Restoring a VERY Neglected 'Mystery' Full Squish - Flip Bike

Today, I don’t even know what we’re restoring. None of the original labels were on this mid 2000’s full suspension bike, but it turned out to be a diamond in the rough. We break this bike down, restore it to its former glory, and sell it to someone who will put it back on the trails.

To figure out what bike this is, you need to find one that matches

The brake levers were dated 2006, and the fork damper was dated 2008

This bike looks very similar to the Santa Cruz Heckler, and Superlight. However, the cable routing and rear triangle design are very different upon close inspection.

The Diamondback Atroz also looks almost exactly like this bike, however the derailleur hangers don’t match, and the rear triangles have significant design differences.

The Cannondale Rush looks very similar as well, and indeed the cable routing matches. However, the Rush uses a different derailleur hanger and has noticeable design differences all around the bike.

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[charlessnowden]

Pell’s Ridelight was an expensive bike, it came in four (4) models: Pro $1, 200 US, Elite $1, 600, Race $2, 300 and Team $4, 450 USD! It appears the bike that Seth was restoring was the Ridelight Elite. Whoever got it for $525 got a great deal.

[mattytownsend]

What I love about Seth is that he will never be satisfied with a half hearted job, he will always to do it to the best of his ability and it’s really great to watch.

[desertexpress]

Dude if this whole flip bike thing is going to be bigger you definitely need a ultrasonic cleaner. I wish I had bought this earlier for my motorcycle workshop.

[jonsiegrist]

The most important thing about this is it’s one less bike in the landfill. Putting new life into old bikes is noble work.

[namsaying]

9:50 I've been a bike mechanic for a year and you just taught me how to more effectively use these guys so thank you. No more fiddling around trying to route the magnet end from the outside!

[allenlebaron]

didn’t even realize this was just posted. love the videos seth. you got me stoked to try mountain biking after i stopped bmxing as a teenager finally 4 years later i got myself a mountain bike and have been riding loads

[joyfuflower]

This was more of a rescue than a restoration, love seeing bikes get sent on the trails instead of to a landfill!

[epock]

This may be a stretch, but hear me out. Back in 2006 there was a store called Backcountry Outdoors that lived under the giant salamander at Pisgah highway (this store has since moved across the highway and I believe is now the citadel called The Hub). They used to sell some home brand mountain bikes which from my memory were simple single pivot frames like this. Given where you live and the age of this bike, it is possible it came from there, which would be pretty cool!

[tonydejesus]

This series, as well as other channels like comet restoration and old shovel, set a great example for a world where instead of repairing things, we tend to throw things out and buy new. I love watching these for tips.

[HMWCmotorwerks]

Hey Seth,
My family and I recently got into the sport due to our oldest daughter having been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Naturally, we started on big box bikes... Mine was definitely too small, I constantly felt like I was going otb. I stumbled across your videos while researching the common mods to make big box bikes tolerable and have found the flip bike and parts bin upgrade series' particularly inspirational. I found a Giant Pistol 2 (full squish circa 06) at my local used sporting goods store priced at $40, had an employee test ride it and it didn't shift so I scored it for just $15! I immediately returned my big box bike to order a new derailleur, hanger, shifter, chainring, chain, brake levers, stem, bars, spacers, pedals, grips, crank tool, top cap & star nut. I even pulled and greased all the bearings and IT TURNED OUT GREAT! So much so that my aforementioned oldest daughter asked why she still had to be on a big box bike and if I could build her one as well. 😅 I know I'll likely never stumble across another $15 full suspension Giant, but I was thinking the Northrock xc27 (mfg by giant) could make a quality, yet inexpensive platform on which to build her a good intermediate hard tale by adding a 1x drivetrain, air fork and hydraulic brakes.

[wendellladiana]

..im turning 49 this year..and still love to ride bikes especially on the trails because of you Seth..love your videos❤️👍😊😉

[landisdell]

I love these! I learn a lot from each one. They’ve helped me rebuild my old hardtail and build a budget fatbike. They’re both way more than they started as and they’re now prized possessions. Keep it up!

[BenHaskell]

Paint job on this one came out amazing, definitely shows what you can achieve at home with patience and a bit of prep!

[jakescaglione]

Love your flip bike series! Doesn't get old no matter how many times I watch it!

[ManicTrailBanter]

I am restoring a Marzocchi DJ Comp fork right now, and this video helped me confirm that it is a grease only fork based on the exact same internals as yours, as always, Thank you Seth for the information and the entertainment. I am hoping to visit NC in the future and have even been looking houses around Asheville and the surrounding area. Cheers!

[littlebitifeverything]

Looks like a Santa Cruz Heckler. Awesome video! Keep them coming!

[Dylan_Draper]

This looks like a late 2000's Diamondback Recoil. My only hesitation in saying that's definitely what it is, is the added gusset on the seat tube. But that may just be present in large and up size frames.

[ErichVonCartmann]

Well Done again! Loving this "bike restore" series. You are a good man Seth for bringing all these bikes back to life, and then you turning around and selling them for quite a bargain. You are pillar for the biking community. The work you do on these bikes is very thorough and complete. I know of no bike shop as thorough and complete as the work you have done in all your bike restore videos. For some of the work you have put in, the local bike shop will charge at least $500 per bike for just the Labor Alone. Heck even a basic tuneup with really no work involved will be charge $100 these days for just the labor alone. A Bike Build where a shop builds up a brand new frame and uses brand new parts will be at least $250 these days; and the work you do is about 5 times more effort than that!

[MsRotorwings]

Bike saver! Love witnessing the restoration process! I still have my 2002 Bianchi Boardwalk. Old bikes are awesome.

[oakleymaliska]

These videos make my day 10x better.. Loving this series seth!