Rescuing a Trek 970 — Starting the Resto-Monster Build

This is where it all begins — rescuing a 1996 Trek 970 and starting the Resto-Monster Build. I picked up this candy apple red Trek 970 for $100. With its XT rear derailleur, Deore hubs, and upgraded V-brakes, it was a higher-end mountain bike back in its day. The saddle is falling apart, the tires are dry rotted, and the frame has some surface rust… but it still has solid bones and a paint job that shines with a golden undertone. In this video: Pulling the 970 off the hook for the first time in years. Swapping saddles, airing up dry tires, and checking brakes & shifting. A surprise find in the old saddle bag — a vintage Park Tool MTB-1 multi-tool. First ride test on my local Michigan singletrack and gravel roads. Initial impressions: the geometry, the ride feel, and why this bike is worth saving. The verdict? This bike is a keeper. Next up: stripping it down, deep cleaning, and solving the problems that stand between this old steel MTB and its future as a Resto-Monster gravel bike. 👉 Subscribe and follow the full Trek 970 Resto-Monster series as we transform this bike step by step. #BikeBuild, #Trek970, #Restomod, #GravelBike, #VintageMTB, #RestoMonster ************************************************************************* I only recommend items I actually OWN and use. The links above may provide a small advertising commission at no added cost to you.