Simon C

Rememebering there had been a spate of cycling threads on here I went looking for insperation... Alas it seems I've hit the age where I've stopped growing upwards and started growing outwards!

So as I now live in the nice green area that is south beds I've decided to replace the mtb that got nicked and get fitter and certainly slimmer.

I've been round the local bke shops and the internet and foof me, the prices are getting silly now, even for hard tails! So I've hit on the idea of doing a sort of retro mtb renovation, mainly because I'm a skinflint and secondly an oldie will do what i want of it (mainly road with a few forest forays, after all I live near Chicksands so it would be rude not to).

Having found https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...e-experts.html thread, the thought of restoring an oldish Kona or similar appeals.

Anyone here like the older bikes, if yes, show them off so I don't think I'm the only idiot here!

andythejock01wrx

Well, I've got a 2009 Scott Scale 35 and Ms Jock has the pleasure of using my 2002 Spesh Rockhopper, but I reckon you're thinking a bit older than that!

2000 sport

iTrader: (1)

Have a look on retrobike mate.. They do get a bit OTT in my opinion, but a good place to look for old bits..

Jamescsti

Have a look on classified websites such as gumtree or even ebay, you can get a reasonably priced bike without having to go really old, unless you really want to

Gordo

I use a 25 year old Raleigh Record Ace which is still very handy (Reynolds 531 tubing etc). It was my main road bike til only recently being relegated to pulling our little one one her bike.

Gordo

stilover

My ex used to ride a big chopper all the time.................

Simon C

Wasn't thinking really old, maybe early 200? for the hack, although I do have a hankering for 1 of these. I was lucky enough to own a Klein Attitude race whilst at uni, so already had 1 of my childhood icons.

Simon C

You git!! you had to go and mention that site, now I know what I want and with my luck, won't be able to find! A Kona, just can't remember the model name.

2000 sport

iTrader: (1)

Haha..

Describe the bike, I might be able to tell you the model name and really ruin your day !

Simon C

It was one a friend had at uni. A slivery grey frame with Judy XC forks, could have sworn, the name began with H. Also I do rememebr him saying it was about £1500, this was in 98 - 99.

2000 sport

iTrader: (1)

Hei Hei

markb_s1

i'll have to have a look on that retrobike site.. i've still got my old karakoram k2 from about 1990 in the shed. last time i tried to get any bits for it i couldn't find them anywhere! stupid U2 brake on the back

Ayde

iTrader: (6)

I still have some Orange bikes from the 90's, got a Clockwork from around 1990, a 93 Prestige with a set of Manitou 3's on it and a 94 Prestige with Manitou 3's on it. The 93 was been used up until 12 months ago when I got a new - Orange I'm thinking of sticking some semi-slick tyres on the 93 and changing the gears and using it more as a road bike.

austinwrx

I'll be out tonight (we ride every Monday night- every week of the year !) one of my friends will be on an early full sus Whyte. another on a 90's orange.

occasionally I may take my mid 90's univega- but not often- unless we're doing lots of road/trail and then its great for speed.

biggest downfall to all these bikes, is lack of disc brakes. not an issue in this weather, but come winter time- they are terrible (in comparison of course)

Simon C

Its all relative as you say, I remember the same argument between canti's and V brakes Yes I'm that old!

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

I had a Raleigh activator when I was at school. Does that count as retro yet?

2000 sport

iTrader: (1)

Canti's were a right pain in the **** to setup.. But you could get them anodized in loads of colours.. I used to love my old HS33 Hydraulic rim brakes with ceramic rims painted with some bitumen type stuff..

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Dunx has 1990 Giant Escaper... with a Pace 50T front chain ring for road use.

And a pair of Pace carbon forks (like those shown above !) on his 2000 Marin XC frame.

Jamescsti

I had one of those, thought it was the dogs danglies, the suspension was more than useless though

mrmadcap

How's this for retro, 1994 Kona Cinder Kone with Girvin Vector 2 forks with hydraulic damping, Hope hubs, mavic rims handbuilt by Merlin, suigino, shimano and wavey 21 speed twist grips.

They don't build em like that any more, nowerdays MTB's are better spec for less money.