Holy Cow
05-01-16, 05:59 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Holy Cow
Flea marketing yesterday and spotted this. At first I thought it was a road bike frame with incorrect wheels, but no, the brakes matched up so 26” wheels were right. Very low price so I bought it on a whim.
A little research seemed to indicate it was just a large frame (23”---my road bike size) mountain bike. Really looks goofy to me.
Shimano sis, Araya 26 x 1.50 wheels, thumb shifters, cantis, a biopace type chain ring, and an unbelievably heavy Chromo 4130 frame. Feels like a Varsity.
Obviously post 1988 as shown on the decal that states, “Made in Taiwan for BMX products”
It does seem to be in nice condition: good paint, shifters work, wheels straight, nice saddle (original?), so I’m tempted to throw on a pair of 26 x 1.75’s I have laying around and give it a go.
Who can tell me about my extremely rare and valuable new find?
A little research seemed to indicate it was just a large frame (23”---my road bike size) mountain bike. Really looks goofy to me.
Shimano sis, Araya 26 x 1.50 wheels, thumb shifters, cantis, a biopace type chain ring, and an unbelievably heavy Chromo 4130 frame. Feels like a Varsity.
Obviously post 1988 as shown on the decal that states, “Made in Taiwan for BMX products”
It does seem to be in nice condition: good paint, shifters work, wheels straight, nice saddle (original?), so I’m tempted to throw on a pair of 26 x 1.75’s I have laying around and give it a go.
Who can tell me about my extremely rare and valuable new find?
05-01-16, 06:21 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,549
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 179 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5935 Post(s)
Liked 3,623 Times
in
2,150 Posts
Looks to be a good quality vintage mountain bike in excellent condition. They are not worth much by and large (a few are usu. from custom builders and some of the very early ones) but they make great riders. I'm a fan of vintage mountain bikes and own 3 of them.
05-01-16, 06:24 AM
#3
Still learning
Probably a 1993-1994 Alta. Frame is heavy as it is a big frame, typical lugless nukeproof construction. OEM spec below, mostly STX
1994 Mongoose Alta - BikePedia
Apparently on your nice score little is OEM, except for cranks, brakes(?) and seat post, but should work fine.
Enjoy.
I have a Mongoose Rockadile in the work queue and look forward to putting it into the vacation home fleet.
1994 Mongoose Alta - BikePedia
Apparently on your nice score little is OEM, except for cranks, brakes(?) and seat post, but should work fine.
Enjoy.
I have a Mongoose Rockadile in the work queue and look forward to putting it into the vacation home fleet.
Last edited by oddjob2; 05-01-16 at 06:27 AM.
05-01-16, 06:45 AM
#4
Senior Member
More like 86/88 IMHO. STX was that smoked chrome with modern looking logo stuff. Here's the 88 catalog, and even the saddle looks like stock equipment? As always ALL bearings should be cleaned out and repacked BEFORE riding it at all. Bearings will blow out quickly if ridden with old dried up grease, and even a few mile "test ride" can make you have to replace wheels, bottom bracket, etc. The headset is not quite as critical, but close. Don't be tempted to ride it until you do the necessary deeds
.,,,,BD
Scroll down through the Mangusta road bikes, the high end mountain offerings, and it's not far past that...
https://www.vintagemongoose.com/pdfs/mongoose_cat88.pdf
.,,,,BDScroll down through the Mangusta road bikes, the high end mountain offerings, and it's not far past that...
https://www.vintagemongoose.com/pdfs/mongoose_cat88.pdf
Last edited by Bikedued; 05-01-16 at 06:57 AM.
05-01-16, 07:38 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
More like 86/88 IMHO. STX was that smoked chrome with modern looking logo stuff. Here's the 88 catalog, and even the saddle looks like stock equipment? As always ALL bearings should be cleaned out and repacked BEFORE riding it at all. Bearings will blow out quickly if ridden with old dried up grease, and even a few mile "test ride" can make you have to replace wheels, bottom bracket, etc. The headset is not quite as critical, but close. Don't be tempted to ride it until you do the necessary deeds.,,,,BD
Scroll down through the Mangusta road bikes, the high end mountain offerings, and it's not far past that...
https://www.vintagemongoose.com/pdfs/mongoose_cat88.pdf
.,,,,BDScroll down through the Mangusta road bikes, the high end mountain offerings, and it's not far past that...
https://www.vintagemongoose.com/pdfs/mongoose_cat88.pdf
Was this one made before Mongoose sold out to walmart (pacific)?
05-01-16, 07:59 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,959
Bikes: Too many Bicycles to list
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 90 Post(s)
Liked 138 Times
in
45 Posts
Glenn
05-01-16, 08:41 AM
#7
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,426
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3946 Post(s)
Liked 4,949 Times
in
2,281 Posts
Does the suspension stem on the Miyata squeak? Have a Softride stem that had to go back in the box because I couldn't get it to stop squeaking.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
05-01-16, 09:35 AM
#8
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,668
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2612 Post(s)
Liked 1,733 Times
in
948 Posts
You have a 1988 Mongoose ATB with a CrMo frame and fork, Shimano 6 speed SIS derailleurs, DiaCompe brakes, sealed bearing Joytech hubs laced to Araya rims with a Viscount Terra B-1 saddle. It also has what appear to be Biopace chainrings, plastic pedals and a white front, and red rear reflector.
You have also somewhat recently mowed your lawn- and it's in really nice shape. I'd be a bit concerned about that small bare patch- but overall, your lawn is in MUCH better shape than ours. Additionally, you appear to have done some nice work in maintaining the planted areas of your yard. Again, much nicer than what I've maintained our yard.
Also, you, or someone you know has a blue sweatshirt.
As far as value- someone would pay money for the bike, the parts, the sweatshirt and your lawn care/gardening expertise.
You have also somewhat recently mowed your lawn- and it's in really nice shape. I'd be a bit concerned about that small bare patch- but overall, your lawn is in MUCH better shape than ours. Additionally, you appear to have done some nice work in maintaining the planted areas of your yard. Again, much nicer than what I've maintained our yard.
Also, you, or someone you know has a blue sweatshirt.
As far as value- someone would pay money for the bike, the parts, the sweatshirt and your lawn care/gardening expertise.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
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.
05-02-16, 06:15 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You have a 1988 Mongoose ATB with a CrMo frame and fork, Shimano 6 speed SIS derailleurs, DiaCompe brakes, sealed bearing Joytech hubs laced to Araya rims with a Viscount Terra B-1 saddle. It also has what appear to be Biopace chainrings, plastic pedals and a white front, and red rear reflector.
You have also somewhat recently mowed your lawn- and it's in really nice shape. I'd be a bit concerned about that small bare patch- but overall, your lawn is in MUCH better shape than ours. Additionally, you appear to have done some nice work in maintaining the planted areas of your yard. Again, much nicer than what I've maintained our yard.
Also, you, or someone you know has a blue sweatshirt.
As far as value- someone would pay money for the bike, the parts, the sweatshirt and your lawn care/gardening expertise.
You have also somewhat recently mowed your lawn- and it's in really nice shape. I'd be a bit concerned about that small bare patch- but overall, your lawn is in MUCH better shape than ours. Additionally, you appear to have done some nice work in maintaining the planted areas of your yard. Again, much nicer than what I've maintained our yard.
Also, you, or someone you know has a blue sweatshirt.
As far as value- someone would pay money for the bike, the parts, the sweatshirt and your lawn care/gardening expertise.
Thanks for the info, especially about the color of the reflectors....I always wondered about that!
The planted areas of the yard are my wife's bailiwick and I will convey to her your compliments. I will not mention the "small bare patch" to which you refer as it will become my duty to rectify if I do. My areas of concern are bikes, any non-bike mechanical or electrical issues (vacuum cleaner, blender, etc.), motor vehicle, and general home owner repairs as needed.....in that order.
As you can see by the attached photos, others have expressed their approval of the landscaping.
Moreover, thank you for your astute observations.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RobertCaster
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
7
06-30-19 01:07 AM
elmore leonard
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
5
09-14-16 06:47 PM
Hieberrr
Commuting
0
03-24-13 10:11 AM
