They are versatile.
'89 800. $25. Needed tires, saddle, and a front shift cable housing.
Kinda low-end Exage Country components; 18 speeds with thumbies. Still a bulletproof workhorse of a bike. I had it out several times last winter.
'87 830. I think I paid $35 for this one. Didn't "need" anything, but I replaced the saddle.
Tigged frame, but I believe it's one of the last USA-built 800 series bikes. Early-ish indexed thumbies, 18-speed. Rocking some 26x1.75 street-tread tires on it at the moment. I love the old-school geometry on this one.
'91 850. Splurged on this one, $50 plus tires. Excuse the NDS photo...
One of my wife's favorites (her size). This one has Suntour "flip flop" trigger shifters. No sticky pawls/ratchets like the Shimanos (
AFAIK), but the levers are not-very-rigid plastic, it always feels like if you push too hard you'll snap one off. Now running 26x2.0 streeties, it's dreamy to ride, quick and responsive. I'm a softie for those dark anodized Matrix rims.
All three have period-correct Trek or Blackburn MTN racks, and have hauled everything from cameras to laptops to groceries.
Yet another life for an old 800 -- kids, don't try this at home --