Early Fisher MountainBikes, Ritchey vs Teesdales?
#126
I'm sure the information is found in this thread but in short, Fisher MountainBikes were produced from 1984 to 1990 after that the Company was sold. During that period US hand-made frames (this might be what you are asking) were the Everest (1984-5?), Competition (1984-8), and the MT Tam (1984-9). I am not sure about Tandems but the 1989 Gemini was hand-made. The 1990 Titanium Prometheus tubing was hand-made by Sandvik, I don't know about the frame but imagine hand-made in the USA (maybe Merlin?). Someone else can tell you after 1990 better than me.
Before 1984, Fisher was with Tom Ritchey and Charles Kelly in the Company MountainBikes (1979-1982) and then in 1983 with Charles Kelly in K & F MountainBikes. During those two periods all bikes were hand-made in the US.
I am unsure if Taiwan-made frames were hand-made or if they were completely "robot"-made. But I can imagine there was some hand made work done in those as well.
Before 1984, Fisher was with Tom Ritchey and Charles Kelly in the Company MountainBikes (1979-1982) and then in 1983 with Charles Kelly in K & F MountainBikes. During those two periods all bikes were hand-made in the US.
I am unsure if Taiwan-made frames were hand-made or if they were completely "robot"-made. But I can imagine there was some hand made work done in those as well.
#128
Yes, before '85 and after '88 MT Tams were made with cantilevers...perhaps special orders in between. If you mean exclusively TET stamped MT Tams then only '89, although most '84s were also made by TET.
Last edited by Santuri32; 04-07-22 at 07:23 AM. Reason: addition
#129
I'll let you all know if I can persuade this my way 🤞
#130
#131
Good news, this arrived in the post today
And ..... It has never been built up, the frame is a really deep metallic liquorice colour and the dropouts have never had a wheel in them, the bottom bracket shell is clean as new
The forks are still in primer
It's just covered in dust and scratches like it's been sat in a stockroom since the late 80s
So there you go, 19T452
Any ideas on what the proper colour should be for this year?
And ..... It has never been built up, the frame is a really deep metallic liquorice colour and the dropouts have never had a wheel in them, the bottom bracket shell is clean as new
The forks are still in primer
It's just covered in dust and scratches like it's been sat in a stockroom since the late 80s
So there you go, 19T452
Any ideas on what the proper colour should be for this year?
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#132
Good news, this arrived in the post today
And ..... It has never been built up, the frame is a really deep metallic liquorice colour and the dropouts have never had a wheel in them, the bottom bracket shell is clean as new
The forks are still in primer
It's just covered in dust and scratches like it's been sat in a stockroom since the late 80s
So there you go, 19T452
Any ideas on what the proper colour should be for this year?
And ..... It has never been built up, the frame is a really deep metallic liquorice colour and the dropouts have never had a wheel in them, the bottom bracket shell is clean as new
The forks are still in primer
It's just covered in dust and scratches like it's been sat in a stockroom since the late 80s
So there you go, 19T452
Any ideas on what the proper colour should be for this year?
Now two Tams were offered in 1989 is your the Classic or the new with the Evolution tubing and geometry?
Last edited by Santuri32; 04-22-22 at 08:24 AM. Reason: fixed typo
#134
Colour wise I like the colour but it is quite badly scratched/marked in areas, and the fork needs colour, I'm open to patina/originality but this peeor thing hasn't even begun life as a bike yet...... Plus I have two blue bikes already 😬
#135
I assume the evolution was a larger headtube?, This has an inch steerer (I don't do 1-1/8") and takes a 28.6mm front derailleur, luckily so many parts are available in the shed for that period 👍
Colour wise I like the colour but it is quite badly scratched/marked in areas, and the fork needs colour, I'm open to patina/originality but this peeor thing hasn't even begun life as a bike yet...... Plus I have two blue bikes already 😬
Colour wise I like the colour but it is quite badly scratched/marked in areas, and the fork needs colour, I'm open to patina/originality but this peeor thing hasn't even begun life as a bike yet...... Plus I have two blue bikes already 😬
It seems you like blue... The only issue maybe removing the IMRON paint that may be on that bike and the reason why there are no markings on the dropouts from the wheels, IMROM is very expensive to re-apply (maybe over $300, I'm not sure). I've hear it can be more difficult to remove than other paints. It may even not be IMRON.
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#136
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Good news, this arrived in the post today
And ..... It has never been built up, the frame is a really deep metallic liquorice colour and the dropouts have never had a wheel in them, the bottom bracket shell is clean as new
The forks are still in primer
It's just covered in dust and scratches like it's been sat in a stockroom since the late 80s
So there you go, 19T452
Any ideas on what the proper colour should be for this year?
And ..... It has never been built up, the frame is a really deep metallic liquorice colour and the dropouts have never had a wheel in them, the bottom bracket shell is clean as new
The forks are still in primer
It's just covered in dust and scratches like it's been sat in a stockroom since the late 80s
So there you go, 19T452
Any ideas on what the proper colour should be for this year?
Carefully scrub, rub out bad spots, polish and touchup as needed.
Paint the fork white, black, silver or have it matched and carry on.
No way in heck I would paint it.
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#137
WV is not flat..
Grabbed a 1986 Montare today. Pretty cool mix of parts, but wish these came with the Deerhead RD instead of the Light Action. Everything looks original except tires. Should be a fun build.
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#138
I have a Black 18" Tam with rear canti treatment -- and have always been mystified by the non-standard TY in the serial number. It has the standard 1" headtube and non OS tubing (but no Prestige decal), so it wouldn't be the Mt. Tam OS as advertised in the 1989 catalog. It came to me with an unworthy Manitou shock absorber and a-headset/stem. The parts kit is not a total XT package. It wears a forged Sugino XP Superlight crank and DX brake levers with silver Araya RM-395 Team/400 Pro hoops on XT-7 hubs. My 1989 Catalog is a pre-season version and may not be updated for actual production specs. There were no Fishers in that catalog with those wheels and I remember those hoops being more of a 1990 thing anyway. It is beautifully brazed and finished as all of the fillet Fishers were by 1989. (I have a 1984 Tam with the same size and font stampers as 18TY14 that is frankly pretty sloppily brazed). Those keeping track will be glad to know that it has the standard late model seat-stay treatment and a beveled/scalloped seat collar and stars reinforcing the bottle cage mounts. Most notably for this conversation, it's serial number stamper font and size appears to be identical to FHAAS's 19TY11 example. Small serif on the 1, but no serifs on the T as found on Mr. Teesdale's larger stampers. I have tried the usual channels through my TREK connections to decode the TY, but that once reliable connection between the sales reps and Mr. Fisher has evidently dried up. So, using my own rapidly shrinking brain, I must guess. Could it be a Youth geometry? It doesn't look short or have any other small frame geometry characteristics. It has 26" wheels. Was there a Tam frame builder in 89 whose name began with Y (Jeff LYon?)? I have a late '80s red fillet brazed fork of unknown origin that I will install when/if this project (18TY14) comes up in que this winter. I will report back on how long it takes the Red WCS Z-Max rear tire to disintegrate.
#139
I have a Black 18" Tam with rear canti treatment -- and have always been mystified by the non-standard TY in the serial number. It has the standard 1" headtube and non OS tubing (but no Prestige decal), so it wouldn't be the Mt. Tam OS as advertised in the 1989 catalog. It came to me with an unworthy Manitou shock absorber and a-headset/stem. The parts kit is not a total XT package. It wears a forged Sugino XP Superlight crank and DX brake levers with silver Araya RM-395 Team/400 Pro hoops on XT-7 hubs. My 1989 Catalog is a pre-season version and may not be updated for actual production specs. There were no Fishers in that catalog with those wheels and I remember those hoops being more of a 1990 thing anyway. It is beautifully brazed and finished as all of the fillet Fishers were by 1989. (I have a 1984 Tam with the same size and font stampers as 18TY14 that is frankly pretty sloppily brazed). Those keeping track will be glad to know that it has the standard late model seat-stay treatment and a beveled/scalloped seat collar and stars reinforcing the bottle cage mounts. Most notably for this conversation, it's serial number stamper font and size appears to be identical to FHAAS's 19TY11 example. Small serif on the 1, but no serifs on the T as found on Mr. Teesdale's larger stampers. I have tried the usual channels through my TREK connections to decode the TY, but that once reliable connection between the sales reps and Mr. Fisher has evidently dried up. So, using my own rapidly shrinking brain, I must guess. Could it be a Youth geometry? It doesn't look short or have any other small frame geometry characteristics. It has 26" wheels. Was there a Tam frame builder in 89 whose name began with Y (Jeff LYon?)? I have a late '80s red fillet brazed fork of unknown origin that I will install when/if this project (18TY14) comes up in que this winter. I will report back on how long it takes the Red WCS Z-Max rear tire to disintegrate.
Thanks for the data on your mystery TY which still remains a mystery...look forward to see your build. One note is that I believe they would have tried to market a youth or young geometry, my two cents...
Best
#140
A small detail, on rollercam bikes, we used silver rod and brazed on a cable guide to the RH boss to run the cable through for the rear derailleur. Same braze-on we used for the cable guides on the bottom of the BB shells. We used brass to do this and it was tricky to do, then switched to silver when we had more of it in house after we started sweating in the studs in the fork steering tubes for bull moose clamps and clamp on stems. Later on I vaguely remember drilling a hole in the stud instead of installing that guide.
Frank Haas, White Salmon, WA
Frank Haas, White Salmon, WA
#141
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I'm pretty sure this is an 86 Fisher Montare XT equipped.
Need to replace a spoke and true the rear wheel. Waiting on tires. Hoping to possibly find a set of Bullmoose handlebars. Removed the rear rack.
Need to replace a spoke and true the rear wheel. Waiting on tires. Hoping to possibly find a set of Bullmoose handlebars. Removed the rear rack.
#142
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Thanks to everyone who has contributed to make this thread so great.
I'm trying to identify the builder of a particular bike. The serial is 20T21, so this would make it a 20", Mt Tam, #21. I'm guessing it's an '85, and it has the star water bottle bosses, both on the down tube, with roller cam, and fastback seat clamp. Must be a Teesdale I think?
Can anyone confirm my deductions? Cheers, Quentin
I'm trying to identify the builder of a particular bike. The serial is 20T21, so this would make it a 20", Mt Tam, #21. I'm guessing it's an '85, and it has the star water bottle bosses, both on the down tube, with roller cam, and fastback seat clamp. Must be a Teesdale I think?
Can anyone confirm my deductions? Cheers, Quentin
#143
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to make this thread so great.
I'm trying to identify the builder of a particular bike. The serial is 20T21, so this would make it a 20", Mt Tam, #21. I'm guessing it's an '85, and it has the star water bottle bosses, both on the down tube, with roller cam, and fastback seat clamp. Must be a Teesdale I think?
Can anyone confirm my deductions? Cheers, Quentin
I'm trying to identify the builder of a particular bike. The serial is 20T21, so this would make it a 20", Mt Tam, #21. I'm guessing it's an '85, and it has the star water bottle bosses, both on the down tube, with roller cam, and fastback seat clamp. Must be a Teesdale I think?
Can anyone confirm my deductions? Cheers, Quentin
#144
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Fisher's Indian Summer Sale
Markeologist, I too would like to take you up on your offer to check Fisher MountainBikes serial numbers. I just signed up on this forum after 36 years owning an early Mt Tam. No photos right now, sorry. It's numbered 18T4 with no evidence of a TT or TET stamp. Could you tell me if it was on the sale list for the Indian Summer Sale? Thanks!
#145
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Thanks to everyone who has contributed to make this thread so great.
I'm trying to identify the builder of a particular bike. The serial is 20T21, so this would make it a 20", Mt Tam, #21. I'm guessing it's an '85, and it has the star water bottle bosses, both on the down tube, with roller cam, and fastback seat clamp. Must be a Teesdale I think?
Can anyone confirm my deductions? Cheers, Quentin
I'm trying to identify the builder of a particular bike. The serial is 20T21, so this would make it a 20", Mt Tam, #21. I'm guessing it's an '85, and it has the star water bottle bosses, both on the down tube, with roller cam, and fastback seat clamp. Must be a Teesdale I think?
Can anyone confirm my deductions? Cheers, Quentin
20T21 was for sale as a complete bike at Fisher’s Indian Summer Sale that was held in fall of 1985. Listed as a 1985 model, with size identified as 20.5. Original color was “Pewter” and was equipped with the “250” bars (steel, 253s were aluminum) and silver RM-25 rims. List price of $1205 with sale pice of $919. Complete bikes were built up with “Standard Parts.”
Last edited by Markeologist; 02-05-24 at 11:32 AM.
#146
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Bikes: Since new: 86 Rodriguez Tandem, wife's 87 Gitane Team Pro, 92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, 85 Fisher Comp, 88 Puch Pro, two 92 Bridgestone X0-1s; later: 66/67 Gitane Champion du Monde, 70 Gitane Super Corsa, 70 Carre, 87 Gitane Team Pro, 77/78 Ritchey Tandem
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Markeologist, I too would like to take you up on your offer to check Fisher MountainBikes serial numbers. I just signed up on this forum after 36 years owning an early Mt Tam. No photos right now, sorry. It's numbered 18T4 with no evidence of a TT or TET stamp. Could you tell me if it was on the sale list for the Indian Summer Sale? Thanks!
sorry, I don’t see 18T4 listed…there are several 18 inch Tams for sale including 18T: -24 (a complete bike); -5, -7, -12, -14, -15, -16, -17, -21, -22, and -29 (all as frame sets). I also see 16T4 and 19T4 (what color do you have in case these are typos?).
#147
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Photos please.
sorry, I don’t see 18T4 listed…there are several 18 inch Tams for sale including 18T: -24 (a complete bike); -5, -7, -12, -14, -15, -16, -17, -21, -22, and -29 (all as frame sets). I also see 16T4 and 19T4 (what color do you have in case these are typos?).
sorry, I don’t see 18T4 listed…there are several 18 inch Tams for sale including 18T: -24 (a complete bike); -5, -7, -12, -14, -15, -16, -17, -21, -22, and -29 (all as frame sets). I also see 16T4 and 19T4 (what color do you have in case these are typos?).
#148
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For the record, new Tam frames were $609, and were marked down to between $397 and $489 (low and high with many other prices in between). For comparison the two Comps went from $869 down to $695 and the Everests with standard paint went from $1010 down to $609-$639.
Last edited by Markeologist; 02-04-24 at 01:36 PM.
#149
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There is another thread on BF concerning CyclArt paint jobs. My 1985 Comp came from Fisher with CyclArt paint and I’ve seen both a Zebra- and a Tiger-striped Everests also with paint by CyclArt. Anybody else with an early US-built Fisher with CyclArt paint? Logo is on non-drive side chain stay. Also, my bike came with “NORBA” champion stripes on seat tube…anybody else have those?
#150
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Nope…so yours may have sold before the clearance sale…or was sitting in some shop elsewhere. Would think a 1985 bike given low number…head tube angle is easiest way to confirm…68 in 1985, 69.5 in 1986. Does your Tam have fastback seat stays?
For the record, new Tam frames were $609, and were marked down to between $397 and $489 (low and high with many other prices in between). For comparison the two Comps went from $869 down to $695 and the Everests with standard paint went from $1010 down to $609-$639.
For the record, new Tam frames were $609, and were marked down to between $397 and $489 (low and high with many other prices in between). For comparison the two Comps went from $869 down to $695 and the Everests with standard paint went from $1010 down to $609-$639.
Happy to know that it's most likely an early 1985 Mt Tam. Will check head tube angle and seat stays when next I see it.