DorkDisk

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

brightsideofit 

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.

johnnyace 

My chrome 1983 Univega Alpina Uno:


Here's one I'd love to own: the Peugeot Crazy Horse:

fleslider 

1986 Fisher Montare


1988 GT Karakoram

brightsideofit 

Love the color matched bullmoose bars. How does it ride?

merziac

So going to jump back in here to point out that ALL catalogs, brochure's, spec sheets, ads, flipbooks, references, websites, smoke signals, bat signals and all else were, are and forever will be subject to change, stay the same, not stay the same and be inaccurate, perfectly accurate or otherwise then, now and for evermore.

Most of them had a disclaimer about subject to change, some did, some didn't, some were wrong and never changed, SOP.

fabiofarelli

My one and only mtb, Alan Carbonio, about 1990.

abellanti

Check the serial number. Right after the M is the year it was made-2 (82). The bike may have been sold in 83. Technically, Mombat has it listed incorrectly.

SDHawk

Scrolling through this old thread, was surprised to see these. I have the exact same GT and Stumpy M4... same colors and everything. Both bought in 2021.

I have an Ironhorse Sonic instead of a Marin, so just missed a complete match .

Inusuit

1987 Diamondback Ascent.

2cam16

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.

clubman 

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.

capnjonny 

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.

cyccommute 

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.

SDHawk

Interesting info, thanks. What do you think about the Schwinn Mesa Runner? I know it's more hybrid than MTB, but there's a v clean 1987 model near me for $75.

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.

madpogue 

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.

OutnBack

Every time I ride this patinaed 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner it puts a smile on my face.

Dylansbob 

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.

fliplap

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

Dylansbob 

That looks great.

I ended up with 3 of those one summer. I just kept finding them for $5-10 at garage sales that spring. Believe it or not, I could not give those bikes away. If I'd done one up with drops like that, I probably could get $300 today.

C0UG4R

I currently ride a 1995(?) Park Pre 825. It's been a great rider. Maybe some knobbier tires but its an amazing bike.

Bianchi84

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.

victorm

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.

orbeamike

Turned this throw away into a drop bar gravel, it's a blast to ride.

orbeamike

This has been my go to gravel bike.