Maddox

I ran across a neglected but unabused '89 Bridgestone MB-4 at a local thrift store, still with the original Ritchey Force stem and bar and a barely-used Mountain LX group. It's too small for me, but since it was priced as an absolutely steal, and could be sold whole or used as a donor bike, I scooped it up.









Any thoughts on value or desirability? I'm familiar with Bridgestone MB's (I have an early-90's MB-1 in my garage), but not with the Mountain LX group. Would this bike be worth restoring for a sale, or should I just sell it as is, or part it out?

Also, any thoughts on the Ritchey Force stem and bars? My MB-1 was bought as a frame only, so it doesn't have the original Ritchey setup, so I've thought about switching those over to my MB-1. But I don't really have any idea on value on those either.

Bianchigirll 

Nice looking MTB. I am not sure what you paid for it but I am sure with a little elbow grease and a good tuning it would be worth reselling, especially out there in Arizona.

the LX group was a (I believe) a short lived upper end group that after a year or two became Deore LX (so there was Deore XT {topdog** Deore DX and Deore LX) it was pretty good stuff. I would certainly snatch up a used MTB in that condition with LX on it.

I can speak with too much certainty about the bar and stem but I would imagine that was just Ritchey branded product and other than his name being put on it he had little to do with it. (like Ted Williams golf clubs)

what is on your MB-1? if the MB-1 feels good I would not get hung up on swapping the parts just because it says Ritchey

gomango

These are quite serviceable bikes, and I would leave this one intact.

We have four "Craiglist brand" mountain bikes up at our cabin for guests to enjoy.

We usually spend about $100 a piece on them and I would think this one is in the same category.

A new chain, a quick servicing, some air in the tires and this one would go for many commuters here in the Twin Cities as well.

RaleighSport

I'm actually in the process of tearing down an 88 MB-4 (Not nearly as nicely preserved as yours). It was rideable right from the salvage yard, and they are definitely enjoyable if HEAVY bikes, I'm not sure about the ability to make any money off one though... then again with the way your pic looks I don't think you'd need to do any work for it to be flippable? I'm just assuming you'd have to find someone who wants a bridgestone and doesn't care that it's close to a bottom of the barrel one... Nice score though!

wrk101

Around here, there is some minor work and expense before flipping this bike. First, it needs a new chain, polishing compound on frame, general cleanup, new cables. Can't tell if the tires look good, if they look fine, just keep them. After that work, might bring $125.

I've pretty much given up trying to make money on MTBs, but occasionally I will grab one if it is super cheap (last one I picked up was $11).

+1 To below, they make a great recreational bike to have in the family fleet, very versatile, cheap, rugged, reliable, etc. What's not to like.

RaleighSport

Yeah they're definitely a losing battle with profit around here... I buy MTB's though as I'm trying to get up to having 2 full ones for my own use that I truly enjoy.

sunburst

Zombie thread! I know, but this is interesting, imo. This bike showed up in California on craigslist, 5 1/2 years later, claiming 100 original miles, mostly garaged, blah, blah. Photos were cut and pasted from this thread.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik...289147051.html

bikemig 

$150 is a decent price in San Francisco and not a terrible price even in the middle of the country where I live.

sunburst

I was actually going to drive about 40 minutes to see this bike today, b/c the condition does look good. Turned off by the subterfuge though.

What do you think about the bike itself? I'd like to get a fairly light fun-to-ride rigid fork mtn bike that I can put slicks on and bomb around town.

bikemig 

I would not be excited by someone passing off fake photos. Get some real ones but the price is not bad for that bike assuming the condition is as good as claimed.

reidracer

I purchased what I assume is this bike from the Sportsbasement Sunnyvale swap meet in 2016. It was purchased from a gentleman selling a number of bikes...all of which had photo printouts of alleged histories. This post and its pictures were used to identify its origin. If there was subterfuge...as has been alleged...it was not from me. I have owned hundreds of bikes over a 35 year history. I buy them often and I sell them often. I bought it for $150 and I'm selling it for exactly what I paid after 2 rides and an inability to ride it comfortably. The world of bikes is very much smaller than you think. I have run into bikes that I built 30 years ago in other countries, so save your judgement as to whether there's some attempt at me deceiving anyone with "fake photos". I used exactly the same photos I was sold the bike with. This bike is in spectacular shape which is why I bought it in the first place and I'm merely looking to pass that on to someone else who can appreciate that.

bikemig 

All the OP is asking for is that you post pics of the bike you are selling.

sunburst

OK everybody, I've had a few emails with reidracer and he's legit. It was odd how this unfolded b/c I showed the cl ad to someone much more familiar with mtn bikes than me, and he pointed out the cropped photos and out-of-state plates on the truck, and then, amazingly, I googled Bridgestone MB-4 and it led directly to this thread. So that was something to investigate.

My local bike charity (SVBC) is having a big sale Saturday, and they have lots of good vintage bikes. If I don't find something there, I'll almost certainly go over (the coastal mountains) and check out reidracer's Bridgestone. And btw, reidracer, I went to that Sportbasement swap meet years ago. It was only their 2nd one, iirc. It was like $5 entrance and that included a (Anchor Steam!) beer and a burger. Do they still do that? And SVBC was there selling bikes the year I went. Do you go to the Cupertino swap meet? Lots of good bikes there. I picked up a nice touring bike for a friend. I have a weakness for mixtes and there was a guy almost about to pay me to take a nice Japanese example home. I try to go every year, and without fail, buy things I don't need. Fun though.

reidracer

I have been to Cupertino many many times. My coworker at Sportsbasement (at the time) created the Sunnyvale swap. I've been there at least half of the 9(?) years it's been around. Sampled snacks and beer there each time. It's a fun event. I'll have to check out this sale you mentioned coming up. Sounds like a good one.