Retro MTBs

[Zippee]

TerryTowling said:

After (briefly) going back to my old 26 mountain bike with quill stem, I can't understand the enthusiasm.

A lot will obviously depend on what bike you are referring to as there is a lot of ste out there. Secondly they are like classic cars, not a comfy or quick as modern but still a heck of a lot of fun.
My pace will climb quicker than many current bikes. All of mine in top gear will outrun a modern 1 x on an open fire road.
They're not suited to everything, especially jump parks etc but still a very good laugh.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

Zippee said:

TerryTowling said:

After (briefly) going back to my old 26 mountain bike with quill stem, I can't understand the enthusiasm.

A lot will obviously depend on what bike you are referring to as there is a lot of ste out there. Secondly they are like classic cars, not a comfy or quick as modern but still a heck of a lot of fun.
My pace will climb quicker than many current bikes. All of mine in top gear will outrun a modern 1 x on an open fire road.
They're not suited to everything, especially jump parks etc but still a very good laugh.

As Zippee said. I think it depends upon what you're riding and what you're using as a comparison. It also depends upon where you ride (forest trails, up-hill, down-hill etc) and your riding style. I don't think there's much doubt that a retro 26'er wouldn't see which way a modern downhill-specific bike on 29'ers went on a rocky downhill section but on a forest trail or single track it might be different. My 26'er still gives me a thrill whenever I ride it. It's light, a fantastic 'climber', quick to accelerate, direct and full of feel but twitchy at the same time. It's not an 'easy' ride.

[Greendubber]

Squadrone Rosso said:

My 1990 Claud Butler Vantage. Did some serious stuff on this back in my 20s.

Still in really good original condition. Only non original parts are the rims & tyres.

Thought it was the dogs with the aluminium frame.

Wolf Guard mud guard.....old school

[Spydaman]

Here's my Kona Explosif picked up from the tip for £5 a few years ago. Apart from the wobbly Girvin Flexstem it rides very nicely. Must be worth nearly £6 now.

[Greendubber]

USE seatpost. The height of bling back in the day, I had a purple one on my Rock Lobster and thought I was to dogs dangley bits until I bent it

[Spydaman]

Greendubber said:

USE seatpost. The height of bling back in the day, I had a purple one on my Rock Lobster and thought I was to dogs dangley bits until I bent it

When I got the bike the seat was too high for me and fused in the frame. I had to cut it out and find a replacement. I still managed to sell the bit I cut off as an ultra rare short seat post.

[Greendubber]

Spydaman said:

Greendubber said:

USE seatpost. The height of bling back in the day, I had a purple one on my Rock Lobster and thought I was to dogs dangley bits until I bent it

When I got the bike the seat was too high for me and fused in the frame. I had to cut it out and find a replacement. I still managed to sell the bit I cut off as an ultra rare short seat post.

I seem to recall they were shimmed to size, they were the one to have back in the day!

[Bonefish Blues]

Still got one on the back of the (MTB) tandem

[Narcisus]

Greendubber said:

Squadrone Rosso said:

My 1990 Claud Butler Vantage. Did some serious stuff on this back in my 20s.

Still in really good original condition. Only non original parts are the rims & tyres.

Thought it was the dogs with the aluminium frame.

Wolf Guard mud guard.....old school

I have a Claud Butler ( can’t remember which one from the top of my head ) in my garage that has never been ridden even though it’s had 2 tyre changes and new gear levers ! I bought it god knows how many years ago and hung it on the wall.... Took it off periodically and sprayed it with WD40 which appears to have protected it. Everything that came with it is still in the poly bag on a shelf next to it !

[dontfollowme]

Anyone able to ID this bike:

https://youtu.be/_JPm8T-q2ls?t=402

[Your Dad]

dontfollowme said:

Anyone able to ID this bike:

https://youtu.be/_JPm8T-q2ls?t=402

Proflex.

I think it’s Dave ‘Pee wee’ Hemings riding.

[Zippee]

Greendubber said:

I seem to recall they were shimmed to size, they were the one to have back in the day!

2 " long shims that were the death of many a frame

[Spydaman]

Zippee said:

Greendubber said:

I seem to recall they were shimmed to size, they were the one to have back in the day!

2 " long shims that were the death of many a frame

Yep, that's what mine had. Managed to get it out by cutting it off flush then splitting it with a hacksaw blade. Apparently you can dissolve a stuck seat post with caustic as long as the frame isn't aluminium too. It had USE bars too with a shim but thye were too narrow for me and the ends were split where the Onza bar ends were fitted. I got some CCC blue ano bars and kept the ODI mushroom grips.

[Greendubber]

Spydaman said:

Zippee said:

Greendubber said:

I seem to recall they were shimmed to size, they were the one to have back in the day!

2 " long shims that were the death of many a frame

Yep, that's what mine had. Managed to get it out by cutting it off flush then splitting it with a hacksaw blade. Apparently you can dissolve a stuck seat post with caustic as long as the frame isn't aluminium too. It had USE bars too with a shim but thye were too narrow for me and the ends were split where the Onza bar ends were fitted. I got some CCC blue ano bars and kept the ODI mushroom grips.

My bar it choice back then was a Orange Hot Rod witH Onza Ules grips I think they were called. Pretty sure I had some Fred Salmon bar ends too!

[dontfollowme]

Your Dad said:

dontfollowme said:

Anyone able to ID this bike:

https://youtu.be/_JPm8T-q2ls?t=402

Proflex.

I think it’s Dave ‘Pee wee’ Hemings riding.

Thank you.

[Greendubber]

dontfollowme said:

Your Dad said:

dontfollowme said:

Anyone able to ID this bike:

https://youtu.be/_JPm8T-q2ls?t=402

Proflex.

I think it’s Dave ‘Pee wee’ Hemings riding.

Thank you.

Nope, its Jez Avery.

[Zippee]

dontfollowme said:

Your Dad said:

dontfollowme said:

Anyone able to ID this bike:

https://youtu.be/_JPm8T-q2ls?t=402

Proflex.

I think it’s Dave ‘Pee wee’ Hemings riding.

Thank you.

Dave is a member of the mtb golden era page on Facebook, ask him

[Your Dad]

Greendubber said:

Nope, its Jez Avery.

I stand corrected. Watched it again and I think I can see his pornstar ‘tache.

Hot Pies!

[shortar53]

Recently hauled this out of the shed due to lockdown.
|https://thumbsnap.com/QHFg4SnX[/url]
Bottom bracket could possibly do with replacing, but for 20 years old, it still absolutely flies. Brakes needed new cables and pads, but the gears are as silky as ever, and the elastomer in the shock still have some boing.
Considering replacing it, but given I'm looking at a minimum of £450 to get anything that's an upgrade I'll probably stay with it for a while.

Unless I accidentally press the cycle2work button.

[Spydaman]

Another one from the retro stable. Squishy forks and seat-post make for a comfy single speed ride.