://amzn.to/356h3Hc (modern style)

1984 Fuji Espree we refurbished here at Bike Boom. If your'e not familiar, Bike Boom is a used bike shop in Davis square, on the border of Cambridge and Somerville , near Boston MA. where we specialize in restoring and refurbishing used and vintage bikes and offer professional bicycle repair services.

I love mint bikes. Who wouldn't? they are time capsules that create a clash between reality that surrounds you and what your eyes are actually viewing. Obviously, you need to know what your'e looking at. Today we have a mint condition1984 fuji Espree. I bought this bike together with a mint shape peugeot mixte, belonged to an elderly couple near Worcester MA. The 1984 Fuji Espree required a good cleaning, quick tune up and replacement of cables, tires, brake pads and tape to bring it from the basement it was housed for the last 28 years back to the 21st century.

It didn't have a scratch on it and the fuji decals were still shining and intact. 

The 1984 Fuji Espree was a mid end sport-touring model, just under the Fuji Del Rey. It had the fuji valite tubing in the triple butted variation which means the tubes are made to have 3 different widths, the thickest near the joints (lugs) and the thinest in the center of the tube where the stress in minimal. this allows for a light weight frame in comparison to a straight gauge tubing. The 1984 fuji espree has suntour ARX component throughout and one of the nicest shifter levers in my opinion which cast aluminum and have a ratchet action. I used the classic Fuji website to distinguish between the 1984, 1985 and 1983 models as they had the same color and components but different decals from the 1983 and different tubing from the 1985.

the Fuji Espree was sold to a young women who fell in love with it, didn't even want to try another one.

other fujis we featured on the blog: 1989 fuji ace and 1980 fuji gran tourer se mixte 

1984  Fuji Espree

1984 Fuji Espree

1984 Fuji Espree

1984 Fuji Espree

1984 Fuji Espree

1984 Fuji Espree