Originally Posted by
prairiepedaler
Assuming these are original parts on this EX model, this is what it came stocked with according to
this ad and just posted here by [MENTION=359721]Clang[/MENTION] in this
thread. It appears to be Mountain LX, and the plain Ascent should offer one calibre down from that on it.
That's a 1989 model, as it has the straight fork blades.. The presence of thumbshifters also indicates pre-1990.. Yours is from 1990.
Mountain LX was discontinued at the end of 1989.
The 1990 Ascent EX was spec'd with Shimano Deore LX.
The 1990 Asscent was spec'd with Shimano 400LX.