PedalTraveler

I found this ad on craigslist, its within a reasonable distance from me, but I can't decide if it's worth checking out since old MTBs aren't my usual thing, the photos and details are lousy, and I'm not sure what I am dealing with. What's your opinion? If someone here checked it out or gets it I'd love to know if it is as early as it looks.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/bik/3637967207.html

seely

I've never seen a Gary Fisher with Bull Moose bars before, but I'm sure they existed. That to me would say early-mid-80's, and of vintage MTB's, I'd guess GF's are among the more collectible. Frame looks very small by my standards, but the bi-plane fork crown indicates a higher quality bike.

PedalTraveler

I was able to get ahold of the seller and hes says its a 21 inch frame, if so the photo is deceiving, but I'll take his word for it. I'm tempted to get it just cause it looks cool, but right now I'm too busy with my other projects for something that is way too big for me. If someone here would fit that and gets it I'd love to know how old it is, all the seller said when i asked the year is its real old.

frantik

the seller lists that as a "Gary Fisher /Bianchi" so it seems to me they may not know what the bike brand is

It's definitely early 80s.. reminds me of a stump jumper to be honest, but im not sure if they came in that color. The fact it's got reflectors suggests to me it was a production bike. Sincerely doubt it's "20 pounds" especially with the reflectors, kickstand and what look like modern bmx pedals

the price is high unless you're deep into collecting early mtbs.. even then it's probably high.. be nice to see better pics w/ drive side

balindamood

If it is a fisher, it is an older one. I have a late '82 Montare that looks similar, but cannot see enough detail on my phone. If it is a Fisher, he generally had "Mountain Bikes" or "Fisher" stamped across the top of the bullmoose bars. Prior to about 1987, only the Montare was TIG welded, the others were fillet brazed. 1986 was then of Bullmoose on Fishers, and this one looks to be 1984 or earlier (they moved to painted stems/bars around 85). Prior to 1983 or so, they were sold as "Mountain Bikes" rather than Fisher decals.

It is worth a look at $300 in my opinion. If it does not have the original deerhead Deore XT or Suntour XC drivetrain, itis worth half of that if it is a Fisher. If it has early to mid 80's parts that are not XC or XC, I would start to question if it is a Fisher at all.

balindamood

Also, if it we a Bianchi, it would be fully lugged. The mid to lower end Fishers had only a seat lug.

balindamood

Here is my original '82 Fisher Montare. Go to the photobucket album for more picture and you can use it for comparison.

frantik

i don't think it's 21" seat tube... i ride a 21" mtb and that is too small for me

i'd be interested to see better pics.. components look like stuff Ritchey or GF would spec on an early 80s bike (before XT became king), but that kickstand and reflectors really throw me off

wrk101

I never take a seller's word on sizing. Out of about 500 bikes bought, the sellers got size right less than 10 times. Often, not only are they off, they are WAY off. Its amazing to me sellers get it so wrong, as five seconds on google, and another five seconds with a tape measure, and they have it.

frantik

yep... most people don't know where to measure and even if they do measure the seat tube, how many people are measuring from the center of the BB axle to the center of the top tube?

azgreg

I recently bought a 23" Ross that the seller advertised at 31".

blilrat

Definitely early 80s. If it's fillet brazed (not likely with the kickstand and reflectors), it's worth more than what he's asking. Tig welded Montare - probably still around $200 if it doesn't need anything.

PedalTraveler

Very interesting, balindamood, that is a very cool old bike!

The reflectors and what appears to be updated brake levers and pedals on the one for sale didn't seem like a good sign to me, and when I asked the seller he said the price was absolutely non-negotiable that was it for me. If he was negotiable I would at least go look at it, but not as it is it's pretty far away and he didnt seem that motivated to sell it. Maybe someone else will have more luck with it than I.

realestvin7

Looks like a lot of other early 80's Japanese mtb's. People are asking stupid money for early Fishers right now.