To be honest it had no relation to old verses new. They were two differnt breeds. A MTB ten or fifteen years older would still have a higher BB and most likely a tripple. 26x195s look like a monster next to a 700x25. If it had an old twist grip it might look cleaner on the bars. Some of the older MTBs had solid forks as well even if they were a bit beefier than a Road Bike. It was more like you were used to a Arabian Horse and you were Comparing it to a Mule. Sure one is great from riding in the flat but not as good running up and down the trails in the grand canyon.