Austj42

Alight I`ll keep it Rigid haha only reason I was thinking about it was cause I didnt think it was anything special, I picked it up for $35. Yes I believe its a 26" model, I can put a few more pictures up when I get a chance

Austj42

here are a few more pictures I had taken of the components that are on the bike. I can get a few more overall shots when I`m home later as well

Bikedued

If the rear wheel is 24, is my main question? At some angles they can both look like 26". The super collecyible ones are 26 front and 24 rear. In either case you stole it, hehe.I will post mine later when I home.,,,,BD

Austj42

Oh I see, thats my bad, my apologies I`m new to this vintage MTB stuff haha. But I`ll definetly take a look at it later and see if its a 24 in the rear! I`m glad I did well price wise, what sorts of values do these old cannondales have in the market today?

Bikedued

No more than any average bike honestly, unless it's something special. I would say 180-300 if it's a dual 26 model, and I've seen people "asking" as much as 850 for the 26/24's. Doesnt mean they'll get it, but you never know how bad someone wants something until you offer it. I traded a Super V dual suspension 90's Cannondale for mine. I got the Super for 50 bucks, and had to spend 35 bucks for the rear suspension spacers that someone lost in the repaint. We both got pretty good deals regardless.,,,,BD

Austj42

I got a chance to check the rear wheel size last night and it was a 26 sadly, haha, but I`m still glad to hear that its worth a good amount more than I initially thought and hey its a pretty solid starting point for my first vintage MTB project

Bikedued

Hey that's okay? It's still a really nice bike. Now that I can look at it on a full size screen, it is a few years later than the 26/24's. Not much later though. I would clean it up, install new cables and chain, re-lube, and leave it like it is component wise. It looks like it will clean up very well!,,,,BD

Here's mine. It was originally dark green metallic. Pretty sure it's an 85 model.. They look weird, but ride like most other mountain bike. I have been told they climb like goats though. Never had mine on a trail yet. I'm too afraid to break something, haha. It came with almost zero original parts. Thankfully most of the original components are available and affordable. Almost there, except for paint.

Austj42

Yeah man I`m looking forward to getting it cleaned and tuned up! I did have another quick vintage mountain bike related question for you; the gentleman I had bought the lot of bikes from that had the red cannondale in it also had a Kestrel MXZ that he offered to sell me for what I though was a pretty good price. I didnt jump on it right then because I didn't have room in my car and I also understand its more of a show piece than something I would probably actually ride, but I was wondering if you would have any idea of what the value of something like that would be? Thanks man

Bikedued

No clue really, but they're seriously unusual! Worth picking up, and ride only on the road. Some people might ride it off road, but I wouldn't. Just not a carbon person. If it fits, it might be worth snagging for possible resale later.,,,,BD

So I was meaning to ask, is the seat level in the pictures your height, or the previous owners? If it's yours, you might need something quite a bit smaller, if you're at full leg extension at that setting.

Bikedued

Another odd thing too, is that I have a similar sized red Cannondale from that time period, and the top tube is horizontal. Most others I see are like yours.,,,,BD

Austj42

Huh that is very interesting, I wonder why there are so few of the horizontal top tube ones, possibly an eariler model that had fewer produced?

But as far as the MXZ goes I will probably pick it up cause it did look like it was around my size, so I think it would be worth it, and like you said I could always resell it in the future. And to answer your question, the seat was still in the position it was in when I picked it up, I had adjusted it after I took the picture and it actually fits me pretty well!

PeregrineA1 

'89 Landshark Dirtshark. As raced, back in the day.....

Bikedued

Yep got it a year or two ago. Paid a whole 5 bucks for it. It had never been used.,,,,BD

FLJeepGuy

Here's a few MTBs that have been in my garage at one point or another. All of them have moved on to other homes except for the last one: the 1995 Specialized HardRock Ultra which is in mint condition. I regretted selling the first one I had, so I picked this one up when I had the chance. This particular era of MTB is really popular in my area, so picking them up, tuning and refurbishing them, riding them for a while and then letting them move on to new homes has become a pastime for me.

1994 Kona Hahanna:


1997 Specialized HardRock GX Sport:


1995 Specialized HardRock Ultra:


1999 DiamondBack Outlook:


1994 Specialized HardRock Sport:


1995 Specialized HardRock Ultra (I'm keeping this one):

Binky

This one just hangs around forever...

BigSung

Bikedued

I got this Monday night with a group of four bikes. I am contemplating doing a drop bar conversion with a Gary Bar. How fitting would that be? Lots of heat gun work to go, removing all of the electrical tape, local thrash band stickers, etc etc. Undecided if I will go back with a suspension fork. It came with a Rock Shox Judy originally.

For being a steel framed mountain bike, it is surprisingly light. If I can get it to fit me without a stem riser, it will be a keeper. The stem on it now is pretty funny looking isn't it. It just turned 20 this year. 1996 Gary Fisher X-Caliber. XT rear, LX front, and one of those VERY cool looking "modern" Sugino cranks.,,,BD

This is as found of course. Hours of work and TLC needed, but it will live.

guzziee

Here's an early one that's on it's way to me

Victor Vincente Topanga!

Chris W.

Holy crap!!! A lot of cool history going on there! I am curious about this one (seen it a bunch on Facebook). All the other VVA bikes I've seen had cantilever brakes, I don't see any bosses on this frame?
Cheers,
Chris

guzziee

This is number 16 out of around 25 made, confirmed by the man himself. Most I've seen don't have cantilever brakes.

Bikedued

Did he ever make any chrome ones? I have a frame I suspect may be one of these, or a knockoff possibly. Tig welded, bizarre angles, plate dropouts with Campy drops welded to them. Even the bottom bracket is thin gauge tubing. BMX sized head tube. I can post some pictures later.,,,,BD

26 inch wheels fit, but barely, and you're limited to 1.75 tire in back.

guzziee

He mentioned all the topangas had the cammo paint, he has his own facebook page. Maybe you can post it on there and ask him.

Bikedued

I will do that. Thanks. The only ID mark is a number on the drops. MT09

Chris W.

Really looking forward to seeing this built up!!!

Cheers,
Chris

mstateglfr 

Neat find and slice of cycling history.
Having read about him a good but, that dude was (and is) unique to say the least.
He has lived more than most ever will.