Absolutely agree! Mid 90's is when aluminum frame building got over the hump, and they started building frames that didn't turn to spaghetti. All five of my bikes are from the 90's, and I find them easier to work on, and easy to find replacement parts for.
Absolutely agree. I started riding mtbs in the 90s (Ridgeback 603, anyone?). Bog standard intro bike but I loved it. Stopped riding for a while. Lost the Ridgeback. Replaced it about 7 years ago with a second hand 90s Claud Butler Kylami steel frame, rigid mtb for £80 (again, bog standard for the time). Could've gone for a new bells and whistles mtb, but the 90s is where my heart's at. All I've done to Claud is: new chain, new freewheel with easier hill ratios (still 3x7), new swept back bars and ESI grips (love!), new brake pads, coupla racks (easy off and on able), new wheels with 2.25 Smart Sam plus tyres and a Brooks B17 saddle. Use it for my daily commute, shopping, bombing round my local woods and taking me off road camping round Wales and Scotland (Beacons and eastern Cairngorms). All that for £80+! Makes me laugh as the saddle cost as much as the bike did. Total Jack of all trades, and as you say, easy fix. A bargain version of a Surly Troll, to me. Cheers for the vid. An interesting question.
@@MonkeyShredYep. Still rigid. Original forks, same diameter as the frame. The bars I put on are lightweight aluminium 25.4mm NC-17 Trekking handlebars. About £25, rise of 60mm, backsweep of around 30ish degs, something like 620 wide. Again, nothing fancy but gives me plenty of control for where I go. And gives enough room to hang a large Carradice Longflap, plus bits. Looks pretty good and a bit klunkerish. Something about the geometry that has me staring at it..... Like it could almost be a classic Ford Mustang. Is that weird......?🤔🚴
So true, I still have my 1992 Dawes rough trade, reynolds 531 with all original parts, I think it will last forever. The lug work on the frame is really nice, just like my 1980s RR/TT frame sets that I raced back in the day.
I agree and you've just made me super nostalgic for my Specialized Rock Hopper. Converted to a road bike then back to off-road, easy peasy. As an aside, the wheels after ten years of use were as true as when I rolled them out of the shop having never seen a spoke spanner!
I've had excellent luck restoring older 80's and 90's steel road bikes using long reach calipers and 26" wheels. I like 1.75" tires as great all-rounders. Sometimes I dimple the frame at the seat and chainstays to get more tire clearance. The ride quality of thin tubed steel combined with the wider tires is magical while retaining the agility and snappy responsiveness of a race bike.
Oh interesting. So you're going from a 622mm wheel to a 559mm assuming it's 700c at the start. That's only a 63mm difference or 31.5mm difference in reach. I hadn't thought about it in numbers like that.
I couldn't agree more, I've been riding my 1993 Diamond Back Apex in the last 29 years and Improvement after improvement I still love it and it's still there!!!
@@MrChristopherMolloy yup! It started off as a 700c hybrid build, then went V brakes and M550. Then full M550 and now finally back to its original DX build. Such a nice ride.
Totally agree, out of everything I own my favorite is still my 1994 Cannondale M900, the ride is just like nothing else and the welds are clean as hell
Pump on a front fork leg!!! Never seen that before. What a great idea. Completely out of the way from between your legs or the back of your heels. I'll be trying that out on my converted MTB->Winter bike. It's a Specialised Rockhopper with drop bars, STI and S_A hub brakes.
Interesting. Never had an issue with bumping my Topeak Turbo Morph on any of my bikes, even when I use the offset mount so I can still run a water bottle cage.
These are the bicycles that spawned the whole differentiation between granny’s 26” and roadie’s racers. Now, if anyone tells you that this and that latest craze is the only thing you need, be prepared to be overtaken despite a thousand electric shifting gears. MTB gave rise to the whole versatility we’re facing nowadays, and that is not bad at all. The point still being - spin ‘em!
I restored a 1885 Gary Fisher a couple of months ago. I put it up for sale but I don't think I can part ways with it anymore. It's just way too much fun!
I took a 93 dbk axis and converted to threadless hardtail. I also have a Fuji/Marlboro folder that I converted from 26er 3x5 to 700c with 3x9 drivetrain. But with the road dual pivot calipers I'm limited to 700x32. 35s rub the bottom of the unicrown and the brake arms.
I also took a 93 Nishiki Pueblo mtb and threw on some salsa Cowchippers, MicroNEW 3x9 brifters, shimano Deore RD-M591 and used a quill stem adapter so I can dial in the fit easier. Also upgraded to Tektro Oryx cantis.
Oh mate. I bought the 1989 Cape Wrath back in the day, with a lugged 531 frame and DX gruppo. It had the chainstay mounted XT U-brake which was a real pain in the arse in muddy Autumn conditions. Fortunately, my local frame builder wanted the U-brake for a tandem he was building, so he brazed on a set of cantilever lugs, (removed the U-brake lugs) and put on the old Suntour XCD brakes. Sorted. Out of all the 25 plus MTB's I have had since 1984, my old Claud Butler was the best of the lot. I would have it back in a flash.
I totally agree. There is a very active community there, too. retrobike in Britain or the mtb-news classic thread in Germany. So many nice guys to talk to and have discussions about the best bikes ever. Are you on one if these forums, by any chance?
Absolutely agree. But one thing to watch out for is the little dead ends in 90s MTB and bike tech, like straight 1 1/4 headsets (although I guess these are coming back because while steel steerers don't need it, carbon might?) or Shimano low profile JIS cranks. But even with these exceptions, it was so nice to be able to count on standards! We can never forget how amazing this interchangeability is. For instance, from my latest build: an 1992 Italian mountain bike frame, a new French-branded, Italian-threaded, JIS-tapered BB (probably made in China), and Taiwanese cranks. Long live standards! Another great thing to mention is geometry. It was still possible to get properly large (say over 55cm) mountain frames. Also the cockpit--you could really dial in your fit with the huge variety of stems, especially the quill stems. AND, my personal favorite, you can throw on drop bars.
Yep. They probably are a bit better at suiting drop bars than a modern ride! I’ve got to do it soon on something. I’ve done it before but not properly.
You summed it up concisely in a few minutes how good steel framed bikes from the 90's era are. Versatile easy to work on maintain robust & fun 👍 I bet you didn't get those Surly forks for a fiver though "expensive" ? Nice.
I love them! So comfy. PlanetX normally have a decent stock of them here, whether that's their own brand or Nitto but last time I checked they were all sold out :(
Totally agree! I'm rebuilding a 1990 Trek 7000 right now (the one with the cool black with white splash and mint green lettering!). It's aluminum, not steel, but many of the same principles apply - versatile and you can still upgrade in many great ways. Like yours, I'm updating a few things: threadless, shorter modern stem, and wider modern bars. Thanks, as always, for the great video.
Currently built up a gary fisher 69 er. 26 inch rear wheelfront 700c forks with afat 29 inch wheel 1 x 8 set up ....the old 90s bike are great ....you can mod the geo with a bigger front wheel , bigger forks etc be creative have fun ....there are no rules ....love your vids great set up with those surly forks you could even put 29er front wheel on those and it would make the bike handle differently if you wanted to go that route !
ive just bought a rockhopper for £40 i put rroadtyres on it and jts great, then yesterday i met a mate wh o had a marin bobcat trail. ithad been in his Dads garage since the 90s he said he was after a road bike so i swapped my canondale Cad 8 road bike for it ,i dont drive so i rely on my bikes ,i bought a Giant EMTB a couple of years ago for longer off road rjdes coz im 59 and getting a bit creaky ..lol i was an original mountain biker in the 9os i had GT zaskers ,kona explosifs and i started to miss them even though i had an E Bike now im out every day on my retro bikes and i love them!! 😁 👍
I bought a new Raleigh Dyna Tech Ogre XT mountain bike in the early 90's cost me a grand and I still ride it to this day. Built a few pairs of wheels etc since then, but I just cannot get rid of it as the ride is lovely, not harsh like today's bikes.
I agree. Depends what you want your bike for? As an everyday commuting/touring/leisure rider yes. However, the difference in specific genre bikes today is amazing. I was stuck in old school until I rode a modern mountain bike and wow, just wow.
Oh yeah there's so much difference between my 29er full sus and the rigid 26 for sure. Not sure on all the genre's they're creating though. A lot of them seem the same!
Love my Trek 950 steel frame bike , converted to A headset . It’s just a different kind of ride to my other aluminium frames. Wouldn’t part with it. The 90’s mountain bikes were definitely the best
Seeing a lot of the new hotness "Gravel bikes" evolving into more mountain bike in their design. I would say the nearest we have now is the hybrids that lean more to off-road with flat bars though most are Ali.
Love my red Jamis Dakota and built up a trek antelope for the wife that I picked up at the beach of marketplace, cheaper than renting one for the week.
I agree, i worked on a bunch of them and i own a few... BUT, they all (let's say 99.9%) have a giant issue: if you are over 6 feet, they are too small. And yes, you can have a 40cm seatpost (though finding long threaded stems is a serious issue) but at one point they end up all being too short.
yes 90s MTB are extremely versatile. Did you weld Crmo tubing with flux core wire without gas? I am tninking about to widen the chainstay to fit bigger tires than 2,3 inch and for more mudroom.
Do you think the steel/ti gravel bikes of today will be talked about in a similar fashion in 25-30 years? I love my '92 Hei Hei and am currently working on an early 90's Dirt Research Kenai (Columbus Nivacrom EL) project for my boy. I also invested in a Litespeed TI gravel bike to see me into my twilight years and absolutely love it. Cheers mate!
Good question. It’s hard to say but maybe! Steel / Ti are a bit more niche than the aluminium / carbon bikes right? It might give them a bit more of a talking point in the future.
I’ve got a early 90s Carrera integer as my only transport, we’ve been across two continents and nearly 30 countries, not bad for a £38 eBay win, that now stands me about £300
@@kevinfeeney5309I know. But my point is if its posible to fit U-brakes insted of v-brakes if you use 26" on 700 fork. The v-brake for 700 is further away from the axle then v-brakes for the 26". And u-brake mounts for 26" is further away from the axle then 26" v-brake mounts. I know it's not ment to fit, but I wanted to try. 😅
Not all biles are created equal ... saying this, a good frame is key to a good build. And if you are not into a 100% restoration/period correct, rather go for a larger frame and compensate with a shorter stem - this will give you a much better riding position. But yeah, agreed - these old bikes are cool!
Oh definitely. The weight difference I've seen recently between a 1990 Kona Fire Mountain Frame and a 1993 KHS Montana Pro is amazing. The Kona will make a solid bike but the KHS will have a lot more life in it!
I feel I should have a mask on to watch this video... My 95 Foes Weasel survived 20 years on the same set of tyres and is still a great ride... I do wish I still had my Milazo Crazyhorse. Steel frame... made some secon hand bits modifications.... bent home modified 2" rockshocks replaced the 10speed tapered forks... Eliptical front sprocket.... mixed alloy rims (still steel spokes.... Y brakes front. V rear... Turns out almost everyone in New Zealand had a Milazo as their 1st MTB (Originally made in NZ but now China like all the others).
@@MonkeyShred the mask.. [SNIF].. just in case I catch a virus [SNIF]. q8D Theres a walkaround of my old foes on my channel and you can see how slick those tyres are now (walkaround near exactly 20yr after they were fitted). I so wish you could still get 3.0 26" tyres (A Surly from America is $90US.. way too expensive b 4 shipping)
I love my Giant ATX 760, black and "stone" fade paint with the teal green stickers. Surly x1 handlebar, wtb seat, biggest Michelin foldable tires that will fit. I have spare wheels and groupset for it, so it should last forever. I do have skinnier tires for it too, but I like the big foldable tires as they give you a bit of suspension.
FInding the right tyre like that can really make a bike. I've definitely been through a few tyres that I feel let down the bike. What are the Surly X1 bars like? I can't seem to find them
I have a 90s rocky mountain that is awesome for bombing around town, but no, it doesn't compare to a modern MTB, even a modern hardtail with aggressive geometry. You can get new bikes in steel that are just as versatile but way better suited to getting down mountain trails.
Oh of course. A modern mountain bike will always out perform an older one on trails. There's not quite the parts availablity and options available for them yet though.
Which size frame would you recommend for me at 5'10" and wanting a 90s frame to turn into a gravel/touring/commuter bike? My 18" 1997 Kona is too small!
Well usually I'd be on a 17/18" at around 5'9". The Scott in this video is a 19" and I've used 20" but then they start to feel a bit big for me. The stem height, length, bar width, sweep etc can all make massive difference too. The Bullmoose bars on that Scott are raised up about 20mm with spacers and with the sweep it's a lot comfier than any regular flat or riser bars
@@MonkeyShred Ah cool that gives me a good insight knowing what you ride and your height. I appreciate it. You're right about these old bikes. I love steel. Even my new 29er On One is steel. Love how much your channel is growing but hopefully you never stop replying to your nerdy viewers!
The history of the bike industry is just going round in circles making Grandpa's roadster cool again. People loved 90s MTBs because they were just comfortable bikes unlike the "10-speed racers" they superseded. Same happening again now with "gravel bikes".
People just don't want them. Utility doesn't sell. Coolness sells. If someone cool gets on them (nowadays maybe an influencer) then people will want them. Until then they're a weirdo/nerd trap.
can honslty say i have had more fun on a rigid 26" bike than any other bike I've owned. Something so raw and direct about them. So simple and tough.
just put an 11 spd sram drivetrain on an old trek singeltrack. rides like a dream
The efar factor is very much a part of that! Riding the rigids over Cannock is definitely a "hold on and have fun" experience.
Absolutely agree! Mid 90's is when aluminum frame building got over the hump, and they started building frames that didn't turn to spaghetti. All five of my bikes are from the 90's, and I find them easier to work on, and easy to find replacement parts for.
Absolutely agree. I started riding mtbs in the 90s (Ridgeback 603, anyone?). Bog standard intro bike but I loved it. Stopped riding for a while. Lost the Ridgeback. Replaced it about 7 years ago with a second hand 90s Claud Butler Kylami steel frame, rigid mtb for £80 (again, bog standard for the time). Could've gone for a new bells and whistles mtb, but the 90s is where my heart's at. All I've done to Claud is: new chain, new freewheel with easier hill ratios (still 3x7), new swept back bars and ESI grips (love!), new brake pads, coupla racks (easy off and on able), new wheels with 2.25 Smart Sam plus tyres and a Brooks B17 saddle. Use it for my daily commute, shopping, bombing round my local woods and taking me off road camping round Wales and Scotland (Beacons and eastern Cairngorms). All that for £80+! Makes me laugh as the saddle cost as much as the bike did. Total Jack of all trades, and as you say, easy fix.
A bargain version of a Surly Troll, to me. Cheers for the vid. An interesting question.
Sounds like you're definitely making use of that one! What swept back bars did you go for? Is it still rigid too?
@@MonkeyShredYep. Still rigid. Original forks, same diameter as the frame. The bars I put on are lightweight aluminium 25.4mm NC-17 Trekking handlebars. About £25, rise of 60mm, backsweep of around 30ish degs, something like 620 wide. Again, nothing fancy but gives me plenty of control for where I go. And gives enough room to hang a large Carradice Longflap, plus bits. Looks pretty good and a bit klunkerish. Something about the geometry that has me staring at it..... Like it could almost be a classic Ford Mustang. Is that weird......?🤔🚴
@@gerryedwards9738 Awsome thanks. I’ll have a look at them. And nope, if the Mustang thought works for you.. it works!
Durable, repairable and dependable those were the good old days
The days still live on!
@@MonkeyShred I ride a 1980s Scott Sawtooth. the yellow/red model out of sunvalley idaho. I still go hard on it!
So true, I still have my 1992 Dawes rough trade, reynolds 531 with all original parts, I think it will last forever. The lug work on the frame is really nice, just like my 1980s RR/TT frame sets that I raced back in the day.
531 and lugged! Always nice to see on an old MTB
I agree and you've just made me super nostalgic for my Specialized Rock Hopper. Converted to a road bike then back to off-road, easy peasy. As an aside, the wheels after ten years of use were as true as when I rolled them out of the shop having never seen a spoke spanner!
i just bought a 90s rockhopper and i love it i pjt gravel bike tyres on it and away i went ..weeeeee!!!😁
I've had excellent luck restoring older 80's and 90's steel road bikes using long reach calipers and 26" wheels. I like 1.75" tires as great all-rounders. Sometimes I dimple the frame at the seat and chainstays to get more tire clearance. The ride quality of thin tubed steel combined with the wider tires is magical while retaining the agility and snappy responsiveness of a race bike.
Oh interesting. So you're going from a 622mm wheel to a 559mm assuming it's 700c at the start. That's only a 63mm difference or 31.5mm difference in reach. I hadn't thought about it in numbers like that.
I couldn't agree more, I've been riding my 1993 Diamond Back Apex in the last 29 years and Improvement after improvement I still love it and it's still there!!!
And I have to add that you have one of my favorite bike channels. I really appreciate your approach and creativity solving problems!
Cheers Nick!
I'm not a heavy rider these days, but I have a triple-butted CrMo 1993 Diamond Back Apex with Deore LX throughout, and it's still a gem.
I have a 91 Apex! Absolutely love that bike. I think it might have been the first retro ride I picked up.
@@MonkeyShred I think you might have posted a few videos of that a few years back? I'd love to see you revisit it again someday.
@@MrChristopherMolloy yup! It started off as a 700c hybrid build, then went V brakes and M550. Then full M550 and now finally back to its original DX build. Such a nice ride.
@@MonkeyShred Yep. It took a long time to realize it, and several Aluminum bikes, but as primarily a flat street rider I really prefer a steel frame.
Totally agree, out of everything I own my favorite is still my 1994 Cannondale M900, the ride is just like nothing else and the welds are clean as hell
Pump on a front fork leg!!! Never seen that before. What a great idea. Completely out of the way from between your legs or the back of your heels. I'll be trying that out on my converted MTB->Winter bike. It's a Specialised Rockhopper with drop bars, STI and S_A hub brakes.
I had to make use of at least some of those mounting points on the Ogre!
Interesting. Never had an issue with bumping my Topeak Turbo Morph on any of my bikes, even when I use the offset mount so I can still run a water bottle cage.
Absolutely true my Claude Butler Miura bike gets a ride out most weekends and I love it 🤗
Is it still in its standard form or have you modified it over the years?
@@MonkeyShred no not really, just two new wheels about ten years ago, everything still standard.
These are the bicycles that spawned the whole differentiation between granny’s 26” and roadie’s racers. Now, if anyone tells you that this and that latest craze is the only thing you need, be prepared to be overtaken despite a thousand electric shifting gears. MTB gave rise to the whole versatility we’re facing nowadays, and that is not bad at all. The point still being - spin ‘em!
If you're spinning. You're winning!
I restored a 1885 Gary Fisher a couple of months ago. I put it up for sale but I don't think I can part ways with it anymore. It's just way too much fun!
1885? DANG! Gary must be immortal! ;)
had a steel framed fuji thrill man I miss that bike. I want another one just to play around with again.
Good luck with the hunt!
Had to get a storage unit to store my 4 90’s GT’s!
I'm going to need extra storage very soon!
They’re indestructible. Can modify to whatever you need. Totally agree. Got two Bridgestone’s myself and LOVE them.
How have you modified them?
I took a 93 dbk axis and converted to threadless hardtail. I also have a Fuji/Marlboro folder that I converted from 26er 3x5 to 700c with 3x9 drivetrain. But with the road dual pivot calipers I'm limited to 700x32. 35s rub the bottom of the unicrown and the brake arms.
I also took a 93 Nishiki Pueblo mtb and threw on some salsa Cowchippers, MicroNEW 3x9 brifters, shimano Deore RD-M591 and used a quill stem adapter so I can dial in the fit easier. Also upgraded to Tektro Oryx cantis.
Nice! 32c is plenty comfortable and fast when fitting the 700 wheels
I had a 1996 Claud Butler Cape Wrath with a Tange Cro mo frame, fillet brazed to a good standard. Still feel sad that I sold it.
The ones that got away. There's definitely a few I regret selling.
Oh mate. I bought the 1989 Cape Wrath back in the day, with a lugged 531 frame and DX gruppo. It had the chainstay mounted XT U-brake which was a real pain in the arse in muddy Autumn conditions. Fortunately, my local frame builder wanted the U-brake for a tandem he was building, so he brazed on a set of cantilever lugs, (removed the U-brake lugs) and put on the old Suntour XCD brakes. Sorted. Out of all the 25 plus MTB's I have had since 1984, my old Claud Butler was the best of the lot. I would have it back in a flash.
Nice colors, light.
It was a good morning to stop for a ramble!
I totally agree. There is a very active community there, too. retrobike in Britain or the mtb-news classic thread in Germany. So many nice guys to talk to and have discussions about the best bikes ever. Are you on one if these forums, by any chance?
I am, technically, on retrobike but I don't really use it. I haven't properly used a forum since 2013 maybe!
Absolutely agree. But one thing to watch out for is the little dead ends in 90s MTB and bike tech, like straight 1 1/4 headsets (although I guess these are coming back because while steel steerers don't need it, carbon might?) or Shimano low profile JIS cranks.
But even with these exceptions, it was so nice to be able to count on standards! We can never forget how amazing this interchangeability is. For instance, from my latest build: an 1992 Italian mountain bike frame, a new French-branded, Italian-threaded, JIS-tapered BB (probably made in China), and Taiwanese cranks. Long live standards!
Another great thing to mention is geometry. It was still possible to get properly large (say over 55cm) mountain frames. Also the cockpit--you could really dial in your fit with the huge variety of stems, especially the quill stems. AND, my personal favorite, you can throw on drop bars.
Yep. They probably are a bit better at suiting drop bars than a modern ride! I’ve got to do it soon on something. I’ve done it before but not properly.
You summed it up concisely in a few minutes how good steel framed bikes from the 90's era are. Versatile easy to work on maintain robust & fun 👍
I bet you didn't get those Surly forks for a fiver though "expensive" ? Nice.
To be honest, they were pretty cheap! Almost brand new fork and I got it for just under £100. Massive saving over the retail price.
Big fan of the bull moose bars. They're difficult to come by here, and expensive when you do.
I love them! So comfy. PlanetX normally have a decent stock of them here, whether that's their own brand or Nitto but last time I checked they were all sold out :(
Totally agree! I'm rebuilding a 1990 Trek 7000 right now (the one with the cool black with white splash and mint green lettering!). It's aluminum, not steel, but many of the same principles apply - versatile and you can still upgrade in many great ways. Like yours, I'm updating a few things: threadless, shorter modern stem, and wider modern bars. Thanks, as always, for the great video.
Rigid mtb are freaking awesome I have a few converted to MTBMX and absolutely love the way they ride
I hope theyre not all single speed though ;)
@@MonkeyShred not all but some
Currently built up a gary fisher 69 er.
26 inch rear wheelfront 700c forks with afat 29 inch wheel 1 x 8 set up ....the old 90s bike are great ....you can mod the geo with a bigger front wheel , bigger forks etc be creative have fun ....there are no rules ....love your vids great set up with those surly forks you could even put 29er front wheel on those and it would make the bike handle differently if you wanted to go that route !
Thanks! Yeah I'm sure it's a 27.5 fork but could have been wrongly listed. It was 2nd hand but basically new.. Definitely room to go bigger though!
ive just bought a rockhopper for £40 i put rroadtyres on it and jts great, then yesterday i met a mate wh o had a marin bobcat trail. ithad been in his Dads garage since the 90s he said he was after a road bike so i swapped my canondale Cad 8 road bike for it ,i dont drive so i rely on my bikes ,i bought a Giant EMTB a couple of years ago for longer off road rjdes coz im 59 and getting a bit creaky ..lol i was an original mountain biker in the 9os i had GT zaskers ,kona explosifs and i started to miss them even though i had an E Bike now im out every day on my retro bikes and i love them!! 😁 👍
Good to hear you’re still enjoying the retro rides!
I bought a new Raleigh Dyna Tech Ogre XT mountain bike in the early 90's cost me a grand and I still ride it to this day. Built a few pairs of wheels etc since then, but I just cannot get rid of it as the ride is lovely, not harsh like today's bikes.
Glad to hear it's still going! The DynaTech's has some nice colour schemes on them too!
Just picked up 95 diamondback vertex and love it 😎
I ride a 1993 Gt zaskar that is nearly 14 years older than me but I still love it more than any modern mtb
Nice! I have a lot of fun on the older bikes. More of that terror factor over the gnarlier trails
I agree. Depends what you want your bike for? As an everyday commuting/touring/leisure rider yes. However, the difference in specific genre bikes today is amazing. I was stuck in old school until I rode a modern mountain bike and wow, just wow.
Oh yeah there's so much difference between my 29er full sus and the rigid 26 for sure. Not sure on all the genre's they're creating though. A lot of them seem the same!
@@MonkeyShred yes too many cross overs that could be covered by less. Treks range is bonkers and totally unnecessary. Just money making.
Love my Trek 950 steel frame bike , converted to A headset . It’s just a different kind of ride to my other aluminium frames. Wouldn’t part with it. The 90’s mountain bikes were definitely the best
Hell yeah! Keep them alive and riding!
Seeing a lot of the new hotness "Gravel bikes" evolving into more mountain bike in their design. I would say the nearest we have now is the hybrids that lean more to off-road with flat bars though most are Ali.
Or some nice steel hardtails today! There's some lookers about and I reckon they could cross disciplines too.
Love my red Jamis Dakota and built up a trek antelope for the wife that I picked up at the beach of marketplace, cheaper than renting one for the week.
Probably more reliable than renting one too.
I agree, i worked on a bunch of them and i own a few... BUT, they all (let's say 99.9%) have a giant issue: if you are over 6 feet, they are too small.
And yes, you can have a 40cm seatpost (though finding long threaded stems is a serious issue) but at one point they end up all being too short.
I've heard that from others too! I'm sure I've seen Doddy over on GMBN mention that a lot too. Fortunately for me... I'm not that tall :)
yes 90s MTB are extremely versatile. Did you weld Crmo tubing with flux core wire without gas? I am tninking about to widen the chainstay to fit bigger tires than 2,3 inch and for more mudroom.
I haven't welded anything just yet!
Agree with everything said !
Thanks!
Do you think the steel/ti gravel bikes of today will be talked about in a similar fashion in 25-30 years? I love my '92 Hei Hei and am currently working on an early 90's Dirt Research Kenai (Columbus Nivacrom EL) project for my boy. I also invested in a Litespeed TI gravel bike to see me into my twilight years and absolutely love it. Cheers mate!
Good question. It’s hard to say but maybe! Steel / Ti are a bit more niche than the aluminium / carbon bikes right? It might give them a bit more of a talking point in the future.
No. You can pick up a decent 1950s bicycle for about £30. Nobody talked about them in the 90s.
What's the name of thus type of handlebar? Awesome video btw couldn't agree more!
Bullmoose bars.
@@kevinfeeney5309 thanks man 🙏🏻
Too late to the party to answer but keep an eye on Planet X if you're in the UK. They stock them but run out quickly.
@@MonkeyShred I think I'll Stick with the original one on the bike , It Is a Tioga T-Bone After all
I’ve got a early 90s Carrera integer as my only transport, we’ve been across two continents and nearly 30 countries, not bad for a £38 eBay win, that now stands me about £300
Damn! That's some mileage on that bike! Good going!
Love the mid 90's mtb frames. 🤩
Is it also posible to fit a 26" wheel on a 700 fork (for v-brakes) vith a u-brake??😄
U brake and v brake posts are in different positions.
@@kevinfeeney5309I know.
But my point is if its posible to fit U-brakes insted of v-brakes if you use 26" on 700 fork.
The v-brake for 700 is further away from the axle then v-brakes for the 26".
And u-brake mounts for 26" is further away from the axle then 26" v-brake mounts.
I know it's not ment to fit, but I wanted to try. 😅
I don't actually know that one Verner but I see your point! I think the mounting point would have to be around 30mm different for it to work.
Not all biles are created equal ... saying this, a good frame is key to a good build. And if you are not into a 100% restoration/period correct, rather go for a larger frame and compensate with a shorter stem - this will give you a much better riding position.
But yeah, agreed - these old bikes are cool!
Oh definitely. The weight difference I've seen recently between a 1990 Kona Fire Mountain Frame and a 1993 KHS Montana Pro is amazing. The Kona will make a solid bike but the KHS will have a lot more life in it!
Anyone ever put a 27.5 rear wheel on a Trek Singletrack (originally 26)? Thanks
Never a truer word said.
Cheers badger.
I feel I should have a mask on to watch this video...
My 95 Foes Weasel survived 20 years on the same set of tyres and is still a great ride...
I do wish I still had my Milazo Crazyhorse. Steel frame... made some secon hand bits modifications.... bent home modified 2" rockshocks replaced the 10speed tapered forks...
Eliptical front sprocket.... mixed alloy rims (still steel spokes.... Y brakes front. V rear...
Turns out almost everyone in New Zealand had a Milazo as their 1st MTB (Originally made in NZ but now China like all the others).
Why's that?
20 years on the same set of tyres!? Damn thats some life!
@@MonkeyShred the mask.. [SNIF].. just in case I catch a virus [SNIF].
q8D
Theres a walkaround of my old foes on my channel and you can see how slick those tyres are now (walkaround near exactly 20yr after they were fitted). I so wish you could still get 3.0 26" tyres (A Surly from America is $90US.. way too expensive b 4 shipping)
I love my Giant ATX 760, black and "stone" fade paint with the teal green stickers. Surly x1 handlebar, wtb seat, biggest Michelin foldable tires that will fit. I have spare wheels and groupset for it, so it should last forever. I do have skinnier tires for it too, but I like the big foldable tires as they give you a bit of suspension.
FInding the right tyre like that can really make a bike. I've definitely been through a few tyres that I feel let down the bike. What are the Surly X1 bars like? I can't seem to find them
@@MonkeyShred ah I meant 1x1 bars. They are also called Torsion bars. A little wider and a bit more backsweep than the stock handlebar.
What is the name of your forks
That’s a Surly Ogre.
At least better price quality ratio than that Ferrari in the traffick lights 😀
Lambourghini ;)
Time to buy a hankie
Oh the bike doesn't excite me in those ways!
I have a 90s rocky mountain that is awesome for bombing around town, but no, it doesn't compare to a modern MTB, even a modern hardtail with aggressive geometry. You can get new bikes in steel that are just as versatile but way better suited to getting down mountain trails.
Oh of course. A modern mountain bike will always out perform an older one on trails. There's not quite the parts availablity and options available for them yet though.
Your not wrong.
Which size frame would you recommend for me at 5'10" and wanting a 90s frame to turn into a gravel/touring/commuter bike?
My 18" 1997 Kona is too small!
@@emilifd Nah the frame is too small, not too short
@@emilifd Thanks man. I'd like a frame that's a bit closer to what my 54cm road frame feels like, but an MTB
Well usually I'd be on a 17/18" at around 5'9". The Scott in this video is a 19" and I've used 20" but then they start to feel a bit big for me. The stem height, length, bar width, sweep etc can all make massive difference too. The Bullmoose bars on that Scott are raised up about 20mm with spacers and with the sweep it's a lot comfier than any regular flat or riser bars
@@MonkeyShred Ah cool that gives me a good insight knowing what you ride and your height. I appreciate it. You're right about these old bikes. I love steel. Even my new 29er On One is steel.
Love how much your channel is growing but hopefully you never stop replying to your nerdy viewers!
The history of the bike industry is just going round in circles making Grandpa's roadster cool again. People loved 90s MTBs because they were just comfortable bikes unlike the "10-speed racers" they superseded. Same happening again now with "gravel bikes".
Best bike is the one you got...
Not always but I see what you're saying!
People just don't want them. Utility doesn't sell. Coolness sells. If someone cool gets on them (nowadays maybe an influencer) then people will want them. Until then they're a weirdo/nerd trap.
Can never understand why people are spending thousands on new bikes when you can get older bikes that cost a fortune new for peanuts
Well, I mean, an older mtb isn't going to keep up with a modern floaty ride on the trails so there's that!
Depends who’s riding dude
Garbage but that's my opinion is like wearing chuck Taylor's to play basketball over a pair of Jordans🤯
Sounds like a skill issue
First!
Enjoy a virtual cookie!
don't buy 90's buy today
Why's that?
@@MonkeyShred they dont mke them like they used to