Show us your vintage mountain bikes!
#9076
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,546
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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Interesting, Jim. Is the Ritchey to catalogue spec or did you take some liberties?
I have an opportunity to buy a little used '91 Stumpjumper Team (the one with the wild purpleish/black paint and the yellow graphics), but unfortunately the frame is only 18" so too small for me -- I'm fine with anything from 19" to 20". Thing is, it's still catalog spec with all the Suntour XC Pro components in fine, little used condition. They're asking $450 for the bike and I'm tempted to make an offer to scoop up the parts and recoup some of the money by selling the frame. I hate to part out a nice original Stumpy like that, but it's no good to me in the wrong size even if it would get ridden very little.
I have an opportunity to buy a little used '91 Stumpjumper Team (the one with the wild purpleish/black paint and the yellow graphics), but unfortunately the frame is only 18" so too small for me -- I'm fine with anything from 19" to 20". Thing is, it's still catalog spec with all the Suntour XC Pro components in fine, little used condition. They're asking $450 for the bike and I'm tempted to make an offer to scoop up the parts and recoup some of the money by selling the frame. I hate to part out a nice original Stumpy like that, but it's no good to me in the wrong size even if it would get ridden very little.
He doesn't build anymore but does some amazing machine work and restoring.
I'm just a fan here in Portland where he built his frames before going to Specialized to really leave his mark on the cycling industry which he very much did.
The Ritchey frame is believed to have been a frame only, no S/N and no one I have talked to has seen another chrome one.
The parts are a collection of what was used on many early MTB's when they started, Big S used TA triple cranks on the early Stumpys as well as Mafac cantis with Magura and Tomaselli levers. Many parts were sourced from motorcyles at the time before the bike industry got up to speed on them.
I put Magura levers and Mafac touring/tandem canti's on the front and it came with the Charlie Cunningham/SunTour roller cam on the back, this frame also came with the incredible original fillet brazed bullmoose bars and Campy headset.
I used SunTour thumbies that are a bit newer than the frame I think and nice wheels with Bullseye hubs and modern Ritchey tires and grips instead of oldschool Oury grips that I normally use which I did have on here to begin with.
Shimano (not my favorite just because) Deerhead/MT (same thing) drailleurs were used as they were early recognizable, very reliable choice used by many.
Its a long and winding road as the components changed rapidly in the early days as companies scrambled to get it right with what they had to work with.
Last edited by merziac; 05-13-24 at 02:17 PM.
#9077
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 2,509
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam,1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
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This is here already but I finally cracked the code and notched a win for best original at the Albany (OR) Vintage bike show, turn out was a little thin and they are not our tribe but the Ritchey finally got me there after going 6 or 7 times.
Pretty good group of folks and are always glad to have you but really a balloon tire/BMX crowd with some MTB tendancies.
Pretty good group of folks and are always glad to have you but really a balloon tire/BMX crowd with some MTB tendancies.
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#9078
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 340
Bikes: 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 1989 Supergo Access Comp, 1989 Nishiki Pinnacle,1990 Trek 750, 1990 Trek 970, 1991 Miyata Quickcross, 1992 Bridgestone RB-2, 2002 Stumpjumper M4 Pro
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146 Posts
Congrats, Merziac!
Adding on to the Schwinn Sierra shown above, here's a 1985 I picked up the other day. "Black chrome" finish and I believe is all original except tires. It rides nicely!
Adding on to the Schwinn Sierra shown above, here's a 1985 I picked up the other day. "Black chrome" finish and I believe is all original except tires. It rides nicely!
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#9079
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,546
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,850 Times
in
3,910 Posts
Interesting, Jim. Is the Ritchey to catalogue spec or did you take some liberties?
I have an opportunity to buy a little used '91 Stumpjumper Team (the one with the wild purpleish/black paint and the yellow graphics), but unfortunately the frame is only 18" so too small for me -- I'm fine with anything from 19" to 20". Thing is, it's still catalog spec with all the Suntour XC Pro components in fine, little used condition. They're asking $450 for the bike and I'm tempted to make an offer to scoop up the parts and recoup some of the money by selling the frame. I hate to part out a nice original Stumpy like that, but it's no good to me in the wrong size even if it would get ridden very little.
I have an opportunity to buy a little used '91 Stumpjumper Team (the one with the wild purpleish/black paint and the yellow graphics), but unfortunately the frame is only 18" so too small for me -- I'm fine with anything from 19" to 20". Thing is, it's still catalog spec with all the Suntour XC Pro components in fine, little used condition. They're asking $450 for the bike and I'm tempted to make an offer to scoop up the parts and recoup some of the money by selling the frame. I hate to part out a nice original Stumpy like that, but it's no good to me in the wrong size even if it would get ridden very little.
I always look at it that you can put newer parts on an older frame as that happened organically along the way through attrition.
I also think it ok to retro fit a good example with older parts if the retro vibe can be strengthened by the frame in question.
Anything that came with a fugly unibrow fork is fair game to change IMO, they just kill the vibe for me and yes the Ritchey has one but not much I can do about that, its a Tange, lugged, fits perfect so here we are, it came that way and a correct fork would have to be made from scratch for it, just not happening on my watch.
#9080
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,546
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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3,910 Posts
#9081
Full Member
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Dickinson, ND
Posts: 269
Bikes: Some old ones and some new ones
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114 Posts
I don't have a strong opinion on newer ones like this, if the components are in good shape and you can go there, make it so.
I always look at it that you can put newer parts on an older frame as that happened organically along the way through attrition.
I also think it ok to retro fit a good example with older parts if the retro vibe can be strengthened by the frame in question.
Anything that came with a fugly unibrow fork is fair game to change IMO, they just kill the vibe for me and yes the Ritchey has one but not much I can do about that, its a Tange, lugged, fits perfect so here we are, it came that way and a correct fork would have to be made from scratch for it, just not happening on my watch.
I always look at it that you can put newer parts on an older frame as that happened organically along the way through attrition.
I also think it ok to retro fit a good example with older parts if the retro vibe can be strengthened by the frame in question.
Anything that came with a fugly unibrow fork is fair game to change IMO, they just kill the vibe for me and yes the Ritchey has one but not much I can do about that, its a Tange, lugged, fits perfect so here we are, it came that way and a correct fork would have to be made from scratch for it, just not happening on my watch.
The XC Pro parts on the '91 Stumpy I referred to would likely go on a '90 Bianchi MTB frameset-- Bianchi used XC Pro on many of their high-end MTBs back in the day so it would certainly be period correct.
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#9082
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,546
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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Thanks for the build info. on your Ritchey, merziac. It sounds like it's period correct and that's probably about all you could do with no other guidance for a frameset only. That's crazy your chrome one seems to be a one-of-one frame.
The XC Pro parts on the '91 Stumpy I referred to would likely go on a '90 Bianchi MTB frameset-- Bianchi used XC Pro on many of their high-end MTBs back in the day so it would certainly be period correct.
The XC Pro parts on the '91 Stumpy I referred to would likely go on a '90 Bianchi MTB frameset-- Bianchi used XC Pro on many of their high-end MTBs back in the day so it would certainly be period correct.
Well it can be whatever it needs to be really, another term I like to use is "sympathetic resto, build" etc, very open, to very loose interpretation, by design.
It's entirely possible that somebody had this chromed or it was a one off, maybe when it was built.
The best thing about this is it being big enough for me, no small feat.
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#9084
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 340
Bikes: 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 1989 Supergo Access Comp, 1989 Nishiki Pinnacle,1990 Trek 750, 1990 Trek 970, 1991 Miyata Quickcross, 1992 Bridgestone RB-2, 2002 Stumpjumper M4 Pro
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146 Posts
Here's a 1988 KHS Montana XT I picked up recently from the original owner. Deore XT throughout, and Araya RM-20 rims. It had heavy tires with super heavy "flat proof" tubes. I replaced with lighter tires and regular tubes.
#9085
Learning To Fly
Before and after. This one was almost too far gone but I embraced the challenge of bringing it back to life because I used to have one just like it back in the day. Hoping to take this one on a dirt/gravel adventure tour soon.
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#9087
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 471
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport
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My 91 Axis ready to shred👊🏼
#9088
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 2,509
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam,1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
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#9089
Learning To Fly
They are in fair enough condition but wanted something taller and narrower which fits me better. Planning to use it as an xc tourer so some style sacrificed for comfort there. Also the alloy stem/bars are much lighter. Didn’t weigh the alloy stuff but just tipped the scale at 857g with the original bullmoose. I’m sure I will find a suitable project for them eventually!
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#9091
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,469
Bikes: More than I care to admit
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510 Posts
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
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#9093
Member
Trek 6500
I recently posted about finding this bike in the “Your Catch of the Day / Saved from the Dump” thread here.
Although maybe borderline vintage as a 2001 model, I think it still has the classic aspects of a vintage hard tail mountain bike. There are some gouges in the paint on the non-drive side, but the rest of it is in such good shape that I’m going leave it stock. If I repaint it at some point, it will probably be a restoration rather than a customization. The only things I’ve changed are to add a stem and handlebar with a little more rise than the originals, and the DoubleFighter tires I had on hand. A previous owner had put on some of those generic “mountain” tires that come on department-store bikes. I’ll keep the original stem and handlebar so I can pass them along to the next owner. Or, more likely, my kids can.
Although maybe borderline vintage as a 2001 model, I think it still has the classic aspects of a vintage hard tail mountain bike. There are some gouges in the paint on the non-drive side, but the rest of it is in such good shape that I’m going leave it stock. If I repaint it at some point, it will probably be a restoration rather than a customization. The only things I’ve changed are to add a stem and handlebar with a little more rise than the originals, and the DoubleFighter tires I had on hand. A previous owner had put on some of those generic “mountain” tires that come on department-store bikes. I’ll keep the original stem and handlebar so I can pass them along to the next owner. Or, more likely, my kids can.
#9094
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 340
Bikes: 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 1989 Supergo Access Comp, 1989 Nishiki Pinnacle,1990 Trek 750, 1990 Trek 970, 1991 Miyata Quickcross, 1992 Bridgestone RB-2, 2002 Stumpjumper M4 Pro
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Here's my 1989 Supergo Access Comp II yesterday at Cardiff beach in San Diego. Obscure brand, but it's a great bike with Columbus tubing... IDK how that came about but it's true!
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#9096
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 471
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport
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246 Posts
Better pic😎
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#9097
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,969
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
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made some progress with the PDG70
21.8 lbs as shown above
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#9099
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,969
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
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