Curious about proto mountain bikes
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Curious about proto mountain bikes
Casually looking around at discussions of the early history of mountain bikes, and there are mentions of modified cruisers from the 1930's-1950's being used as proto mountain bikes prior to the development of dedicated frames. Does anyone have any good pictures of these early bikes?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,084
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
https://www.clunkers.net/
Alan Bonds was one of the first to make $$ by converting balloon bikes into trail-worthy bombers, klunkers, and hybrids. That's his site.
Alan Bonds was one of the first to make $$ by converting balloon bikes into trail-worthy bombers, klunkers, and hybrids. That's his site.
#3
Senior Member
There was a documentary by an Englishman who went around the world looking for specific parts to a custom bike who met with those guys and had a whole segment dedicated to that point in cycling history. It was on YouTube, but I can't find it.
M.
M.
#6
Senior Member
MOMBAT has a few on their site too: https://mombat.org/MOMBAT/bike_list.html
It's also interesting to note the mix of the same parts on the first purpose built mountain bikes.
It's also interesting to note the mix of the same parts on the first purpose built mountain bikes.
#7
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,856
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12781 Post(s)
Liked 7,696 Times
in
4,085 Posts
Another interesting one from up this way
https://mtbprehistory.blogspot.com/
https://mtbprehistory.blogspot.com/
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RTP Area, NC
Posts: 338
Bikes: Somebody stole them all... I walk now.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Charlie Kelly's site - Him, Fisher and Ritchey started the industry.
https://www.sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm
https://www.sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm
#9
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 424 Times
in
283 Posts
Curious who coined the name 'mountain bike'. There were a few bikes converted just for the purpose way back. This 1958 / 59 JC Higgins is an example. Read it was converted in 1967 (see second image.)
#12
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 424 Times
in
283 Posts
Funny to think NORBA goes back to 1983 and Repack. The trend must have been rolling good in such a short time.
Not exactly sure what year it was (early 80's?) but a friend of mine had a 'hot' setup... some yellow ally frame Cannondale with a 24" rear wheel and oddly a 26" on the front, plain steel bladed fork. Rear roller cam brakes on the chainstay. I was only curious of the ATB and do recall they were fairly expensive.
Not exactly sure what year it was (early 80's?) but a friend of mine had a 'hot' setup... some yellow ally frame Cannondale with a 24" rear wheel and oddly a 26" on the front, plain steel bladed fork. Rear roller cam brakes on the chainstay. I was only curious of the ATB and do recall they were fairly expensive.
#13
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,649
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,703 Times
in
937 Posts
It's a really neat subject- totally interesting to read about. It's also interesting that Charlie Kelly often posts stuff on the MTBR forums.
I got going on those links posted above- I find it fascinating.
When I started getting into bicycling, I thought I liked the idea of mountain bikes repurposed for general riding. In effect, the "gravel grinder" concept, sort of. Since then I've really kind of realized that touring bikes are that wonderful intersection of the elegance of a road bike and the brutishness of a mountain bike. My *someday* dream bike is a VERY Tom Ritchey inspired touring bike- fillet brazed, biplane forked tastefully componented bike.
I got going on those links posted above- I find it fascinating.
When I started getting into bicycling, I thought I liked the idea of mountain bikes repurposed for general riding. In effect, the "gravel grinder" concept, sort of. Since then I've really kind of realized that touring bikes are that wonderful intersection of the elegance of a road bike and the brutishness of a mountain bike. My *someday* dream bike is a VERY Tom Ritchey inspired touring bike- fillet brazed, biplane forked tastefully componented bike.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#14
Senior Member
Early Mtn. bikes are my passion. I will not jump into who coined the phrase Mountain bike or even who produced the first Mtn. bike. Way too many variables. It really comes down to the first bicycles ever created. That said no doubt something happened in N. Ca. during the mid late 70's to early 80's that turned the bicycle industry upside down.
The Allan Bonds thread above is a great starting point. Most of my bikes have been on these pages before but here are a few that are specific to the era you ask about.
Transitional bikes Late 70's (41 DX has some modern parts):
Early 80's offering. Still a mishmash of Road, BMX, and motorcycle parts. The first Mtn. bike specific group set wouldn't be available until the 1983 production models:
The Allan Bonds thread above is a great starting point. Most of my bikes have been on these pages before but here are a few that are specific to the era you ask about.
Transitional bikes Late 70's (41 DX has some modern parts):
Early 80's offering. Still a mishmash of Road, BMX, and motorcycle parts. The first Mtn. bike specific group set wouldn't be available until the 1983 production models:
#15
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 424 Times
in
283 Posts
Of interest a link to Q&A - Tom Ritchey
https://www.xo-1.org/2011/01/tom-ritc...own-words.html
https://www.xo-1.org/2011/01/tom-ritc...own-words.html
#16
Abuse Magnet
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,870
Bikes: '91 Mtn Tek Vertical, '74 Raleigh Sports, '72 Raleigh Twenty, '84 Univega Gran Turismo, '09 Surly Karate Monkey, '92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, '86 Miyata 310, '76 Raleigh Shopper
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 175 Times
in
89 Posts
It's probably way out of your way, but there's an interesting mountain bike museum in Crested Butte, CO.
#17
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
This is a pic of some of the finishers of the First Annual Whiskeytown Downhill race, held in Mt Shasta, Ca. in 1981. I'm on the far left, on a two speed kick-down cruiser. I remember there being a lot of buzz about "that guy", someone who had been much more serious about it than the rest. He had what looked like a ten speed frame, decked out with fat tires and gears, and, I believe, won the race. By the time I had finished and we had this picture taken, he was probably long gone.
At that time, in Northern California, there were many back yard shops building these kinds of bikes for their own use. The guy who built the bike I was riding is on the far right with a somewhat nicer bike than the one that was left over for me. No one that I knew was calling them mountain bikes at that time.
#18
Senior Member
Awesome picture!
Jimmy Deaton. 1981 WTD. Went on to be quite a rider.
In nearby Chico By fall 1981 Jeff Lindsay was offering up this:
https://mombat.org/1981Goat2.jpg
Also this ^ is the set of handlebars I seek in my signature below (anybody).
Jimmy Deaton. 1981 WTD. Went on to be quite a rider.
In nearby Chico By fall 1981 Jeff Lindsay was offering up this:
https://mombat.org/1981Goat2.jpg
Also this ^ is the set of handlebars I seek in my signature below (anybody).
Last edited by Aemmer; 02-02-14 at 05:12 PM.
#20
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 424 Times
in
283 Posts
^^^ Great looking rides!
Curious of the first Euro purpose built mountain bikes.
Here's a Ghidini fully dressed Campagnola Euclid
<a href="https://s606.photobucket.com/user/ghi...3c02b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...psac03c02b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130701_111042_zpsac03c02b.jpg"/></a>
Curious of the first Euro purpose built mountain bikes.
Here's a Ghidini fully dressed Campagnola Euclid
<a href="https://s606.photobucket.com/user/ghi...3c02b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...psac03c02b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20130701_111042_zpsac03c02b.jpg"/></a>
Last edited by crank_addict; 02-02-14 at 10:02 PM.
#22
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,843
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 712 Times
in
380 Posts
And the author's name pointed me to the video:
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#23
Senior Member
Here's the book: https://www.amazon.com/Its-All-About-.../dp/1608195759
And the author's name pointed me to the video:
And the author's name pointed me to the video:
M.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,529
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1508 Post(s)
Liked 3,480 Times
in
1,133 Posts
https://mtnbikehalloffame.com/
Brent
#25
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 424 Times
in
283 Posts
Interesting article circa 1930... without fenders that bike could qualify as the first purpose made mountain bike.
https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/...7422ab5b_b.jpg
https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/...7422ab5b_b.jpg
Last edited by crank_addict; 02-05-14 at 05:18 PM.