Old School For Life!

[gungywump]

The way the discussion was headed with bar ends got me to thinking about Old School Stuff.
What was your first mountain bike:Model, Brand, Year, Equipment and what other stuff do you remember from "The Good Old Days"?

My first mountain bike was a Fisher Montare back in 1987. It had:
Original Deore XT derailers and Cranks
A Doug Bradbury roller cam rear brake mounted under the chainstays.
Friction shifters
A Hieght Right spring on the seatpost
Big motorcycle sized Dia Compe Levers
Bullmoose Handlebars
Fisher Fattrax Tire 2.125(Still the best tire I have ever had Tioga DH tires are similar)
Grab On foam grips
Advocet Leather Saddle.
Araya RM20 Rims

In fact I still have a Fisher Procaliber from 1989 in my basement.
All Original!
When Fisher's were made by Gary Fisher and not just called Gary Fisher's!!
Remember Scott Shock's and Rock Shock Mag 20's I've got them both! I've got a big box filled with old school ****.

[turch]

How about a lugged Trek 970 complete with a pepperoni fork. Lemme see. Bullmoose bar/quill stem combo, push/push rapidfires (lasted all of about 2 months). Upgraded the bar to the Scott Brahmas before getting turned onto Answer Taperlites. Oh, and for some reason the wheelset was bizzare with Mavic 531 (I think) hubs with a 7pd freewheel (but man these things were drag free smooth). Then there was the Trek labelled Showa fork (couldn't hang the bike upside down without it raining oil) but at least the seals were only simple O-rings. Talk about crap. The upgrade to this was the venerable Mag21.

[splat]

My first Mt Bike , was a 1983 Specilized Stumpjumper , with Suntour Mountech dereailers ( 6 speed, I still have one ) thumb shifters, the Handlebars and stem were 1 piece, the wheels were bolt on ( becausea Quick release wheel would not be strong enough to stand the pressues from Mt biking)
Dia Comp Cantilever brakes with brake handles that looked like they came off of a Motor cycle

Mt bike #2 ( still ridgid ) 1987 Fat Chance , I bought in 1989, Had Suntour Friction shifting equipment ( would later upgrade to XT ). I had a Pair of those scott handle bars with climbing bars in them. I loved this bike , I rode it till the frame failed.

Does any one remeber the old Suntour Power-cam Brake ?

Indeed this thread started in Bar Ends poll. JT informed us that he still has some old school parts on his Superlight..he would be doing us a diservice not to chime in.

As for for me:

First Bike: 1987 Specialized Stumpjumper, Suntour derailleurs, thumbshifters, Araya rims, 'meaty' brake handles, Dia Compe cantilever breaks, mushroom grips (?), and a beefy saddle

the next bike was a Cannondale with original Coda cranks and deore rear der., and the infamous Trek Shock from Showa...

[johnnyt]

Ah, my first mountain bike...1991 Trek 930, fully rigid, all LX with rapid fires, great bike, but not very exciting. Second bike, now that is a retro dreamboat...
Custom Stowe steel frame with a 1" steer tube, english racing green, mag 20, grafton joysticks, fir rims, white bros front hub and suntour grease injector rear hub, suntour xc pro thumbshifters (the front one is on my santa cruz), and derailers (rear derailer is also on the sc), ti bolts everywhere, gravity research rim crusher brakes and seat post, syncros ti bb, syncros stem and syncros crank-o-matics, diacomp ss-7 brake levers, coda bar.

She was a beautie!!! Now she is in pieces. A bunch of her wound up on the superlight, shifter, derailer, seatpost and seat, crank-o's. I can't decide what to do with her. Should she be a ss? Should I convert her into a commuter? It seems a shame to let it just hang there after so many years of love...

[gungywump]

Does any one remeber the old Suntour Power-cam Brake ?


Yeah, same as what came on my Fisher Montare but it was designed by Doug Bradbury and labeled as such.

Remember the Nishiki Alien designed by Richard Cunningham? Elevated Chainstays and rigid.

How about HED tension discs?

Answer Hyperlight Bars?

[johnnyt]

Anyone willing to admit the had a garvin flex-stem?

My wife has an old Klein Attitude that I am trying to find a set of mission control bars for...

[gungywump]

Anyone ever heard of a section of trail at Guidas in Middlefield, Ct. called Jon's Elbow??

Well it wouldn't be called that if I didn't have that shitty Girvin Flexstem on the Rig I was riding! No control once that beatch started to flex!

Also I'd like to point out that I was fully suspended in 1992. An Offroad(pre-Pro-Flex, pre-Noleen, pre-K2) 992. Ironically I don't own a single suspension bike today.

[gungywump]

Oh Yeah. About that Girvin Flexstem. First and only time I ever rode it. Bought some Rockshox as soon as I healed.

[I Are Baboon]

This is only my third season of MTB. My first bike was a 2001 Rocky Mountain Spice. Who says 28 was tool old to start riding!?

[turch]

I know the elbow but hadn't been there for ages. Same for the other side of 66 running to p'ridge and of course castle criag north to timberline park and the y camp. Hmm, Guiffrida and the boneyard. Yum.

Oh, another old rig. Yokota. I believe that this defunct compnay actually transitioned into WTB (once upon a time they produced bikes).

[gungywump]

Tires:
Fisher Fattrax???
Tioga Farmer John's and Framer John's Cousin???
Panaracer Smokes, Smoke Lights, and Darts???
Onza Porcupines????

[johnnyt]

Ritchie z-max
scott at-4 grips
scott brakepads were the best of all time! Remeber the orange ads that looked like the kind from kids bikes?

Can't forget the old bell image helmet and cat eye toe clips.

[turch]

Heck, I got a zmax 2.3 on front of that Element that I'm trying to off. Try to find one of those.

My original Smoke/Dart's now look like something out of the Thunderdome. Loaded with screws as my icebike tires.

Powergrips in lieu of toe clips.

Styrofoam Bell Helment with a nylon cover...

Anyone ever heard of a section of trail at Guidas in Middlefield, Ct. called Jon's Elbow??

Ironically I don't own a single suspension bike today.


You talking full supension or are you telling me you only ride rigid...

it doesn't matter A RIGID PLATINUM Bike will soon be all the rage

BTW - solid quote on the Art of War...next week we'll get the Dale Carnegie "How to win friends and influence people" quotes going...

[splat]

Anyone willing to admit the had a garvin flex-stem?

My wife has an old Klein Attitude that I am trying to find a set of mission control bars for...


A Buddy of mine I ride with just put a flex stem on his bike!! other than that he still rides rigid.

[SloMoJo]

You guys are impressive.

I'm still riding my first bike.
99 KHS Nomad softail.
Looks like I'm just a newbie.

I have yet to see anyone else riding KHS softail, but I'm happy with it as a starter bike.

[steve_b]

One of my riding buddies is STILL riding a fully rigid Specialized Hardrock with cantilever brakes. The rear brakes mount under the frame ! Not sure if it came over on the Pinta or the Mayflower. ;D

[Mt.A TODD]

Old School to me is BMX. Sure, my first Diamondback mtb had BIO-pace big ring, but that's Retro.

Let's not confuse Old Skoolers with Retro Crouches.

p.s. Gold is OldSchool. ;D

[gungywump]

Old School to me is BMX. Sure, my first Diamondback mtb had BIO-pace big ring, but that's Retro.

Let's not confuse Old Skoolers with Retro Crouches.

p.s. Gold is OldSchool. ;D


Todd,
Retro is something new that is made in the style of the past. It is paying homage to the styles of the past through actions in the present. Fad. Think 2002 Ford Thunderbird
Old school however alludes to a unchanging philosophy of the past being better than the present. Classic. Think 1957 Ford Thunderbird.
New school is what is popular now. Modern. Think Ford Focus.

A Bio-Pace ring is Old School. If someone made a new ring today and marketed it as Bio-Pace well, that's retro.

I agree however that BMX is Old School:
Race Inc.
PK Ripper
DK
Powerlight
Diamond Back
Torker
Redline
Haro

I have a friend with a 1978 Gary Littlejohn 26" Cruiser. Littlejohn is widely regarded as the father of BMX. He was making BMX bikes as early as 1974. Haro wasn't founded until 1978.

Remember California Light Pads and Zeronine number plates??

Peace

[Mt.A TODD]

Your absolutely right GUNGY, thanks for Old School schooling. What’s your take on New School? Can one be both?

Schwinn Sting with California Lite Pads, Z RIMS and Beartrap (or claw) pedals..

Also had a Predator Aeor (oval tubing) with the rad syle "goose kneck"...what was the name of that stem???

[gungywump]

Todd,

I beleive one can be both New School and Retro. But, one can not be Old School and Retro or New School and Old School. The new Thunderbird has a Retro style but New School mechanicals.

What do you think??

[gungywump]

Schwinn Sting with California Lite Pads, Z RIMS and Beartrap (or claw) pedals..

Also had a Predator Aeor (oval tubing) with the rad syle "goose kneck"...what was the name of that stem???


Mongoose made the original "Gooseneck" stem it was a wide clamp with 4 bolts and weighed a ton.

[Mt.A TODD]

One definition of retro = Contrary to a usual or natural course or direction. backward or behind.

Somebody using crappy old outdated bike parts, does not entitle them to be called “Old School” !

I am thinking of riders that I know who refuse the idea of disc brakes and full suspension. They are not O.S., they lack the attitude and background. Are they RETRO, cycling purists???

[gungywump]

One definition of retro = Contrary to a usual or natural course or direction. backward or behind.

Somebody using crappy old outdated bike parts, does not entitle them to be called “Old School” !

I am thinking of riders that I know who refuse the idea of disc brakes and full suspension. They are not O.S., they lack the attitude and background. Are they RETRO, cycling purists???


Taking the philosophy that what is new is best and everything from the past is "crappy" and "outdated" is clearly New School.

I beleive full-suspension is good.
I beleive disc brakes are good.
I beleive gears are good.
But, I ride a full rigid singlespeed more than any of my other bikes. I started mountain biking in 1987 on a full rigid mountain bike. So, whereas I consider my singlespeed to be retro my reasons for riding it are purely Old School.
Also, it is not healthy to just blindly accept new as best. I know very few people who actually need more than 4" of front and rear travel. Alot of people who have more travel need it more as a way of hiding a flaw in their riding technique than because they are going so big. I know several Trials riders who can drop 10' perfectly smooth on rigid Trials bikes. It's all about technique and smoothness. Every year manufacturers add another inch to the front and rear suspension of their bikes. They are not satisfying need they are creating one in people who always have to have the "latest and greatest".

I know I'm ranting, sorry.

[???


Taking the philosophy that what is new is best and everything from the past is "crappy" and "outdated" is clearly New School.

I beleive full-suspension is good.
I beleive disc brakes are good.
I beleive gears are good.
But, I ride a full rigid singlespeed more than any of my other bikes. I started mountain biking in 1987 on a full rigid mountain bike. So, whereas I consider my singlespeed to be retro my reasons for riding it are purely Old School.
Also, it is not healthy to just blindly accept new as best. I know very few people who actually need more than 4" of front and rear travel. Alot of people who have more travel need it more as a way of hiding a flaw in their riding technique than because they are going so big. I know several Trials riders who can drop 10' perfectly smooth on rigid Trials bikes. It's all about technique and smoothness. Every year manufacturers add another inch to the front and rear suspension of their bikes. They are not satisfying need they are creating one in people who always have to have the "latest and greatest".

I know I'm ranting, sorry.


Gungy - pickler,

Not sure where you are going with this. It seems what you are getting at is succumbing to the new technologies and the marketing engines behind it. I did pick up a hint of purist theory in your comment about riding flaws. To play devil's advocate, if technology helps a rider get over terrain they previously couldn't ride, isn't that a good thing for the sport of MTB'ing? Won't that continue to advance participation in the sport? and the breadth and depth of legal trail building?

I too have been riding since the late 80's and DO NOT have FS, Disc Brakes, or even riser bars (I do own a pair..still in the box). However, I guarantee my next bike will be FS (short travel) and may even have disc brakes. Why, the technology will let me ride longer with no back pain and perhaps, just maybe, it affords me a new line down a descent. Additionally, because of the technology it may not FORCE me to give up the characteristics I love about my hardtail....

I agree with you about the travel overkill and like...maybe I just babbling as well...

Anyone? Bueller?

[Mt.A TODD]

More ranting guys, searching for a definition....

Crappy outdated bikes and parts is a called cheap and out of touch with today, not O.S.

I know how to moonwalk, yet I am not a breakdancer.

When we were first riding BMX and crude mountain bikes in the mid and late 80's, we were innovators of the time, new school 20 years before that phrase was coined. Back then, we were looking for new technology, new tricks, trying to define a new style. Now in 2002 we are called Old School, fine, we are veterans, but our ideals and attitude should not change! Yes, I keep in touch with my roots and ride my ridged single speed, but it's not as RADICAL and GNARLY as my Bitchen Fullie with disc brakes! Those of you who do not accept the "new" stuff are not Old School, your called... Old Fart!

True Old Skoolers remember the past and embrace the future. New Skool and Old Skool are one in the same, just different time and place.

Done ranting.

I know how to moonwalk, yet I am not a breakdancer.



Ya but can you do the worm?

Todd, this Old Fart was faster (somewhat) in the old school days. I remember throwing on a pair of cut-off army pants, my styrofoam helment and a half filled (notice not half empty) water bottle and taking off for the afternoon to "MTB'ing" in the woods...nothing was better...that my friend is the attitude...

For years I hated what racing, never did it, and didn't know much about it other than a bunch of skinny dudes flying around on light XC rigs...but I didn't see them as MTB'ers...I was naive.... I was a 'backwoods' rider and that was my definiton of mountain biking...was that retro or old school thinking...since then I have changed my view and have even raced from time to time..however, I'll take a weekend EPIC over a race anyday anytime...

I embrace the new technology but that doesn't mean I have to run out and get it...I got my eye on a Santa Cruz Superlight this winter...but it won't guarantee that am 'happier' on the trail....or will I ride more...with a job, house, family and the like, I'm fortunate to get out on the trail as much as I do....and it doesn't need to be on chi chi dualie...but it will someday...again, that is part of the attitude...call what you will old school...new school...

Word...I like to MTB...heck, I like road riding (when MTB is not an option).....

[gungywump]

I know how to moonwalk, yet I am not a breakdancer.



Ya but can you do the worm?

Todd, this Old Fart was faster (somewhat) in the old school days. I remember throwing on a pair of cut-off army pants, my styrofoam helment and a half filled (notice not half empty) water bottle and taking off for the afternoon to "MTB'ing" in the woods...nothing was better...that my friend is the attitude...

For years I hated what racing, never did it, and didn't know much about it other than a bunch of skinny dudes flying around on light XC rigs...but I didn't see them as MTB'ers...I was naive.... I was a 'backwoods' rider and that was my definiton of mountain biking...was that retro or old school thinking...since then I have changed my view and have even raced from time to time..however, I'll take a weekend EPIC over a race anyday anytime...

I embrace the new technology but that doesn't mean I have to run out and get it...I got my eye on a Santa Cruz Superlight this winter...but it won't guarantee that am 'happier' on the trail....or will I ride more...with a job, house, family and the like, I'm fortunate to get out on the trail as much as I do....and it doesn't need to be on chi chi dualie...but it will someday...again, that is part of the attitude...call what you will old school...new school...

Word...I like to MTB...heck, I like road riding (when MTB is not an option).....


NOO's got it. It's all about enjoying the ride.
I don't reject all new technology most of it just doesn't serve me well. If you read back through this forum you'll see that I had a full suspension bike as early as 1992. I loved that bike. Then I moved to Colorado for 7 years. The type of riding I did there did not require suspension so I rode hardtails. Upon coming back east I learned that I could ride all the trails I used my suspension bike for on my Hardtail. Three years ago I discovered singlespeeding and it brought back all of the initial joy I experienced when I started mountain biking. Plus, nothing is more fun than blowing past Big Clunky full-suspension bikes on a trail strewn with baby-head rocks on your full rigid singlespeed.
Anyway I am getting another full-suspension bike this winter. I already ordered it. It's a 2003 Kona A Full-Suspension SINGLESPEED. Suspension will help on long epics but, I still don't want any gears.

Speaking of gears. Are you guys 8speed or 9speed? Why?

PEACE

[johnnyt]

Still riding 8 since I have a partial suntour drivetrain. No need for more and those tiny chains scare me...

[

Speaking of gears. Are you guys 8speed or 9speed? Why?

PEACE


8 speed. no need for nine speed....as long as I can get 8 speed compatability i'll stick with it....i have replaced parts on my drivetrain a number of times over the years (very recently the freehub and cassette)...and still have no 9 speed components...

As an aside, I only replace parts when they break and will upgrade. I embrace new technology when it add what I feel a functional value. For instance I started using Gore Ride-On cables when they first came out...but I use them for shifting only..not brakes. I have made judgements that don't always make sense..like keep putting XTR rear derailleur on...

Have a good weekend gentlemen!

[gungywump]

Jolly Chime,

I like your ring. You da man! Suntour?!?
9 is useless. You're right chain is too skinny for MTB. Cog spacing is too close for MTB. And, was 8 not enough for some reason? Other than marketing to technophiles.

Jolly Chime,

I like your ring. You da man! Suntour?!?
9 is useless. You're right chain is too skinny for MTB. Cog spacing is too close for MTB. And, was 8 not enough for some reason? Other than marketing to technophiles.


I forgot that JT was one of the original repsonses to our smack about remember the.....(insert old part here). He runs suntour thumbshifter on a Santa Cruz Superlight...he da man...now I feel bad for bustin his aggies about EMS... ??? :(

I'll blame it on your name change... ;D

[johnnyt]

That is one of the many reasons I am a in the He-Man-Shitmano-Haters Club!

[gungywump]

That is one of the many reasons I am a in the He-Man-Shitmano-Haters Club!


I have acheived MTB bliss. My Kona Unit Single Speed has not a single S**tmano component on it!

[Mt.A TODD]

Dare I say 9? on two bikes with no big ring. :-\

[splat]

[

Speaking of gears. Are you guys 8speed or 9speed? Why?

PEACE


8 speed. no need for nine speed....as long as I can get 8 speed compatability i'll stick with it....i have replaced parts on my drivetrain a number of times over the years (very recently the freehub and cassette)...and still have no 9 speed components...





8 who Needs 8!

both My Mt bikes have 7's on them , MY rode Bike has a 7 , another road bike only has a 3 ( and only 1 up front ) , my touring bike has a 6 , my Wifes road bike Has a 6, My wifes hardtail has a 7 and ( oh well ) her soft tail has an 8. I need a Fixed Gear !

[johnnyt]

Splat is my old school hero, but Gungy! Oh, gungy, a no shitmano ride is pure bliss! My Stowe hardtail achieved this state of nirvana, but i can not reach that level of conciousness with the superlight. It is those damn front derailers! Even the Sram rep at Mt Snow NORBA could not tell me when they would be making a front d.

It is sad that the microsoft of mountain biking rules so strongly! >:( LINUX rules and so does anything but Shitmano!!!!!!

[CouchingTiger]

I agree, Shimano is the worst junk out there, except for ALL the other junk. I went through the no-Shimano phase years ago, only to spend all my time working on my bike fixing the "delicately machined with love in the USA" parts which cost 4x what the Shimano stuff did.

I still use GripShift, though their rear deraileurs are pretty shoddy. I've never liked Shimano cranks and so I use RaceFace only. For hubs though, it's Shimano all the way. Because they don't break? No, they ALL break, Shimano are the easiest and cheapest to fix. Shimano hubs also tend to fail in expectable ways only, like the freehub self-destructs, unlike some cool machined hubs that blow a flange or something.

-Couch

[splat]

Snow NORBA could not tell me when they would be making a front d.

It is sad that the microsoft of mountain biking rules so strongly! >:( LINUX rules and so does anything but Shitmano!!!!!!


<------- note what it says there ! :)


Sturmy Archer Baby! ( now that is real old school! , the shimano , interal 3 suck! )

been thinking about one of those 7 speed internals that Nexus and Sachs make , any thoughts ?

[gungywump]

Why not a Rohloff Speedhub?

[splat]

Good point ! why not :)

[gungywump]

It is those damn front derailers! Even the Sram rep at Mt Snow NORBA could not tell me when they would be making a front d.


Jolly Chime,
Try dropping your outer and little rings up front. Use just the middle. Then go with an old suntour derailler as a chain minder. Presto, no shimano front D.

[Big Game]

Hey GW I know you think you're special with your single speed and all, but you really won't impress me until your single speed is a skip-toothed. Now that's old school.

But seriously, I think you and your fellow luddites on single speeds are doing a fantastic job sticking it to the rest of us who think technology is a good thing. Boy are we stupid! Why have gears? All that means you'll have to ride up hills. Life is much easier with a built-in excuse such as having one gear. Yay!

[splat]

Skip tooth! I Like it!


Hey why not cottered cranks too! :)

[gungywump]

And Wood Rims!

Screw the precious metals bikes I think we're on to something here!

[Big Game]

And Wood Rims!

Screw the precious metals bikes I think we're on to something here!


A solid wood bike?

I do like the idea. Now I suppose the debate will be mahogany or teak.

Perhaps this is best handled in a new post.

[splat]

lets not forget Tubular tires ( which my wife still runs on her road bike )

[gungywump]

lets not forget Tubular tires ( which my wife still runs on her road bike )


Cotton of course!

[MMcG]

Ah, my first mountain bike...1991 Trek 930, fully rigid, all LX with rapid fires, great bike, but not very exciting. Second bike, now that is a retro dreamboat...
Custom Stowe steel frame with a 1" steer tube, english racing green, mag 20, grafton joysticks, fir rims, white bros front hub and suntour grease injector rear hub, suntour xc pro thumbshifters (the front one is on my santa cruz), and derailers (rear derailer is also on the sc), ti bolts everywhere, gravity research rim crusher brakes and seat post, syncros ti bb, syncros stem and syncros crank-o-matics, diacomp ss-7 brake levers, coda bar.

She was a beautie!!! Now she is in pieces. A bunch of her wound up on the superlight, shifter, derailer, seatpost and seat, crank-o's. I can't decide what to do with her. Should she be a ss? Should I convert her into a commuter? It seems a shame to let it just hang there after so many years of love...


Caught this one while scanning old posts - I know I know...well I'm not getting any nookie these days so what's a guy to do right!

So JT, how's about an update on your thought process on the Stowe. Nudge Nudge! ;D

Cheers,

Mark

[radair]

Man, how did I miss out on this thread?! Talking about old bike stuff? Such nostalgia!

My first rig was an '86 Schwinn Sierra, 6-speed with index shifting ("it's the latest thing"). I missed out on the Bio-pace frenzy, which came out semmingly hours after I got my bike home, but somehow managed to avoid upgraditis and did not buy into it (I lusted after a hite-rite, but never owned one of those, either). A few years ago I overhauled a friend's '87 Stumpy that had Bio-pace, the incredible U-brake, and 7-speed. I styled on that rig for a commuter for a while before giving it back.

Old school vs. retro-grouch? Ummm, I'm staying out of that one, but I've been called a retro-grouch a few times. You guys got pretty deep into that, but I'd stick with Gungypimps definition.

Speaking of which...I'm clinging to 8-speed for all I can, and just today bought two new 8-speed drivetrains. After a friend of mine bent a cassette cog while riding in his bike shop, I figured those 9-speeds are too damn fragile. Yesterday another friend of mine said "other than bending two cogs, I've had no trouble with 9-spd". Duuuhhhh.

Exotic wooden bike material - no, not teak, but Bubinga. The name just sticks in my head.

G'night!

[MMcG]

Ah, my first mountain bike...1991 Trek 930, fully rigid, all LX with rapid fires, great bike, but not very exciting. Second bike, now that is a retro dreamboat...
Custom Stowe steel frame with a 1" steer tube, english racing green, mag 20, grafton joysticks, fir rims, white bros front hub and suntour grease injector rear hub, suntour xc pro thumbshifters (the front one is on my santa cruz), and derailers (rear derailer is also on the sc), ti bolts everywhere, gravity research rim crusher brakes and seat post, syncros ti bb, syncros stem and syncros crank-o-matics, diacomp ss-7 brake levers, coda bar.

She was a beautie!!! Now she is in pieces. A bunch of her wound up on the superlight, shifter, derailer, seatpost and seat, crank-o's. I can't decide what to do with her. Should she be a ss? Should I convert her into a commuter? It seems a shame to let it just hang there after so many years of love...


Caught this one while scanning old posts - I know I know...well I'm not getting any nookie these days so what's a guy to do right!

So JT, how's about an update on your thought process on the Stowe. Nudge Nudge! ;D

Cheers,

Mark


Bumping to see if JT will share his thoughts with us on the Stowe.

Cheers.

Mark

Now Playing: Fish - Live (no not that Phish....Fish, the tall Scotsman, used to sing for Marillion (Remember the song Kayleigh back in the mid 80s?), now a solo artist.....great stuff!!

[MMcG]

Bumping to see if Jolly Time will chime in on his ideas for the Stowe! ;D

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

heh In the garage at my house on martha's vineyard we have 2 15 year old biopace full rigid thumbshifter treks, and some bikes that are from the 50's. Now that is retro. One is an old raleigh cruiser and the other is an ancient road bike. Also, there is an antique bike museum in Freehold, New Jersey.

[MMcG]

Biker Dude, you gotta give new life to all thos rigs sitting around your posh Martha's Vineyard digs.

It's a shame for them to be collecting dust like that!

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

Ya I'll try to next time I go. I'll also try to breathe life into the 10 acres of woods just sitting there unridden and covered in huge rocks and stuff that I plan to turn into a freeride run with my friends this summer.

[johnnyt]

Bumping to see if Jolly Time will chime in on his ideas for the Stowe! ;D


The Stowe is in the same hanging position it was last fall. The plan remains to transform it into a SS but it will have to shed some of the retro parts. I will keep the old Rock Shox Mag 20 on it. That fork is bomber! I rebuilt it once and it continues to shine. Nothing like a plush 68 mm of travel! I will also keep the gravity research rim crusher brakes and diacopme ss-7 levers. It will get a new spynergy cyclone front wheel, and an xt 317 rear wheel. I will also need some new cranks since the grafton joystix are beat. Once I add some spacers and a singulator I will be ready to ride in one speed! The real exciting thing about this plan is that when the SS is complete, that means that I will be riding a new bullit also. Ahhhh, decisions, decisions...

[MMcG]

Speaking of that Bullit, here's one for you to have a look at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=1987501 244

[C.P.]

Coming from a Mongoose BMX bike, I really liked the new Mtn Bikes when they came out in 82 in my local shop, where I held a Saturday job selling bikes. The versatility of the mountain bike was key for me, as I had a paperroute that I had to do everyday, and a BMX bike was limiting my ability to go fast, with 1 speed and all...Although, I cherish all the riding skills I aquired from riding BMX.
My first ride:
1982 Diamondback Trail Streak, it was technically the same as an 83, but I picked it up before the end of 82 for a grand total of 365 dollars. (I couldn't afford the nearly 800 dollar Stumpjumper with my bikeshop and paperroute income)
It had 5 SPEED freewheel, 26-36-46 sugino cranks, Mostly Suntour components, bullmoose handlebar/stem,Topmounted friction thumbshifters, beartrap pedals (no toeclips), cantilever brakes, moto style brake levers, "snakebelly" tires,and my favorite accessory - Bluemel fenders - they were popular on the trail for quite some time with the shop guys.
My next bike was a 85 or 86 (can't remember) Stumpjumper, which I got used. It had that "team pink" paintjob, remember that? With this bike, I stepped up to 6 speed freewheel, and much of the same componentry as above, but better quality. I miss the Specialized "Tri-Cross"tires that it came with, those were great tires. Another great accessory at the time, that others have mentioned, the infamous "height rite".
I've since owned two other Specailized Mountain bikes, and still own my 96 Stumpjumper, which I love.
Nothing comes close to my new ride though, I sold my '01 Santa Cruz Superlight to get the new SantaCruz Heckler....love it love it love it.

Anybody remember "Fat-Tire-Flyer" magazine??? I have a few copies from 83, 84 and 85....

[johnnyt]

Yeah, I saw that one. I think I need a large though. I have ridden a medium and large and the med just seemed a little small. The quest continues!