Show us your vintage mountain bikes!
10-06-23, 01:31 PM
#8751
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Picked up this freebie today. I'm not familiar with the brand nor is there much out there on the internet. FB page that's dead, article on Pinkbike from the early 2000's when the company was sold. All I know is it was a small manufacturer based in San Luis Obispo and this is a model before the company was sold. I'm thinking late 90's-early 2000's.If any of you more knowledgeable people out there can share anything, it will be greatly appreciated. This is a keeper and a rebuild and ride in the future.:
IMG_4569 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4572 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4570 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4571 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4574 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4573 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4576 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4575 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4569 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4572 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4570 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4571 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4574 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4573 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4576 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4575 by 2cam16, on Flickr
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10-06-23, 02:40 PM
#8752
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,967
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
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Picked up this freebie today. I'm not familiar with the brand nor is there much out there on the internet. FB page that's dead, article on Pinkbike from the early 2000's when the company was sold. All I know is it was a small manufacturer based in San Luis Obispo and this is a model before the company was sold. I'm thinking late 90's-early 2000's.If any of you more knowledgeable people out there can share anything, it will be greatly appreciated. This is a keeper and a rebuild and ride in the future.:
IMG_4569 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4572 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4570 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4571 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4574 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4573 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4576 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4575 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4569 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4572 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4570 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4571 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4574 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4573 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4576 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4575 by 2cam16, on Flickr
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10-06-23, 04:37 PM
#8753
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,663
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
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10-06-23, 06:46 PM
#8754
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Mateo,Ca.
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Bikes: TRIMMED DOWN THE HERD
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10-06-23, 09:14 PM
#8755
Henderson, NV
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Henderson/Las Vegas NV
Posts: 533
Bikes: Trek Alpha 3700, GT STS DH, Raleigh Grand Prix, Fisher Montare, Fisher CR-7, Fisher Aquila, Diamondback Sorrento, The Bike Beat Revolution, KHS XC 504R
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Picked up this freebie today. I'm not familiar with the brand nor is there much out there on the internet. FB page that's dead, article on Pinkbike from the early 2000's when the company was sold. All I know is it was a small manufacturer based in San Luis Obispo and this is a model before the company was sold. I'm thinking late 90's-early 2000's.If any of you more knowledgeable people out there can share anything, it will be greatly appreciated. This is a keeper and a rebuild and ride in the future.:
IMG_4569 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4572 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4570 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4571 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4574 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4573 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4576 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4575 by 2cam16, on Flickr
IMG_4569 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4572 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4570 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4571 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4574 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4573 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4576 by 2cam16, on FlickrIMG_4575 by 2cam16, on Flickr
WOW!!!
Super envious!!
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10-07-23, 02:26 PM
#8757
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,305
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
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This one has been on the back burner, frame is too short for me, but long with that neck. Soon to be featured in the https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...d-game-85.html
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10-07-23, 03:40 PM
#8758
Senior Member
10-07-23, 05:24 PM
#8759
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Mateo,Ca.
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10-23-23, 05:57 AM
#8761
Newbie
This past weekend, I picked up a 1989 Giant Sierra.
Given that everything is fully functional, I don't want to make major changes to this bike, other than two upgrades: fenders and maybe bar ends. Any recommendations?
Also, I've read generally negative assessments of U-brakes. I don't plan on getting stuck in mud, but anything else I need to pay attention to?
Given that everything is fully functional, I don't want to make major changes to this bike, other than two upgrades: fenders and maybe bar ends. Any recommendations?
Also, I've read generally negative assessments of U-brakes. I don't plan on getting stuck in mud, but anything else I need to pay attention to?
Last edited by swissycle; 01-14-24 at 03:30 AM.
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10-23-23, 06:42 AM
#8762
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
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Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1971 Gitane Apache Standard, 1999 Specialized Hard Rock
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Nice find swisscycle, does like near new. That rear brake is definitely unique and never seen anything like it before so couldn't really advise on how to replace that. The V brakes on both my mountain bikes work great and are dead simple. Lots of fender choices out there so it's really a matter of what look you want and your budget. The things I would replace are those pedals and the seat. I'm sure you can find a saddle way more comfortable than that and those pedals are great for shredding the calves 
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10-23-23, 07:48 AM
#8763
Newbie
Nice find swisscycle, does like near new. That rear brake is definitely unique and never seen anything like it before so couldn't really advise on how to replace that. The V brakes on both my mountain bikes work great and are dead simple. Lots of fender choices out there so it's really a matter of what look you want and your budget. The things I would replace are those pedals and the seat. I'm sure you can find a saddle way more comfortable than that and those pedals are great for shredding the calves
Last edited by swissycle; 11-08-23 at 12:29 AM.
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10-23-23, 03:52 PM
#8764
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Actually it's the chain-stay (not seat-stay) mounted U-brakes (like yours) that are vulnerable to mud. But that's based on the location, not the brake design. They're no harder to adjust than cantilevers. So if the bike isn't likely to see mud, there's no cause for concern.
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10-23-23, 08:18 PM
#8765
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,696
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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@swissycle, I mentioned some upgrades in the other thread. As for brakes, get some KoolStop pads and call it good.
10-24-23, 10:50 AM
#8766
Junior Member
Earlier this spring a Trek 970 was listed but the asking price was $500, in a city like Toronto it would probably fetch that price but not here; and I wasn't interested in paying it. I forgot it was on my watch list when I was notified the seller lowered the price, so after some negotiating, I bought it for $200. I think that was still a bit much but I doubt I'll ever find a 1990 Trek 970 with a 22" frame in such good condition again, it's not like they're still making them! The bike was in pretty great overall condition, ignore the mess in the workshop its always in a state of disaster.
I stripped it down and plan to rebuild it over the winter, the only hiccup was the drive-side crankarm threads were stripped so I had to take the BB and arm out as a single unit. I'm debating a modern drive train build or back to a DX groupset for it. I'll need at least the following to rebuild it to original:
Nothing crazy but enough to see I could also use this opportunity to throw a Deore 10s groupset on for not a lot more money.
I stripped it down and plan to rebuild it over the winter, the only hiccup was the drive-side crankarm threads were stripped so I had to take the BB and arm out as a single unit. I'm debating a modern drive train build or back to a DX groupset for it. I'll need at least the following to rebuild it to original:
- Bottom bracket
- crankset
- 7-speed cassette
- Jockey wheels for the rear derailleur
- New grips
Nothing crazy but enough to see I could also use this opportunity to throw a Deore 10s groupset on for not a lot more money.
10-24-23, 10:13 PM
#8767
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,082
Bikes: '72 Peugeot PX-10 '78 Motobecane Le Champion '83 Motobecane Grand Jubile '85 Trek 830 '88 Merckx Team ADR Corsa Extra
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This is tempting.
1984 Ross Hi Tech Mt Hood 15 Speed Mountain Bike. Black/Silver/Gold, 23" c-t seat tube, 22 1/2" c-c seat tube, 22" c-c top tube, 32 1/2" stand- over height. Best for riders 5'10"- 6'1". Early lugged model, Ishiwata 024 light weight oversized chromoly tubing, lugged flat fork crown. Eyelets front and rear for racks/fenders. Mostly original. No crashes, dents, dings or issues. Original black paint has some scratches from use, but overall is pretty nice. Suntour AG Alpine wide range derailleurs with ratcheting Suntour thumb shifters, Dia Compe 980 cantilever brakes with 4 finger levers, Nitto Bullmoose handlebars, Ritchey "True Grip" grips, SR CR triple forged crankset, fluted SR alloy integrated seat post, leather Vetta saddle. Just given a full professional preservation/overhaul and conditioning and is ready to ride. Ross was an early innovator of mountain bikes and their Hi Tech line was comparable with other mid-high quality MTBs of the early to mid 80s. These bikes are great for many uses including:
1) Hipster desires
2) Bopping around with the kids (or towing them around)
3) Bikepacking/Camping Mule
4) City Bruiser
5) Winter Bike (generous tire and fender clearance)
Overall, a stylish beast that will make you happy. Feel free to ask any questions. Calls/texts preferred and I answer emails as well. Cash or Venmo. Keep in mind that older mountain bikes with horizontal top tubes fit 1-2" smaller than modern mountain bikes with sloping top tubes. If you ride a modern 20"-21" mountain bike with a sloping top tube, you will fit best on a 22"-23" horizontal top tube mountain bike. Thanks for looking!
1984 Ross Hi Tech Mt Hood Mountain Bike 23" - $280 (Saint Paul)
CL MN Ross Mt. Hood1984 Ross Hi Tech Mt Hood 15 Speed Mountain Bike. Black/Silver/Gold, 23" c-t seat tube, 22 1/2" c-c seat tube, 22" c-c top tube, 32 1/2" stand- over height. Best for riders 5'10"- 6'1". Early lugged model, Ishiwata 024 light weight oversized chromoly tubing, lugged flat fork crown. Eyelets front and rear for racks/fenders. Mostly original. No crashes, dents, dings or issues. Original black paint has some scratches from use, but overall is pretty nice. Suntour AG Alpine wide range derailleurs with ratcheting Suntour thumb shifters, Dia Compe 980 cantilever brakes with 4 finger levers, Nitto Bullmoose handlebars, Ritchey "True Grip" grips, SR CR triple forged crankset, fluted SR alloy integrated seat post, leather Vetta saddle. Just given a full professional preservation/overhaul and conditioning and is ready to ride. Ross was an early innovator of mountain bikes and their Hi Tech line was comparable with other mid-high quality MTBs of the early to mid 80s. These bikes are great for many uses including:
1) Hipster desires
2) Bopping around with the kids (or towing them around)
3) Bikepacking/Camping Mule
4) City Bruiser
5) Winter Bike (generous tire and fender clearance)
Overall, a stylish beast that will make you happy. Feel free to ask any questions. Calls/texts preferred and I answer emails as well. Cash or Venmo. Keep in mind that older mountain bikes with horizontal top tubes fit 1-2" smaller than modern mountain bikes with sloping top tubes. If you ride a modern 20"-21" mountain bike with a sloping top tube, you will fit best on a 22"-23" horizontal top tube mountain bike. Thanks for looking!
__________________
10-25-23, 05:39 AM
#8768
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,967
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
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Earlier this spring a Trek 970 was listed but the asking price was $500, in a city like Toronto it would probably fetch that price but not here; and I wasn't interested in paying it. I forgot it was on my watch list when I was notified the seller lowered the price, so after some negotiating, I bought it for $200. I think that was still a bit much but I doubt I'll ever find a 1990 Trek 970 with a 22" frame in such good condition again, it's not like they're still making them! The bike was in pretty great overall condition, ignore the mess in the workshop its always in a state of disaster.
I stripped it down and plan to rebuild it over the winter, the only hiccup was the drive-side crankarm threads were stripped so I had to take the BB and arm out as a single unit. I'm debating a modern drive train build or back to a DX groupset for it. I'll need at least the following to rebuild it to original:
Nothing crazy but enough to see I could also use this opportunity to throw a Deore 10s groupset on for not a lot more money.
I stripped it down and plan to rebuild it over the winter, the only hiccup was the drive-side crankarm threads were stripped so I had to take the BB and arm out as a single unit. I'm debating a modern drive train build or back to a DX groupset for it. I'll need at least the following to rebuild it to original:
- Bottom bracket
- crankset
- 7-speed cassette
- Jockey wheels for the rear derailleur
- New grips
Nothing crazy but enough to see I could also use this opportunity to throw a Deore 10s groupset on for not a lot more money.
Go with deore xt 780 t or xt 773m 10 speeds tranmission, they are reliable and durable transmissions
10-25-23, 06:31 AM
#8769
Junior Member
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10-25-23, 03:31 PM
#8770
Full Member
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Dickinson, ND
Posts: 211
Bikes: 2022 Ibis Ripmo AF, 2022 Cannondale Synapse, 2022 Ritchey Outback, 197(?) Manufrance Touring
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Here's a really nice 1991 Rockhopper Comp I picked up over the summer from the original owner. Very much like my first mountain bike I bought new, a 1989 Rockhopper Comp. I still have the frame and some of the parts for the '89 and am thinking about restoring it, but thought it would be fun to have something similar to ride in the meantime.
As far as I can tell the 'new' '91 is to catalogue spec even down to the original tires, so hasn't had much use over the years. One of the few vintage mountain bikes I've seen that doesn't have any chips from chain slap on the DS chainstay. That, along with the braking surface on the rims remaining black is another indication the bike rarely, if ever, went off-road and was probably just ridden around town. All the drivetrain components look virtually new, except the trigger shifters are sticky on both sides, probably from lack of use. I haven't really ridden it yet, but plan to get it ride-ready over the winter. Call me weird, but I'm excited to ride it with some modern clipless MTB pedals.
As far as I can tell the 'new' '91 is to catalogue spec even down to the original tires, so hasn't had much use over the years. One of the few vintage mountain bikes I've seen that doesn't have any chips from chain slap on the DS chainstay. That, along with the braking surface on the rims remaining black is another indication the bike rarely, if ever, went off-road and was probably just ridden around town. All the drivetrain components look virtually new, except the trigger shifters are sticky on both sides, probably from lack of use. I haven't really ridden it yet, but plan to get it ride-ready over the winter. Call me weird, but I'm excited to ride it with some modern clipless MTB pedals.
10-25-23, 05:01 PM
#8771
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,226
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1971 Gitane Apache Standard, 1999 Specialized Hard Rock
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Sedgemop, definitely a nice find and awesome paint splattered finish but not worth $500 so good to bargain him down. Look forward to seeing what you do with it over the winter. Will you keep those tires and go with something thinner?
Maxey, wow that looks like it was bought, went for a test ride and then never ridden again ha ha. Great find. I picked up a Peugeot Mtn. bike a few years ago that was in similar condition though nowhere near the same quality as that bike.
Maxey, wow that looks like it was bought, went for a test ride and then never ridden again ha ha. Great find. I picked up a Peugeot Mtn. bike a few years ago that was in similar condition though nowhere near the same quality as that bike.
11-01-23, 02:15 PM
#8772
Senior Member
Here's a really nice 1991 Rockhopper Comp I picked up over the summer from the original owner. Very much like my first mountain bike I bought new, a 1989 Rockhopper Comp. I still have the frame and some of the parts for the '89 and am thinking about restoring it, but thought it would be fun to have something similar to ride in the meantime.
As far as I can tell the 'new' '91 is to catalogue spec even down to the original tires, so hasn't had much use over the years. One of the few vintage mountain bikes I've seen that doesn't have any chips from chain slap on the DS chainstay. That, along with the braking surface on the rims remaining black is another indication the bike rarely, if ever, went off-road and was probably just ridden around town. All the drivetrain components look virtually new, except the trigger shifters are sticky on both sides, probably from lack of use. I haven't really ridden it yet, but plan to get it ride-ready over the winter. Call me weird, but I'm excited to ride it with some modern clipless MTB pedals.
As far as I can tell the 'new' '91 is to catalogue spec even down to the original tires, so hasn't had much use over the years. One of the few vintage mountain bikes I've seen that doesn't have any chips from chain slap on the DS chainstay. That, along with the braking surface on the rims remaining black is another indication the bike rarely, if ever, went off-road and was probably just ridden around town. All the drivetrain components look virtually new, except the trigger shifters are sticky on both sides, probably from lack of use. I haven't really ridden it yet, but plan to get it ride-ready over the winter. Call me weird, but I'm excited to ride it with some modern clipless MTB pedals.
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11-02-23, 06:46 AM
#8773
Full Member
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Dickinson, ND
Posts: 211
Bikes: 2022 Ibis Ripmo AF, 2022 Cannondale Synapse, 2022 Ritchey Outback, 197(?) Manufrance Touring
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Thanks, smokinapankake. Yep, I've already watched a video where the guy took the cover off the shifters and got some lube in there to make them functional again. I'll see how I get along with them before I try retrofitting thumb shifters as I'm used to trigger type shifters on my modern MTB.
11-02-23, 07:12 AM
#8774
Junior Member
Thanks, smokinapankake. Yep, I've already watched a video where the guy took the cover off the shifters and got some lube in there to make them functional again. I'll see how I get along with them before I try retrofitting thumb shifters as I'm used to trigger type shifters on my modern MTB.
I think it was RJ the Bike Guy that recommended rotating the shifter (or bars) so the gear indicator window was "up" before flooding with WD so the window area wouldn't get filled with lube. I had stuck brifters on a mint Bianchi (with new bar tape) - I rotated the bars so the levers were down- not a drop on the tape.
11-02-23, 09:06 AM
#8775
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Salem Oregon
Posts: 1,030
Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite
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Reflex?
I just saw this bike on CL and was wondering if it'd be a good frame for a touring bike conversion.
