First MountainBikes publicity photos 1979
08-11-19, 10:08 AM
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First MountainBikes publicity photos 1979
In the fall of 1979 Gary Fisher and I decided we were going to build bikes on frames supplied by Tom Ritchey, under the company name "MountainBikes." Our "inventory" was nine Ritchey frames. There was one working example of the bikes we planned to sell, Gary's personal machine. He had built a bike on a frame made by Tom a few months before, and later Tom had advanced us nine more frames, the basis for our "business decision." I was still riding my Breezer, built by Joe Breeze the previous year.
One of the first orders of business was getting some photos of the bike. Gary had a Hasselblad camera, a relic of his light show, "The Lightest Show on Earth." He wasn't sure I could use the complicated camera, but I could certainly ride the bike, so I was the model used in the publicity stills, with his bike.
Rather than post the photos here, I will link to the blog entry on fattireflyer.com. All photos by Gary Fisher.
One of the first orders of business was getting some photos of the bike. Gary had a Hasselblad camera, a relic of his light show, "The Lightest Show on Earth." He wasn't sure I could use the complicated camera, but I could certainly ride the bike, so I was the model used in the publicity stills, with his bike.
Rather than post the photos here, I will link to the blog entry on fattireflyer.com. All photos by Gary Fisher.
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08-11-19, 11:26 AM
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Excellent pics and history, Charlie!
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
08-11-19, 12:30 PM
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cotton > lycra 
thanks for the share! love the old school atb's
thanks for the share! love the old school atb's
08-11-19, 01:13 PM
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So cool.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
08-11-19, 01:40 PM
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I enjoyed this.
Hard to imagine but there was a time when mountain bikes were not a thing. And mountain bikes revolutionized the industry.
Hard to imagine but there was a time when mountain bikes were not a thing. And mountain bikes revolutionized the industry.
Last edited by bikemig; 08-11-19 at 01:44 PM.
08-11-19, 02:08 PM
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This is a plug for Charlie Kelly's archive, "The Mountain Bike Legacy Project" if you have a few extra bucks please donate to preserve the early history of mountain bike's. This is a treasure, it would be a shame to lose it. Link below:
The Mountain Bike Legacy Project
: Mike
The Mountain Bike Legacy Project
: Mike
08-12-19, 12:03 PM
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Thanks Charlie!!!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
08-12-19, 06:11 PM
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Great story of the day behind the pictures. Really enjoyed the read.
-Kurt
-Kurt
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