What are your favorite vintage mountain bikes?
#76
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Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
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Over the years, I've ridden several MTBs and I've settled on higher end steel frames as my current favorites. Not only do they ride nice, the skinny tubes look great IMO.
I've had this Ritchey WCS tubed Breezer since 93 (on left). For many reasons, its still my favorite bike.
Then I got this 92 Prestige Stumpjumper to complement the Breezer. This bike rides very smoothly and is a blast to ride.
I recently got this 95 Teesdale Kona Hot with Tange Ultimate and Ultrastrong. With a modern 2x10 and carbon fork, it is quickly becoming my new favorite.
So that's my Tange trio of fave vintage MTBs
I've had this Ritchey WCS tubed Breezer since 93 (on left). For many reasons, its still my favorite bike.
Then I got this 92 Prestige Stumpjumper to complement the Breezer. This bike rides very smoothly and is a blast to ride.
I recently got this 95 Teesdale Kona Hot with Tange Ultimate and Ultrastrong. With a modern 2x10 and carbon fork, it is quickly becoming my new favorite.
So that's my Tange trio of fave vintage MTBs
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#79
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1986 Fisher Montare
1988 GT Karakoram
1988 GT Karakoram
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#81
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A question about your 1982 Stumpjumper, how do you know it's an 82 and not an 83? I was looking at this page and both your bike and the one on that page look identical.
Most of them had a disclaimer about subject to change, some did, some didn't, some were wrong and never changed, SOP.
#82
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My one and only mtb, Alan Carbonio, about 1990.
#83
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A question about your 1982 Stumpjumper, how do you know it's an 82 and not an 83? I was looking at this page and both your bike and the one on that page look identical.
#84
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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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Amongst my herd, these are my favorites,ridewise:
IMG_3078 by 2cam16, on Flickr
1991 GT KARAKORAM by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_3078 by 2cam16, on Flickr
1991 GT KARAKORAM by 2cam16, on Flickr
I have an Ironhorse Sonic instead of a Marin, so just missed a complete match .
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#86
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Lol! Sadly the GT was on my list when I thinned down the herd so it's gone. The Stumpy has been modified since then: dropper post, 1x drivetrain, red pedals, hydro disc brakes from my old Trek Fuel, new tires.
#87
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My fave is an RM Blizzard, which I don't own. I have two early Norco Bigfoots and an 88 C-Dale sm500. Was finishing the brake cables in January and snapped off 2 brittle cable guides. Must order alloy replacements. I've also have most of an 88' blue-white fade Fisher Montare, not built.
#88
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I have built up quite a few rigid frame mountain bikes for the bike Exchange. I won't touch a suspended model because the shocks usually are crap and for a bike we are going to sell , not worth replacing. I am partial to Specialized rock Hoppers as they are well built and often the paint is in good shape. Touchup and a clear coat and they look like new. I usually set them up with the largest street tires I can find and upgrade the components and we sell them for maybe $300 - 400. One of the nicest frames I have worked with was a Miata Ridge Runner? It had a fully lugged double butted frame with forged dropouts and fork ends complete with dropout adjusters. I sold it at our spring sale a couple years ago and I regret not buying it myself.
Here is a nice Schwinn Sierra . I have recently worked on a number of Japanese Schwinn's and I think they are under rated.
Here is a nice Schwinn Sierra . I have recently worked on a number of Japanese Schwinn's and I think they are under rated.
#89
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I am partial to Specialized. I’ve owned 11 of 22 mountain bike that have been Specialized. My current fleet has two S-Works Epics (and one frame) that almost vintage (2003 an 2006)
2006
2003
But the exotics that I really enjoy riding. This one is a 1998 Moots YBBeat that I use as my bikepacking bike.
I also have a 1999 Dean. Great ride.
And allow the bike doesn’t look it, this was marketed as a mountain bike. It’s a 1998 Nashbar Flashback which was a poor man’s answer to the Merlin Paper Boy’s Bike. I’ve owned 4 of these. One was stolen Christmas Eve, 2000. One was broken. I have this one and I have one that is my daughter’s Denver bike when she visits.
2006
2003
But the exotics that I really enjoy riding. This one is a 1998 Moots YBBeat that I use as my bikepacking bike.
I also have a 1999 Dean. Great ride.
And allow the bike doesn’t look it, this was marketed as a mountain bike. It’s a 1998 Nashbar Flashback which was a poor man’s answer to the Merlin Paper Boy’s Bike. I’ve owned 4 of these. One was stolen Christmas Eve, 2000. One was broken. I have this one and I have one that is my daughter’s Denver bike when she visits.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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#90
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I have built up quite a few rigid frame mountain bikes for the bike Exchange. I won't touch a suspended model because the shocks usually are crap and for a bike we are going to sell , not worth replacing. I am partial to Specialized rock Hoppers as they are well built and often the paint is in good shape. Touchup and a clear coat and they look like new. I usually set them up with the largest street tires I can find and upgrade the components and we sell them for maybe $300 - 400. One of the nicest frames I have worked with was a Miata Ridge Runner? It had a fully lugged double butted frame with forged dropouts and fork ends complete with dropout adjusters. I sold it at our spring sale a couple years ago and I regret not buying it myself.
Here is a nice Schwinn Sierra . I have recently worked on a number of Japanese Schwinn's and I think they are under rated.
Here is a nice Schwinn Sierra . I have recently worked on a number of Japanese Schwinn's and I think they are under rated.
I also know of a 1987 Miyata Ridge Runner, all original and in 8/10 condition. The guy wants $300 though. I'm not willing to go nearly that high. Maybe time will change his mind. I need to thin the herd in the meantime anyway lol.
#91
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That sounds high. The Mesa Runner was entry level. Probably a hi-ten steel frame and entry level components. Depends, of course, on your market.
#92
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Every time I ride this patinaed 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner it puts a smile on my face.
#93
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Probably this '90 Novara resto-mod. Rode it down Tiger Mtn a few years ago....
Originally spec'd with an 80mm (long travel) fork. 400 acd Kona P2 works pretty well.
the good stuff.
Originally spec'd with an 80mm (long travel) fork. 400 acd Kona P2 works pretty well.
the good stuff.
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#94
Full Member
Schwinn’s whole mid-80s range was great for one reason or another. For a bar/beater/shopping bike I really like the Mirada. I like it enough that we have 2 in my household. Easy clears 2.3s with fenders, and available as a step through.
Mine
And my wife’s
Mine
And my wife’s
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#96
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I currently ride a 1995(?) Park Pre 825. It's been a great rider. Maybe some knobbier tires but its an amazing bike.
#97
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Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
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My favorite because it's my only one. Built it in 1985.
1985 Cannondale SM600 with 24/26 wheels
I'd like to be able to get a Slingshot in my size one day.
1985 Cannondale SM600 with 24/26 wheels
I'd like to be able to get a Slingshot in my size one day.
Last edited by Bianchi84; 08-31-21 at 01:46 PM.
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#98
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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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Stumpjumper Ultra Rascal
Like these for different reasons. The comfort of the Stumpy the shear beauty of the Klein and the originality and detail I put into the Ritchey. I put a ton of sweat equity into these bikes and that’s the biggest quality that holds them dear to me.