Classic & Vintage - Can you help me determine if my bridgestone bike is "special"?

I bought a Bridgestone MB-4 for quite alot of money I think about 1990? I am pretty sure I paid over 800 for it then. Since then I have kept it inside and barely used it. It never seemed to fit me right and I am embarrassed to say I never learned to shift properly. I have had the handlebars changed and the tires changed. I still find it somewhat uncomfortable but to be honest much might have to do with my inept shifting and my poor level of fitness.

Today I went to a "woman's clinic" hosted in Portland. One of the women there told me that this bike doesn't really fit me as well as it should. She stated that she thinks I need a size up. But I did buy the bike from a reputable place and they gave me a cursory "fitting" then. The clinic woman said that these bikes are not made anymore, that they have almost "cult" status and that I might do well to try to sell it and get something else more suitable for me. Do you have any advise for how to go about selling it for the most I can get? How do I find out what I should ask for it...Where is the best place to sell it, in your opinion? ..I might wind up taking it and me to a professional "fitter" but I am hoping you experts can help me sort out the possibility of selling it also. I did a google search about the MB4 and really did not come up with much. Your advise greatly appreciated!

I don't know much about the Bridgestone mountain bikes, but I have found I can do no wrong when I sell things on eBay. A worldwide audience of enthusiasts is only a click away. I have seen things sell for some pretty silly prices.

The MB-4 was a midrange MTB in the Bridgestone lineup that spanned from the MB-6 to the MB-0 with the better the bike having the lower the model number. The MB-4 retailed for somewhere around USD$700 and represented the best bang-for-buck Bridgestone. When people talk about Bridgestone's cult-like status, they're talking about the philosophy behind the construction and spec of the bike. Bridgestone basically marketted a blend of Ritchey designs with sensible parts pick from the component manufacturers of the time (Shimano, Sugino, Dia-Compe, SunTour) into a mass-market bike that gave the consumer a good quality, well constructed and exceptional handling bike. IMHO, one of the coolest Bridgestone features was the Ritchey designed/inspired bi-plane crown forks found on the MB-1 and MB-2. The word that best comes to mind when describing a Bridgestone is "honest". Bridgestone's heritage lives on today in the form of Rivendell Bicycles which in some ways commands an even higher cachet of respect amongst cyclists and holds an even greater cultlike following.

Check out Sheldon Brown's scans of old Bridgestone Catalogues (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/).

What color is the bike? They changed colors every year, so that will nail down the year of manufacture. If it's a 1990, it has the Ritchey Logic tubing and that's a good thing. When I was looking for a Bridgestone MTB, they were going for $120 to $380 on eBay, depending on condition and upgrades. I'm only talking a about MB-1s and MB-2s. I didn't pay attention to the lesser models because that's not what I was looking for. The bidding was heavy on those bikes because lots of people want them. I don't know how many people want an MB-4. I ended up buying a worn out MB-2 for $120. I kept the frame and stem and discarded everything else. I think you could get as much $200 for your MB-4 if it's in excellent condition, a medium frame size and a nice color. You never know with eBay, though.

thanks everyone for your help!
Dirtdrop, the bike is all white. I doubt that I will want to go to the trouble of selling on eBay for $200. And now that I know that it is HONEST (great description, kh!) I am inclined to just bring it out of hibernation and respect it's honesty.
Again--thanks for all your help...what a neat forum!

..I might wind up taking it and me to a professional "fitter" ....Yeah, your fit issues may be fixable by someone that knows what they are doing, assuming the bike isn't just way too big or small.[

Celestia:
I believe that you will run into folks, who will gladly share thier opinion and slam a product quickly, not being what they believe in only creating doubt that is unwarranted. The main thing is to go to another LBS and ask if they could help you set the bike up for your size and comfort. THe seat may be too far forward or back and that would be uncomfortable. Glad to see you are thionking of hanging onto the Bridgestone, and at leasat give it a good workout before deciding that it is not the bike for you, which could also may very well be the case. I have to admit that I am a road cycle freak, but always find sheer enjoyment when I pull my CB-1 out, and toodle around the city. At first the CB-1 was not the most comfy ride, but with a little finessing, ( I found I needed to have the seat a tad bit higher than normal) I was quite cozy.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Tim

I still find it somewhat uncomfortable but to be honest much might have to do with my inept shifting and my poor level of fitness.I suggest that you take the bike to a shop, have it adjusted, and then take it for short spins whenever you have time. Unless the bike is way too big or small, it can probably be adjusted for you. Shifting skills are mostly just repetitions. Do it every day for a couple of weeks and you'll find that you don't even think about it anymore.

The woman at the clinic had me straddle the bike and lift it from the center so that my crotch came in contact with the center rail thingy --she told me that the tires should then be in the area of 4" off the ground. My tires were about 2" off the ground. I will do that thing mentioned with the seat. Your advise appreciated!
I took it out today and worked on understanding the shifters...it is a super bike and I will see what I can do to make it more comfortable. thanks harlan, sydney and grumpy and everyone else!

Test ride a larger bike. That should tell you if you need a larger bike. If you don't, give it a tuneup. Ask the shop to put on a longer stem (they'll help on how far). Get a good saddle, you will prob have to try a couple
before one really works for you. Get one with titanium rails.

I tend to go smaller on MTBs, based on some advice I got long ago, and the fact I ride a 62/63cm roadie anyway. You can adjust fit some with seatposts and stem. However, the other day I was on a friends 55cm roadie (helping him fix it, testing it out for a noise) and I felt like the bear on the tiny bike at the circus... so there's a size range that likely fits you.

I have a 1991 (? I think) Bridgestone rb2, and it's a wonderful bike, very quick, very well made and thought out. At 59cm, a bit on the small size for me, but it fits me very well (so a smaller bike can fit). If the Bridgestone MTBs are anything like the Bridgestone road bikes in terms of quality, design, and thought-outness (is that a word?) I'd probably keep it. You're unlikely to find a better hardtail MTB.

Celestia:
I am glad you are going to check the set up and find out if the fit is correct. I chuckled when I read that the tires were 4 inches from the ground holding the bike upward, since my bridgestone comes to almost that as well, and I find that rather comfortable for this bike. My racer though is much higher and so almost no clearance there, so I am wondering how t he criteria was set to determine the "right" size for you. I agree with Sydney Grumpy Poguemahone and late as well. Best way to know what is a good size is test ride many bikes, and the one you have just ride ride ride, and soon "you" will know what is best for you. I also have a couple of ATB's that are technically way to small for me, ie almost toddler bikes, and I have a blast with them. Seat way up high bars at the max, and oh so much fun they are. I would have been more worried though if you had said that your feet were 4 inches off the ground standing over the bike.... ouch!
Good luck!
Tim

ah Tim, I think you misunderstood... the clinic lady said 4" was ideal--but mine were off the ground only 2". I see though that I have been making too much of this as my way to resist using it! lol !! Seriously, what a wus! lol lol---I am taking it out today --so glad I came here to "talk it over" with youse guys!

Hi Celestia,
Just a couple of points:
1. Are you riding the bike offroad? If so, 4" clearance is a good idea. If you intend to ride on pavement, 2" is more than enough clearance, roadbikers do with a lot less.

2. Have your consultant or a good shop check your fit vs. the bikes toptube length. If the frame is close to the right size some seat repositioning and/or stem changes will make you more comfortable.

ride safe,
Steve

The experts at the local bike shop would say that my MB2 is much too big for me. The standover height is only about 1" lower than my road bikes and it would be less if I wasn't using skinny slicks. I think the rule of thumb is 3" more. I ride my MB2 on the road and on smooth bike trails, so I don't need the extra room for safety. A smaller frame would mean the seat would be higher relative to the bars and that's uncomfortable for me. What I'm trying to say is that your bike may be the perfect size for you if you plan to ride it mostly on the road. I don't have statistics to prove it, but I think that most of the mountain bikes sold are ridden 99% of the time on pavement.

http://community.webshots.com/album/354682065oGAyvO

Most all Bridgstones are collectable. I don't think there is any Bridgestone that is not wanted by a lot of people.