Back before full suspension, or even front suspension..
09-15-18, 05:37 PM
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Back before full suspension, or even front suspension..
Got my old KHS back on the road a while back, and while its still a lot of fun it is definitely time for an upgrade. Looking forward to going full suspension, as right now, I am the suspension!
09-16-18, 07:01 AM
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09-16-18, 07:16 PM
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09-16-18, 07:17 PM
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Thanks for the tip!
09-17-18, 07:40 AM
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09-18-18, 06:40 AM
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Ah, those were the days.....
...when stems were as long as bars were narrow.
...when stems were as long as bars were narrow.
09-20-18, 10:42 AM
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09-20-18, 10:53 PM
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When I was younger not really, but I do notice it now a bit. Its still fun to ride, but I really need something with full suspension and fits me properly.
10-18-18, 10:16 PM
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Is there a "Vintage" section on this forum?
I saw the "before full suspension or even front suspension" and I have one of those mountain bikes! A 1984 Schwinn High Sierra in 'vanilla' color, with dark brown seat stays and chain stays. All original AND WORKING equipment except the seat has been changed. The front brake lever got broken off in a fall, so I hope to find a replacement. Still a nice bike! I'll add pics after cleaning it up and when the sun comes back up!
10-19-18, 07:56 AM
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I saw the "before full suspension or even front suspension" and I have one of those mountain bikes! A 1984 Schwinn High Sierra in 'vanilla' color, with dark brown seat stays and chain stays. All original AND WORKING equipment except the seat has been changed. The front brake lever got broken off in a fall, so I hope to find a replacement. Still a nice bike! I'll add pics after cleaning it up and when the sun comes back up!
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ain-bikes.html
10-28-18, 11:13 PM
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10-29-18, 12:51 AM
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Also, reflectors serve no purpose when mountain biking.
11-04-18, 06:46 PM
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My reflectors are still on even after mountain biking all over Alaska. Guess they stay on sometimes. But a few years went by without much use while I had 2 kids and got my Master's, did a dozen road triathlons and then got a new bike.
11-26-18, 12:45 AM
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Never had an issue with them coming off, I would not say I ride hard, but that bike did take a few beatings when I used to ride it in Arizona.
11-26-18, 12:30 PM
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That's a cool bike with a near perfect setup. Lots of bar drop like that helps facilitate your arms flexing as a suspension. Less drop causes trail vibrations to travel up your arms into your neck and shoulders which is extremely fatiguing. The low front end and long stem combined with smaller wheels makes climbing on a bike like this relatively pleasant, and it keeps weight on the front wheel during twisty descending switchbacks. The one drawback with these vintage bikes is you're forced to ride slower over rough sections and pick your line carefully, but the upside is it's less dangerous. You're not going fast enough to break your neck when you wreck. I hate modern mtbs with their high fronts and long top tubes. You might be disappointed with a newer suspended bike. These old bikes aren't good for racing but they provide more of a Zen experience.
Last edited by Clem von Jones; 11-26-18 at 01:03 PM.
12-04-18, 02:38 PM
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yellow is a fun color
12-16-18, 12:53 PM
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This is a ‘91 Fuji Professional. Tangle Prestige tubing. Didn’t have a front shock back in the day, I used an Softride suspension stem.
In 91 front shocks were just hitting the market and the older frames didn’t have the geometry for a front shock, thus as a retrofit, it handles slower than my FS Stumpjumper.
I stopped using it for a few years when the bushings on the stem went bad and Softride had no replacements. Then an LBS had this Judy with a 1” steerer for $50. I then rebuilt it with 9 spd XT parts I had from an old ProFlex, now I use it about every other ride, it’s likely 4-5 lbs lighter then my FS Stumpjumper.
Its been a good bike 27 years later, had Suntour XC Pro components, the crank I still use on my Miyata Tourer.
Last edited by Steve B.; 12-16-18 at 12:56 PM.
12-18-18, 12:46 AM
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Wow, so great to hear feedback! The KHS is fun, and it is very agile. Before I owned it I had an older relic that was stolen (hence my purchase of the KHS) a Giant Iguana, man that beast was heavy! It steered slower but was more steady in the turns and took much abuse before it was lifted by some evil doer. Anyhow, I have a test ride scheduled at the Santa Cruz factory next month. I will be testing a 5010 and a Bronson. I am thinking I will like the 5010 better as it will hopefully remind me of my KHS, only with suspension and more modern. I will be keeping my old KHS however, as its a part of me. It got me through the last two years of college and all of the desert trails I hit in Tucson and Phoenix. It will always be in my garage, whether it is being used or not. Thank you for your comments, I enjoyed reading them!
Jon
Jon
12-18-18, 03:17 PM
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