Retro MTBs

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Discussion

So

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
I've got a Chas Roberts White Spider and an Orange O2 in the shed, which I haven't used for years. I had assumed they'd be virtually valueless. But I've just looked on Ebay and it seems that some 90s bikes are taking on a cult status and are worth a few quid.

Is this a recent thing and is it likely to continue? I want to know if I can plan my retirement based upon the value. wink

fathomfive

9,876 posts

189 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all


I've got 3 of them (arranged here in the "where the f**k did I put the bike stands when I moved home" formation):

1998 Orange O2
1998/9 Klein Pulse Race
And a lovely, made-in-Chehalis Klein Attitude Race.

All pretty lovely to ride. The Attitude especially.

So

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
fathomfive said:


I've got 3 of them (arranged here in the "where the f**k did I put the bike stands when I moved home" formation):

1998 Orange O2
1998/9 Klein Pulse Race
And a lovely, made-in-Chehalis Klein Attitude Race.

All pretty lovely to ride. The Attitude especially.
My O2 is black like that and, coincidentally my Roberts is the same colour as your blue one.

fathomfive

9,876 posts

189 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
So said:
fathomfive said:


I've got 3 of them (arranged here in the "where the f**k did I put the bike stands when I moved home" formation):

1998 Orange O2
1998/9 Klein Pulse Race
And a lovely, made-in-Chehalis Klein Attitude Race.

All pretty lovely to ride. The Attitude especially.
My O2 is black like that and, coincidentally my Roberts is the same colour as your blue one.
Like you, I've been looking on Ebay at current listings to get an idea of value, as I'm toying with buying a modern bike and will undoubtedly need to make space for it. Or invest in ear plugs to ward off SWMBO. In particular, I've seen some pretty spectacular asks for the Attitude Race.


g7jhp

6,959 posts

237 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
I've been using my 1991 Marin Muirwoods on family bike rides since lockdown. Usually only used as an occasional commuter to the station.


So

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
g7jhp said:
I've been using my 1991 Marin Muirwoods on family bike rides since lockdown. Usually only used as an occasional commuter to the station.

They were a very cool bike in the day. Still are actually.

defblade

7,399 posts

212 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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Just sold my 2005 Kona Cinder Cone for £30 less (£270 vs 300) than I paid for it 6/8/10 (I can't remember!) years ago. So it's a fairly low risk game if you fancy playing... there may be a lack of bikes for sale at the mo though; wait until the end of summer, maybe wink

Gompo

4,396 posts

257 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
While the depreciation/appreciation curve is not quite the same as cars from the early 90s, quality bikes from the period are certainly sought after; but generally just the cream of the crop. A lot of it is nostalgia; and for some a hobby. There's some good groups on Facebook and the RetroBike forum has been going for ages. Some restore bikes back to OEM spec, some modify either period or modernise. One thing that disappoints me with modern MTBs is that they're almost always heavier than their counterparts 2 years ago; of course they're more capable these days and you'd probably be able to get a gravel bike to do 90% of what an old XC MTB would do..

I'm in my late 30s, looking at the bikes I desired in the 90s they're still desirable; if I had the means I'd definitely have a nice Klein and a Pace RC200; although they'd probably not get much of a workout..

PushedDover

5,623 posts

52 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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Hmmm, I am being told our bike shed is looking overpopulated.




At the end (on the wall wink )is my old Specialized Hard Rock....
Worth looking to move? or do they need to be pristine / non-modded "matching numbers" to be worth selling ?
It must be 1990's vintage

Gompo

4,396 posts

257 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
PushedDover said:
Worth looking to move? or do they need to be pristine / non-modded "matching numbers" to be worth selling ?
It must be 1990's vintage
Others will be better informed, but I'd say as mentioned the same applies from cars as it does to bikes generally. The Hardrock was a fairly entry level bike, so not especially sought after, even in very good condition and totally standard it might not be worth much at all, £100 maybe? If modified, then the value is probably more in the parts; there might be some desirable aftermarket bits; or something random that another person might need to complete for a project, but I'd say it's a small market if they're all fairly low end parts..

I've got a similar age GT Pantera; it's a nice bike and almost completely standard; still not worth much and I eventually intend to put some semi-slicks on and using it as a general road/shopping bike.

PushedDover

5,623 posts

52 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
thumbup

Or the Plan B was to keep it to throw in on one of the 'trade in' Halfrauds offer if someone I knew was looking to buy a bike.

V1nce Fox

5,508 posts

67 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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Some bikes command premiums, but all are considered properly cool now (fwiw). Something late 80s, very early 90s with amber walls gets proper points.

Pupp

12,206 posts

271 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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They make good fixies too cool

So

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
V1nce Fox said:
Some bikes command premiums, but all are considered properly cool now (fwiw). Something late 80s, very early 90s with amber walls gets proper points.
I see the Roberts Dogs Bollx seem to be up for good money, but I haven't seen a White Spider.

An interesting fact is that some sponsored riders rode White Spiders painted in their sponsor's colours. The Peugeot chap in the 90s being one.



V1nce Fox

5,508 posts

67 months

Monday 11th May 2020
quotequote all
Kleins seem to be top of the food chain currently.

Edited by V1nce Fox on Friday 26th June 05:37

mike74

3,687 posts

131 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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Got a 96 Marin Mount Vision with some nice period components, Pace RC-35, Hope hubs, Odyssey Shark Bites.

Last time I looked on ebay Mount Visions were going for next to nothing and didn't appear to have got caught up in the 'anything retro' bubble.

Gareth1974

3,408 posts

138 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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The 1998 Orange O2 must have been a big seller!


dontfollowme

1,158 posts

232 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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My entry level 90s Saracen (rigid fork!) is worth bugger all but has kept me sane during the lockdown. There's very little stock about for mid range road bikes.

MBeemerman

202 posts

98 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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1995 Marin Pine Mountain, I've owned her from new and still use it when riding on the road with my 8 year old.
Great old bike !

Sheetmaself

5,665 posts

197 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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Inhave a pine mountain and love it, but cant ride it easily as geometry way too stretched out for my comfort and not sure worth the cost to change or even if possible. Plus the forks have collapsed and would need a good service.

Shame as heavily specced with either xt or hope titanium (hubs) and manitou sx titanium forks.