Originally Posted by
Cody Broken
Here's a bike I like to call The Bruiser. I have ridden to and from the shop (4 miles each way) a few times, so I'm posting it. It is a Murray Fox River All Terrain. I haven't researched its vintage, but it has to be around 30 years old.
I stripped it from stock form, with U-brakes and a 15 speed drive train and installed a coaster brake rear wheel. I think it is much happier. I sure like it. Then I installed the baskets. One thing that boggles me is the 165 mm cranks! It's just nutty! Makes hills even more challenging. I haven't weighed the bike, but I'm confident it is over 40 pounds.
It looks like low quality frame manufacture, but still pretty stout. I enjoy this sticker on the seat tube which reads: HURCULITE 20 MICRO ALLOY STRONGER AND LIGHTER
I get the impression that it has to be about ten years newer, max. I had a very similar bike around 1992. It was a bit heavy, but managed to survive quite a bit, including riding along the water at the beach, and a muddy area near my house. Nearly fanatic care kept it running like a new bike. I think I had to have a dérailleur replaced at some point. I know it's odd, but I can't remember what happened to it. I probably traded it to a friend.