Is It Just Me? Or Where Have All the Early to Mid 1980s MTBs Gone?
05-02-19, 01:49 PM
#1
Thrifty Bill
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Is It Just Me? Or Where Have All the Early to Mid 1980s MTBs Gone?
I've enjoyed finding early MTBs over the years, with friction thumb shifting, cromoly frame, nice wheels and parts. Seemed like I could throw a rock in any direction and I would find one. I am not talking the really rare stuff, I am talking higher end Specialized, Trek and other similar brands.
It has really changed for me. The last one I found was over a year ago, a sweet 1983 Univega Alpina Ultima (always thought the Alpina Pro was the top, but it wasn't). Found that one in Orlando. But anymore, I just don't see them in the marketplace. And when I do, they often have high (to me) asking prices. Anyway, the supply of early MTBs has dried up.
I added Fat Franks to the Ultima, otherwise, it's as found.
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
It has really changed for me. The last one I found was over a year ago, a sweet 1983 Univega Alpina Ultima (always thought the Alpina Pro was the top, but it wasn't). Found that one in Orlando. But anymore, I just don't see them in the marketplace. And when I do, they often have high (to me) asking prices. Anyway, the supply of early MTBs has dried up.
I added Fat Franks to the Ultima, otherwise, it's as found.
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Last edited by wrk101; 05-02-19 at 04:10 PM.
05-02-19, 01:57 PM
#2
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I've enjoyed finding early MTBs over the years, with friction thumb shifting, lugged frame, nice wheels and parts. Seemed like I could throw a rock in any direction and I would find one. I am not talking the really rare stuff, I am talking higher end Specialized, Trek and other similar brands.
It has really changed for me. The last one I found was over a year ago, a sweet 1983 Univega Alpina Ultima (always thought the Alpina Pro was the top, but it wasn't). Found that one in Orlando. But anymore, I just don't see them in the marketplace. And when I do, they often have high (to me) asking prices. Anyway, the supply of early MTBs has dried up.
I added Fat Franks to the Ultima, otherwise, it's as found.
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
It has really changed for me. The last one I found was over a year ago, a sweet 1983 Univega Alpina Ultima (always thought the Alpina Pro was the top, but it wasn't). Found that one in Orlando. But anymore, I just don't see them in the marketplace. And when I do, they often have high (to me) asking prices. Anyway, the supply of early MTBs has dried up.
I added Fat Franks to the Ultima, otherwise, it's as found.
1983 Univega Alpina Ultima by wrk101, on Flickr
They just do the job well.
05-02-19, 02:04 PM
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Dang interwebs, forums and wingnuts promoting all those silly ideas. 
05-02-19, 02:05 PM
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I've also seen a few gliding around the Oakland hills trails, in their natural habitat. I guess the secret's out, like flying on Christmas Day. Not just for folks in the know anymore...
05-02-19, 02:11 PM
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They've probably all been stolen at least once by now. My theory is that homeless people and bike hoarders ended up with most of them.
I actually had an idea to start buying up quality MTB's, stripping the components and repainting the frames, and reselling them with refurbished parts under my own brand name. Anyone want to go into business with me?
I actually had an idea to start buying up quality MTB's, stripping the components and repainting the frames, and reselling them with refurbished parts under my own brand name. Anyone want to go into business with me?
05-02-19, 02:15 PM
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I put mine out at the street for free. It took days before anyone took it. It was so bad, My friend picked up an OLD RUSTY ladies bike out of the garbage for getting around at the marina. It was SO much more comfortable than my beloved 12 speed mountain bike with 26 x 2.125" tires mountain bike I was shocked.
05-02-19, 02:18 PM
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They've probably all been stolen at least once by now. My theory is that homeless people and bike hoarders ended up with most of them.
I actually had an idea to start buying up quality MTB's, stripping the components and repainting the frames, and reselling them with refurbished parts under my own brand name. Anyone want to go into business with me?
I actually had an idea to start buying up quality MTB's, stripping the components and repainting the frames, and reselling them with refurbished parts under my own brand name. Anyone want to go into business with me?
I thought that was already done.
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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.
05-02-19, 03:36 PM
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There's a fellow in Dallas who specializes in fixing up and reselling classic mountain bikes. Prices seem reasonable if the bikes are as good as they look from his ads.
And I see a lot of beaters in the D/FW area. Folks drag those bikes out of storage neglect and usually sell 'em as-is. Most of those bikes look like they'd need upward of $100 in parts and work to get back to riding condition.
And I see a lot of beaters in the D/FW area. Folks drag those bikes out of storage neglect and usually sell 'em as-is. Most of those bikes look like they'd need upward of $100 in parts and work to get back to riding condition.
05-02-19, 04:40 PM
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Still out there.
Picked up two gems last year for peanuts.
My ParkPre is a real gem and the Yeti XR3(?)was dumb luck.
One was a garage sale find and the other was a hand me down from an old riding buddy.
Not everyone wants a bunch of old bikes in their garage, especially when they retire.
Picked up two gems last year for peanuts.
My ParkPre is a real gem and the Yeti XR3(?)was dumb luck.
One was a garage sale find and the other was a hand me down from an old riding buddy.
Not everyone wants a bunch of old bikes in their garage, especially when they retire.
Last edited by gomango; 05-02-19 at 04:49 PM.
05-02-19, 05:39 PM
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05-02-19, 05:49 PM
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05-02-19, 05:52 PM
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Two words- Bullmoose & Biplane. They are unique to the early production MTB's. They get swooped up or parted out. Many had BMX parts that bring $.
Maybe should be three Bs. Bullmoose, biplane, Bmx!
Maybe should be three Bs. Bullmoose, biplane, Bmx!
05-02-19, 06:02 PM
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05-02-19, 07:01 PM
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My last early mtb find, ~ 10 months ago. It's made me cry. Stripped puller threads on the drive side, stripped crank bolt on the non-drive. I'm just going to salvage the chainrings and send the rest to the co-op.
05-02-19, 07:10 PM
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05-02-19, 07:18 PM
#20
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I guess it's like any hobby involving "vintage" stuff. The distinction between desirable "vintage" stuff and junk that is "old" gets blurred after the truly desirable stuff gets snapped up...
Sort of like how the 1950s and 1960s Les Pauls, SG, Telcasters, Stratocasters, Precision Basses, Jazz Basses and other prime model instruments were the desirable and collectible things- When the prices and availability of the premium items became untenable- then the lesser model guitars became desirable... and then the student model guitars from the big makers were desirable... Then it got to be anything that was "old" was desirably "vintage." And even stuff that just looked old became desirable... When you're looking for an SG, but you're triping over all these Melody Makers or Epiphone Crestwoods or Mustangs... they're everywhere- then one day- everyone wants them and there's none around.
Not that I've been there, done that, bought the commemorative snow globe and stuff...
Sort of like how the 1950s and 1960s Les Pauls, SG, Telcasters, Stratocasters, Precision Basses, Jazz Basses and other prime model instruments were the desirable and collectible things- When the prices and availability of the premium items became untenable- then the lesser model guitars became desirable... and then the student model guitars from the big makers were desirable... Then it got to be anything that was "old" was desirably "vintage." And even stuff that just looked old became desirable... When you're looking for an SG, but you're triping over all these Melody Makers or Epiphone Crestwoods or Mustangs... they're everywhere- then one day- everyone wants them and there's none around.
Not that I've been there, done that, bought the commemorative snow globe and stuff...
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
05-02-19, 07:21 PM
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It's plenty funny- especially in a forum consisting of junk collectors, hoarders and N+1-ers. 
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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.
05-02-19, 08:03 PM
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I have weakness for vintage MTBs as well and the local supply is definitely down.
05-02-19, 09:08 PM
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Thrifty Bill
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Anymore, I only find them on road trips. I have a couple of fishing holes that usually yield some (and like any good fisherman, mums the word on the location). I'll be visiting one area the end of this month. We will have to see if I find anything this time.
Biplanar forks and bear trap pedals? Not finding them at all...
Biplanar forks and bear trap pedals? Not finding them at all...
Last edited by wrk101; 05-03-19 at 07:16 AM.
05-03-19, 08:51 AM
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I have 3 mid-eighties mountain bikes in my garage - A Trek 820 Antelope, a Schwinn High Sierra, and a Schwinn Cimarron. Many more have passed through over the years - Diamond Back, Raleigh, Schwinn, Univega, Yeti, Yokota, were the best, and then I found a bunch of crap bikes that I donated right away.
I used to find them dirt cheap at yard sales, but not any longer. In the past couple of years I found the High Sierra and Cimarron, but that was just dumb luck.
I used to find them dirt cheap at yard sales, but not any longer. In the past couple of years I found the High Sierra and Cimarron, but that was just dumb luck.
05-03-19, 08:59 AM
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I have 3 mid-eighties mountain bikes in my garage - A Trek 820 Antelope, a Schwinn High Sierra, and a Schwinn Cimarron. Many more have passed through over the years - Diamond Back, Raleigh, Schwinn, Univega, Yeti, Yokota, were the best, and then I found a bunch of crap bikes that I donated right away.
I used to find them dirt cheap at yard sales, but not any longer. In the past couple of years I found the High Sierra and Cimarron, but that was just dumb luck.
I used to find them dirt cheap at yard sales, but not any longer. In the past couple of years I found the High Sierra and Cimarron, but that was just dumb luck.