The Vandal Metalworks revives 1999 GT LTS with custom geometry, mullet wheels and retro

Nov 02, 2023

Graffiti paintjob and a custom handlebar complete the striking build

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By Nick Clark

Published: August 30, 2023 at 3:00 pm

There were many standout bikes at the inaugural Brazin’ handmade bike show this year, but this modified 1999 GT LTS mountain bike especially caught our eye.

Created by the owner of The Vandal Metalworks, Ande Dallas-Murdoch, the GT LTS frameset has had an extensive rework to modernise its geometry. It now features a 64-degree head angle that wouldn’t be out of place in the current line-up of best enduro bikes.

Dallas-Murdoch has been making custom and modified bikes for five years, after originally taking up the brazing torch for connecting plumbing pipes. He soon taught himself how to build bike frames through trial and error, rather than any formal training.

Dallas-Murdoch ended up reviving this GT LTS because he wanted to modify a retro mountain bike, but he says he found it difficult to find a classic 90s MTB due to their recent popularity.

The GT LTS was available in two frame materials, with the top-end model made from aluminium and this entry-level frame from steel.

“The good thing about steel in particular is that it’s so repairable,” says Dallas-Murdoch. “So long as it doesn’t turn to rust, this bike will be around forever.”

Most of the modification on the bike has taken place in the front triangle, with everything from the seat tube forward being a new design.

To get the desired 64-degree head angle, Dallas-Murdoch has brazed a horizontal tube onto the original top tube to join it to the front end.

The seat angle has also steepened to 79 degrees, with Dallas-Murdoch saying this has given the bike a significant gain in climbing performance over the original GT LTS, despite the bike’s extra weight.

This reimagined bike has a mullet setup, with a 29in wheel at the front and a 26in wheel at the rear, similar to the Trek 69er.

The rear triangle of the bike appears to stay true to the original GT LTS design, but it has been widened to accommodate modern Continental Trail King 2.4in mountain bike tyres.

Dallas-Murdoch says this is a large improvement on the bike’s original 2in tyres.

As well as having an extreme mullet setup, the GT LTS also has hand-built wheels.

The front wheel has a snowflake spoke pattern, which looks great, though Dallas-Murdoch says the design is more than just decorative.

“People will complain about the snowflake spoke pattern because they say it’ll never be as strong as traditional methods. But I like it and I had some longer spokes lying around that needed using, and each twist shortens them by 2mm,” explains Murdoch-Dallas.

Alongside the adapted frame and hand-built wheels, this GT LTS has a host of unique finishing touches.

The frame has a graffiti paint marble effect, used to give the bike a black, textured finish.

The handlebar is custom-made by The Vandal Metalworks from T45 steel. It features a brazed support bar and a 100mm rise.

The bike has a singlespeed drivetrain, with a 32-tooth chainring and a 19-tooth cog at the rear. Dallas-Murdoch says this gear ratio is sufficient for most riding, bar the steepest gradients.

There is a 160mm RockShox Pike suspension fork featuring a retro-inspired Rudy DH paint scheme that harks back to the 90s.

An original RockShox Deluxe shock from the time the bike was originally made sits in the frame, giving an approximate 50mm of rear-suspension travel.

The bike’s head badge is shaped like an origami bird. Dallas-Murdoch says the direction it faces signifies whether his creation is a modification or a custom bike. The badge on the GT LTS points to the driveside of the bike to signify it’s modified.

There are no hints as to what The Vandal Metalworks is working on for next year’s Brazin’ handmade bike show, but we’re hopeful it’ll be as striking as this.

Digital Writer

Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. A mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Described as having a good engine in his racing days, it’s now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road.

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