5 Reasons You SHOULD Buy a 90s Mountain Bike
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- See the link below for the 90's MTB debate livestream tonight with Russ from Path Less Pedaled - • Debating 90s Mountain ...
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the search for bikes and gear IS a hobby in itself. the thrill of the hunt baby!
I think for guys like us who started riding in the 90s, there is nothing else. We would always return to them - if not stuck with them forever. 90s mountain bikes all the way, no matter what others might say.
Still finding them and adding them to my stable. I've an Explossiff that is still fantastic. My latest barn score: 2000' homegrown in great shape, dirt cheap in BFE, Oklahoma out on a job. I told them I needed to give them 2x what they were asking, at least. They declined and were just stoked I knew exactly what it was and love them. They were frantically moving from Oklahoma to (as the wife loudly declared..) ANYWHERE. haha. They didn't have time to properly sell it, they wanted desperately to get out of this state pronto and were just happy it would not end up as some crack heads transportation. Saved a Homegrown beauty. Keep up the good work.
I definitely didn’t grow up in the 90s, but for some reason they just speak to me. I could’ve easily built a more modern frame up, but the giant steal iguana I got, just feels irreplaceable to me.
@@lchav420 There's the love! Enjoy it, man.
@Jiggity Jake oh yes! Would be stoked to see some 80s BMXes rebuilt on the channel!!!
@@lchav420 I think that’s one of the main things about 90’s MTBs: they have a quality like no other. Although mass production began in the 90s, those bikes were still closer to the original ideas their makers had in mind (Ritchey, Breeze, Murray, Chance, Bradbury etc.) Each and every model has a value in there, whether just aesthetic or sentimental, they are one of a kind. Owning one is owning a piece of MTB history.
The development in the 90's was great for one reason, the US aerospace industry fell flat and companies went out of business wholesale. That left a massive glut of very powerful 4-5 axis CNC machines up for grabs at 1/10th the actual cost new. all of a sudden you had some guy in a 500 sq/ft building able to make some truly epic parts. the magazines, every month had pages of brand new parts. Also part of that aerospace collapse, the bottom fell out of pricing on titanium, 6061/7075 and cro moly, bikes in bunches were moving from basic steel to more exotics and it was mostly affordable the 90's was an awesome time to be riding.
ON a side note, i would love to build up a mid 90's Salsa frame..
Thx for the history update , I have 2 ti bikes. An Airboure Lucky Strike & Diamondback Axis DBR / Proflex (all carbon full suspension w/Girvin fork & an old ROSS Chrome steel all original (found 2 at pawn shop, they did not know what they had)😉🤙🏼
@@davidj.jorgensen4828 yeah, I rode a nukeproof, both XC and DH, ( hard tail) the Ti ( 3/2.5) alloy was perfect, as I was also an inside linebacker at univ coming in at 240lbs, That alloy has the right level of spring and fatigue resistance as it's been carrying me these last 25 years. But now I just baby it, last thing I want to do is demo a Ritchie brake level or screw up 94' XTR components.. they are so damn pretty.. and I think that might be one reason why the 90's was so amazing; the parts weren't just pumped out of a CNC from CAD, there was so much artistic nuance in every item made, every company had ' their ' design language. I have yet to see a seat that looks' better then my original Bontrager cut wing seat, even in more modern versions of the seat.. just no soul..
good point!
CNC didn't really get useful until about 1986 .
8:40 at my last job, some of us had a morning ride we'd do on Sundays, since we opened later. We all had "gravel bikes" in one form or another (bunch of Salsa's, and a bunch of drop bar 90's mountain bike conversions). One ride in particular stands out to me.
At one point in the ride, sludging through the mud due to a recent storm, another passing cyclist called out from the paved portion "what are you doing there on road bikes?" Later in the ride, while crossing a "flooded" portion of the trail, a cyclist asked "what are you doing?", and one of their ride buddies said "they're on mountain bikes".
In less than an hour, our bikes were called both "road bikes", and "mountain bikes"; when they were just "bikes" we made to our riding style.
Perfect and true. Bikes through and through.
Most people need to name things, prefrontal cortex overriding simple heart thinking
I still own and ride my 1992 Bridgestone MB-4 that I bought new. I've updated it to 8 speed XTR Shifting and V-Brakes, and also installed a wider handlebar. I miss having my Rock Shox Mag-21 on it, but when that finally became non-rebuildable I was glad that I had never thrown out the original steel fork. The double and triple butted cro moly steel frames that many of these great 90's mountain bikes had is just so durable, comfortable, and responsive to ride.
I still have my 1990 MASI roadbike,and will ride it some. Its been updated with new Shimano but is still 9 speed. .the paint looks like new from 1990,they knew how to paint at MASI.
Nothing like a solid frame and fork to really give that plush feel. Zero travel is the best travel.
My first mtb was a Kona Explosif. I bought it when I was 19, in 1994. I really miss that bike.
It's a blessing that we have the power to decide what we like and don't like. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the '90 bikes not just for nostalgia but for affordability. For the cost of one new bike, I can have three or four '90 bikes, plus the parts to maintain them well.
I still ride a 1995 GT Zaskar. I upgraded the front end, and I get TONS of love from other riders out here on the trail.
Also a HUGE FAN of Kona & Richey 90’s bikes. Such beautiful lines!
I just bought a '97(?). It's definitely been well used, but other than cosmetics it's in good shape. Not sure if the seat is horrible or if it's me. Regardless I'm looking forward to riding a fair bit this summer.
I started mountain biking on a Trek 970 from 1998 and even if i'm racing enduro on an Intense Tracer today, i still have the fondest of memories of that Trek. I think i'm ready to build one up again.
"I typically fix my own bike"
For some reason I completely believe you.
One of the best Old Shovel videos, by the way.
Overbiked is the perfect phrase for so many cyclists. I think the reality for most average cyclists riding ultra expensive bikes is bragging rights. ✌ Don't be offended if you have one, they are nice🤓
I ride a fixed gear cyclocross bike almost everywhere locally, for commuting, errands and on nearby local mtb trails. Even some rocky technical trails and extended climbs in the mountains.
I'm 60 years young. I own a dozen custom bikes. My 'Crossafix' is what I'll ride over half the time. Ultra reliable in the worst of conditions and almost maintenance free.
My regular road/trail training ride includes an easy 10 mile smooth singletrack loop. Ive ridden here on my road bike! To get there I ride 10-20 miles of paved road, fire road, tight trail and rolling hills. Its a perfect interval ride or a regular casual ride with less fit friends. It all depends on how fast and hard I want to pedal.
So I get to this easy trailhead, see young people drive up in $100000 vehicles, pull out $5-10k full suspension E-bikes and ride an easy 10 mile trail for less than an hour. Overbiking must be quite a bore! I can't even get warmed up in 10 miles!
Underbiking WILL teach you skills and forced fitness.
It the RIDER, not the freakin bike!
All the gear and no idea as we used to say
It’s not Bragging rights for me. Don’t care about that. I just like a really well made bike and appreciate high end components. Makes it more enjoyable to ride for me. When you moving fast and the shifts are not even noticeable is fantastic. XTR all the way!
@@bugpack6 8 or 9 speed XTR are some of the nicest parts ever made. Mine still works great. Take good care of this stuff and it will last a really long time .
Though just as nice 10 &11 speed brought more compatibility issues.
Unfortunately, with 12 speed, Shimano is trying to devolve to keep up with everything else. That's putting it nicely.
I'm a mechanic in a clean shop. I can get all the new junk at not much more than cost. I prefer my old junk.
I probably fall in that category by your reckoning except it's not bragging rights, it's more nostalgia and an appreciation of craftsmanship. I like higher end vintage steel bikes, road and mountain. I'm a regular "sloth" when I ride, slow and steady by most standards. I get there when I get there but I can appreciate the better performance of a higher end vintage bike even if I'm not physically capable at 67 years of age to make full use of it and thanks to "Freds" like me a lot of these bikes are getting saved that would have otherwise gone to the shredder.
About price: you may have heard this already, but you’re in a very sweet spot for finding good bikes at a good price. There aren’t many places on this planet with the same concentration of 90s mountain bikes looking for a new owner. I’m jealous.
Have to agree. I can found decent bikes most times from 50-600 for 90s mountain bikes. Some just have more rust or are missing tubes or tires but like he said spending another 100 on parts. But like you said living in a spot with plenty of bikes and parts. I’m in Sonoma which is next to Marin where mountain biking started.
I don't ride 90's mountain bikes anymore but I did start on them. Love seeing them on the trails and if the opportunity is right, make sure to tell the rider what an awesome bike they have.
I have a Haro 26" wheel/17.5 " frame mountain bike. I bought it brand new back in 2000. I actually find myself riding more often than my new mountain bike I picked up last year. I just find the old one more versatile to all the different trails and even roads I ride on. I love it and she's 24 years old this year!!
I have a 1992 handcrafted (and signed) grove Xinnovations, and she’s great! She belonged to my uncle who passed away in the early 2000s so it really means a lot to me and I’m glad to hear that there’s no need to get a new one!
I genuinely have been having more fun on my 99' Orange Clockwork than my 2016 Canyon Spectral so far this year. 1x9, v-brakes and modern Nobby nic's, it absolutely rips 👌
Love my 90s Klein...way ahead of it's time. Always wanted one back when I was 16 and used to see them on the cover of MTB UK, but obviously couldn't afford one back then. Now I have one, it holds a lot of nostalgia and memories. They have amazing innovation, and in my opinion, the best paint of any bike past and present.
Some time ago I came back from an injury, which prevented me from cycling. What was my first choice to get back on a bike? My first MTB, without any kind of suspension. Nostalgia, you call it very well.
90's bikes are all-purpose bikes. They are not as specific as today's bikes. And you can upgrade them to make them better than they already are.
I've been starting with MTB from the beginning of 90s. I had 4 MTBs. The last from nineties is my GT Teguesta '98 bought in March 2000. Last week I bought new bike - Cube Attention SL (Germany design). It is much different philosophy of designing shapes, angles. 29 inch, better Rock Shox fork. But to tell the truth I'm not sure that this new bike is better. The same masses! 13,2kg. Differenced are huge, but my GT Cro-Mo gives my 2000 tons of nostalgia, childhood, memories... Cheers from Poland.
26x2,2 vs. 29x2,25, Cro-Mo frame vs. Alloy frame, Rock Shox Indy C (60mm spring+elastomer) vs. Rock Shox Judy (100mm air spring), 3x8 STX RC vs. 1x12 Deore XT, V-Brakes LX vs. Hydraulic Brakes MT200. A lot of people say - the new - the better, but in my opinion it is not the truth. Old bikes in good condition give a lot of fun, pleasure. New bike - also, but it is made in some "different" way. If better? I'm not sure...
Iam riding since 1984 and bought a 1986 Berma Padova from Poland..restored now 100% ..send me everyday back to my teen era...cheers to Poland
I started riding a few years ago at the age of 22 so I missed riding back I the day.
But I 100% agree there's something about riding 90s bikes that just brings me joy I love my 90s voodoo hoodoo
It has been upgraded a tad with disk brakes and a rockshock fork 1x 10 drivetrain
It rocks
My dad got me a 2001 Litespeed Toccoa frame for my 18th birthday for me to build up. I got a 2018 Rock Shox Revelation fork for it, nx eagle drive train, and I ended up ordering a set of custom hubs because I didn’t realize that having a through axel fork and and quick release in the rear was an issue 😐. Learned so much from the experience, and the bike is an absolute blast. At rides and xc races so many people stop to chat me up about it. I have a lot appreciation for those 90’s mountain bikes and tech from that era.
I haven't even sat on bike in over 25 years. My last bike back in the 90's was a Trek 830 Mountain Track. A few hours from now I'm going to pick up a Trek 830 Mountain Track for myself and an 820 Mountain Track for my wife. I found them local to me on Craigslist and they seem complete and in decent shape. I'm even really happy with the price we agreed on. I'm so excited I can't sleep so I'm just watching videos about 90's mountain bikes! Being happy is all the reason I need.
Nostalgia for sure! My first visceral experiences with bikes were in the local shop when I was 7, 8, 9 years old and feeling the grips and brakes and taking in the amazing colors of early 90s Trek mountain bikes.
I just converted a 1992 giant Yukon to a gravel bike. I found it in completely original condition and barely ridden. There’s something about the feeling of the old steel frames that can’t be replaced.
I have a 90's custom built mountain bike, and it really pulls some of my heart strings seeing the bike sitting for years then seeing it running again. Love your restoration and your videos thank you for making me love vintage mountain bikes :)
Compliments from Italy !!! Cinelli Rampichino was the first European Mountain Bike, and I bought a Cinelli Argentovivo (1987) to build a fantastic GRAVEL.
Hearing your thoughts on what you work on is always appreciated. You always have such a polite way of delivering your perspective which isn't common on youtube, and I hope you make more videos like this.
Started riding Mountain Bikes early 80’s. Brilliant. Amazing fun times. Just recently swapped my Felt Carbon 29er frame for a hand built steel Stanton Sherpa 853...much heavier,much better ride! For me the tech has reached the point of saturation! Love the simplicity of external cables and threaded BB’s.
Yess, someone else who praises external routing!
I just fixed up a 90's USA-made Trek MountainTrack that my neighbor was throwing away, the bike was in excellent shape but still needed $165 in basic parts that I purchased from Performance Bike and eBay, a LBS would charge you $300+ for these repairs on top of the purchase price. List of items: stem adapter, new brake pads, grips, cables, pedals, chain, brake noodle, brake rubber boots, Kenda tires, and continental tubes. Don't buy cheap no-name tires! This doesn't include a Giant stem, handlebars, and cable housing I had lying around. If you have an REI around they will sell you cables and housing for the best price I have found. The rims were in decent shape but could use truing, $30 at my LBS, just something I'm not comfortable with. I would make sure the bike has decent rims because this would be a deal-breaker if you need to purchase new ones, rim brakes do degrade them over time, and stay away if they have a freewheel. I didn't touch the BB or the front derailleur because they were in working order and front derailleurs are such a PIA, for another $100 I could have upgraded the cranks and cassette to a 1X but the purpose of this bike is a neighborhood cruiser for a 14-year-old. It's a solid bike now and should last as long as he maintains it, I have seen his other bikes! I'm selling/giving the bike to a friend for the cost of parts and beer. The alternative is buying a new entry-level fitness bike/hardtail for $650 that comes with modern geo, 29er's, and mechanical disc brakes which are far superior and easier to maintain than rim brakes. I personally would stay away from the entry-level bikes with cheap suspension forks and avoid Walmart bikes altogether. I purchased a 2017 Giant ATX Lite for my daughter, the rigid fork is the why they call it "lite", and I paid $500 for it new.
Just purchased a ‘97 Klein Adroit….all original and it is amazing. Brought back so many good memories of my racing days. It’s the one I always wanted……
I enjoy seeing these bikes and old road bikes restored. They are awesome and quirky in a great way. Right now I’m rebuilding a giant Yukon for my daughter then my other is getting a gt outpost rebuilt for her. Don’t forget to mention the wild paint schemes.
I am addicted to late 90's mountain bikes. I restore them with period parts and a few modern goodies. Great show. Thank you
You and PathLessPedaled are some of my favorite bike channels! I love that you guys are so chill and fun, it's a great escape from the expensive, pretentious nature of the sport.
Met him out in Tucson a few years ago. Didn't know who he was then. Did a few brewery rides together and bought some art from him.
Couldn't agree with you more. Every comment resonates.
My 1997 Kilauea is the bike I regret letting go the most.....
Have a 1998 Explosif now running as a gravel bike using Surly forks with disc mounts.
А задний тормоз тоже дисковый?
This is why I own like a dozen vintage mountain bikes. I’ve had everything from every era, and nothing has the feel and emotion like the 90s stuff
It's got soul
Its mostly mental. Rose colored glasses,these old bikes are cool but heavy, newer tech blows them in the weeds......rigid frames beat a body to death.
@@bradsanders6954 ONLY IF YOUR A CANDY@SS
I restored a 1993 Kona Hot. I'm wondering if you have restored any kona bikes?
@@alexrivera3113 I have a 1990 KONA humhumuapuaaa single speed since 2007...........great town bike.
You really delivered that passion and nostalgia, thanks!
Love my 1993 Specialized Rockhopper Comp !
Back in the 90s, as a kid of parents who lived paycheck to paycheck, I only witnessed my friends get the $500+ bikes. Funny seeing all those same bikes now for $50-$100 at yard sales. Some still look like new. And those old, large, Mens style, steel frame mountain bikes are perfect for the gas engine addition which is a favorite hobby of mine!
Looking forward to the "debate"! Love both of you folk's channels!
I love this CZcams channel, the bike restoration videos are very satisfying and lovely
From 1990 to 2013 I rode a Merlin titanium with a 1996 frame being the last one of three frames ( two warranty frames) anyway, very versatile bikes. I am an overseas teacher and wanted a travel bike. I ended up finding a 2000 Litespeed Toccoa which I bought from the original owner in 2006. I had the seller send the bike to Bilenky in Philadelphia to do a S&S retrofit before even seeing the bike ( I was still overseas at the time). It has since undergone two restomods since I got it with the latest last spring. Just trying to build the ultimate travel bike. So I agree, that era of bike is very versatile.
Inspired by oldshovel, I just sprayed and built a 90s Merlin out of lots of spare parts I had. Total cost was less than £100 (although, granted, I already owned most of the parts :) )
Hi from the UK. I've still got a brand new 1994 Trek Mountain Track 820 in green hanging up and a very clean Diamond Back Accent EX from 1992. Late 80s and 90's was my era for mountain bikes.
I return cycling with a metal frame borrowed to me. Some months later I found an GT frame 1994 an build my own one, it cost me more than buy one already build. Some months later my seat post break and was impossible to find parts locally (I am from Costa Rica). Few days later I decided to buy a new one 2021 and of course fix the GT.
The shouldn't on my case is the lack of parts and the necessity to import them. But I love to help my friends to fix and revive his old ones because they still work.
I restored my 1999 Gary Fischer Big Sur. I ride that bike everywhere. It will stay with me forever.
There is value in both approaches. I work at Trek dealer that has been in business since 1974. We of course sell the “latest and greatest”. All of us have at least one “nostalgia” build in addition to our “modern” rides. We service EVERYTHING. There is enjoyment in all bikes. As you said, it’s all about what the rider wants to do. Keep on keepin on Old Shovel.
Still take my Homegrown out from time to time as a reminder of how easy today’s bikes are to ride. The Homegrown still does great on flow trails and always puts a smile on my face.
I used to build the 90s bikes up into touring bikes as they handle it beautifully, one of my bikes went all around NZ(I'm a Kiwi) the across Australia, then various tours in India and then the Karakoram Highway, after which it had a cracked chain stay welded and then through China.
I still use them as "heavy commuters" (set up to take around 50kg is groceries)
Another nod I gotta give to NZ.. although not cycling related, is thrash band Alien Weaponry. Te Maori meshes well with the metal genre.
I am so happy that 80's and 90's MTBs are largely worthless here in Tasmania :D, I recently picked up a 1991 Repco MT3 for $20 and that's about all it's worth.
I've been watching your videos for a year and it motivates me a lot. I recently restored an old Diamondback mountain bike. It is equipped with Shimano Alivio. I use this bike for everyday rides in my area. The cost of the bike including spare parts was 20 euros. I got a new chain and renewed the ball bearings in the bottom bracket. But it's still fun to ride a bike from the 90's. Thank you for your videos and greetings from Bavaria.
I've learned so much watching this channel, like how hard it is to upgrade my 89 Cannondale. But great to watch and learn. So soothing, too.
stumbled upon your page and love the retro mtb content! I have a few 90's MTB in the stable as well and prefer them over my newer bikes. I am 43 yrs old and got hooked into MTB'ing when I was 12 so 90's MTB will always hold a place in my heart. Subscribed for sure.
I had a 1995 Diamond Back Accent Ex. Upgraded to a Rock Shock Judy and Avid (SRAM) side pull brakes. Lots of fun riding on that bike. My wife had me sell it to make garage space after our kids were born. Still wish I had it as a townie/commuter bike. I am sure my 16 year old would appreciate it as well.
Love the talking vid! This is one of the first channels I watched for any 90s mtb stuff after being given my first mtb which was a 95 Gary Fisher Big Sur which I updated on the cheap. I was given a Raleigh MT500 Mountain recently and am trying to figure out what to do with it!
I just overhauled the 1997 GT Pantera I bought new. Re-polished, new decals, and 99% original equipment. Just started riding the trails again and loving it!
Hell yes.
Yours is one of a couple of channels that got me to dig out my old 90's MTBs and give them new life. I just got my Univega Dual Action Pro running and out on the trail today, and I've got a 1996 Rockhopper in pieces that I'll be putting back together over the next couple weeks. Thanks for inspiring so many to give new life to good old bikes.
Thank you for making this video. I am in the process of acquiring and building a 90s mtb into "my" gravel bike. You do good work, keep it going!
Just got a Scott Summit - what a great bike. Good gears, light, maneuverable and nice thin cromo tubing. It looks better than alot of modern bikes.
Congratulations!!. Your videos relax me and inspired me to renew my old Fiorenza mountain bike and make it like new. Greetings from Argentina.
Thank you for sharing, I've been refurbishing old '90s mountain bikes primarily Gary Fisher's chromoly frames or Cannondale aluminum frames turning them into incredible city bikes or commuters easy to work on and they're just so darn good thanks
Love the video! Out of all my bikes my favorite is still my mid-late 80s Fuji MTB.. A few years ago I did a restoration on it, upgrading the drive train and fitting V brakes to it. Makes a great gravel bike. I also agree on the over biked phenomenon.
Really appreciate your videos. Agree with all of your points on why to buy 90's bikes. One to add is it is therapeutic for the soul. Rebuilding my bikes again and again is my happy place. Recently painted my old Cannondale with Spray-Bike paint on your recommendation. Amazing result and so satisfying. Thanks for all you do.
I love my 90's MTB's. Bought a Giant ATX 760,full Deore LX...great Bright yellow..for $25! Local Pawn Shop over stocked sale. It was rideable too. But it needed love. Took it to my neighborhood LBS for a full going over. Trued the wheels,repacked/replaced all bearings,new brake shoes,tires and tubes,new grips. Full tuneup was $250. Good for my LBS too. I have probably $325ish into it with front and rear rack. Cool looking and rides like a charm. I throw it on on my bike rack on my Jeep and off on the AZ trail! It doesn't have all the barnacles of a new frame but there's clamps for add ons. $325 vs $1800+...SCORE! I also have a Trek 6000. Rebuilding it after 30 some years of riding.
I love 90s mbts and I'm happy to see them getting reimagined. I started buying them because they're cheap, and kept buy them because they are so versatile. One of my favorites is my 1990-ish Klein Pinnacle, it's done everything I've asked it.
I'm surprised you didn't bring up metallurgy. You can get a 90s MTB with a fully butted main triangle in True Temper OX or high end Reynolds. Modern steel gravel bikes might also have nice tubing, but you'll pay a lot for it, so most will be 4130 Cr-Mo and maybe the top tube is butted.
I have a Reynolds 853 tube set from '96. Very supple and durable...
This channel and your IG have inspired me to own vintage bikes. I ride them for personal and sentimental reasons. All my friends I raced with and rode with, have past on. When I ride, I feel that they're with me on the ride. Recently purchased a 93 stumpjumper FS M2. What a ride! -lifebytheseatofmypants
Such a great response to Russ’ video 🙌
+1 for 90’s MTB’s.
My ‘99 Hardrock is so very special to me now. It’s been built up as a comfy commuter and now it’s a disc brake rigid mtb/commute thing.
Disc converted, dropper post, $20 but nice riding Chromoly frame 🙌
Excellent rebuttal, I ride new and vintage bikes love both.
Thank you for this video.
I just went out to get some ice cream on my 1994 (?) Scott team racing I customized a while ago: 1x9 drivetrain, Paul cantis and a very cool ritchey venture max handlebar... I love it!
I got a 1993 Gt zaskar it may be 20 years older than me but it’s so easy to fix find parts and it a dream to ride. Love the videos keep it up
I kept and still have my ‘95 Cannondale Super V with a RockShox Judy DH and XTR group with V brakes that I installed. Absolutely love it!
Back in the 90s I was riding the trails where I live now on, strangely enough, a 90s bike with 100mm travel at each end, 3 x 8sp XT and 26 x 2.1" tyres. I'd jump off every little lip, ledge and log, I'd bomb downhill as fast as I could and I had a ball.
Fast forward to 2022 and I'm riding a carbon weapon with with 150mm travel at each end, 1 x 11sp X0 and 27.5 x 2.4" tyres.
I am still riding the same trails and still jump off every little lip, ledge and log, and bomb downhill as fast as I can and I have a ball.
Am I faster on the modern bike? Maybe a little, but I'm not racing and I don't massage my ego with Strava. Am I having fun on the modern bike? Yep. Do I love my modern bike? Yep. Do I still ride my 90s bikes and have as much fun? Hell yeah.
Hell yeah!!
I've got a Diamondback Apex from the '90s & it's a tank. It has a Frankenshock instead of shocks & a springy seatpost. I've got town & country tires on it. I'm 72 now & after seeing your video, plan on bringing it to a shop for a tuneup. Thanks for the inspiration.
I've got the same a Diamondback Apex SE and the True Temper tt-lite steel tubing is amazing
I’ve just finished modernising a mid 90s steel full-Susser, with flex stays no less. It rides so nicely, best project I’ve done to date.
I have been watching your content since the early days of your channel. These are the exact reasons why I started my hobby to work on and ride 90s bikes. Sure, I do own a modern full suspension bike which I ride. But, the experience and nostalgia I have working on older bikes is different. I am in my mid-40s, and fixing/riding my bike is my top memorable childhood experiences. My brother and I fixed our bikes with no bike tools and crappy components but think about the creativity we had with our fixes and mods. Being at home more than before due to the pandemic really got me into chasing 90s bikes and restoring them the way I want. I have over a dozen bikes now including Konas, Voodoos, Kleins, Gary Fishers, etc. I appreciate your content and the inspiration. There is a whole community of us out there appreciating your videos.
My 1999 Haro is my favorite bike in The fleet. I was inspired to do disc brakes on it from your video. Mine is a bolt on kit, because it has an aluminum frame, but it's got good disk brakes non the less. I agree 100 percent! Fix 'em!
Thanks for a fun video. I Like your thoughts! I'm 58 and still have the '87 Jamis Dakota that I purchased new, while in college. It's still like new. Love that bike.
Great video, I see from Argentina. I agree for should buy a '90 mtb bike. Recently I buy again my first bike after 30 years!! A steel Giant Boulder, use it to go to work now. Yes... I'm old biker. Congrats! 🇦🇷🇦🇷
Totally agree with the over biking. I still own my first two 90's mountain bikes.
Another point to your video is some manufacturers still built their frames in the USA up to the early 2000's. That's a big plus for me. I have a fully upgraded 2019 GT Pantera and a recently acquired 2001 Specialzed Stumpjumper that is mostly stock. For quick bike rides around the neighborhood or gravel trails near by I find myself reaching for the Stumpy. It definitely brings back memories.
I have a modern full suspension bike and two 90’s bikes one is a yellow rockhopper rigid with matching cane creek rims it’s my commuter bike with a rack love it it’s smooth the other is a norco hard tail it’s now a 1X10 killer 90’s bikes are awesome
I have a 90s mountain bike. All original. Love it. Nothing could ever replace it. Except another 90s mountain bike
you are doing amazing groundwork for a sustainable, healthy and green way of life
I currently own two bikes, a 97 GT Tequesta that i rescued and restored during the pandemic quarantine and a new hybrid bike. The GT is definitely more versatile and fun to ride than the new bike.
Unfortunately i didn't experience the golden age of the MTBs since i'm 27 years old, but i love to see a nice steel bike from that era still being used today.
Still riding my original 1995 GT timberline and I absolutely love the beautiful, vintage British racing green badass machine. Had to give it a good upgrade about 10 years ago and the shop thought I was crazy. "Why don't you just buy a new bike??" - because I already had a new-ish trek 9000 and it was just, meh. I feel like a rockstar on the GT.
That kona is still my favourite and it's what got me started following you love your shows 👍🇬🇧
I had a 94 Kona Cinder Cone and it was my first totally legit bike. I had a Trek before, but it was just a common bike. The Kona was something special. I would build a vintage restoration as it's like driving a vintage car. There's just a charm and fun to it. I restore 80's BMX as they make me feel like a kid. I also own a brand new Kona Process X Carbon, and a Nukeproof. I don't try to compare them.
Just restored and upgraded an aluminum Gary Fisher with a full Box Components 1x8 drivetrain and I love it!
The top reason I love bombing around town and light trails on 'old' mountain bikes?
It saves my very capable and expensive modern mountain bike from wear and tear.
I've stretched your timeframe a little but my 2005 DMR Switchback still fits most of your suggestions.
It was cheap, really nice lightweight steel, modern 1 1/8 headset/bb/disc brake mounts and so on.
I've built it up with an old Marzocchi Bomber, SLX 1x10, Deore brakes and other 'dated' but still really nice components that aren't worth much now.
And I freaking love it, it huge fun on gravel, XC and around town
I love this channel more of because of You and your ability to transform a bike from junk to a prized possession that is awesome and performs under pressure! I’m way older than most of Your subscribers probably I got my first bike in the 60s! Had a beautiful Schwinn rode bike
In the late 80s are early nineties! It was the best bike I ever owned! But would love a newer mt bike! Just to ride! Like I said I love to watch You rebuild and modify a bike because it’s an art that is being lost in this day and age! God Bless You keep up the awesome restorations!🙏😊👍
I agree with 90 % with your opinion, I to have a pare of vintage bikes one is my ht specialized hr and the other is a original trek diesel dh I love them both and will continue to ride them
Love my late 90s and early 2000s Kona hardtails (Kula and Kula Deluxe).
Still going strong today with some choice, affordable upgrades.
Also, 26 inch means my wife and daughters (short legged) can ride them comfortably.
Hard to source forks and wheels nowadays but not impossible.
Keep on being amazing Mr Oldshovel. Cheers 👍👍👍
Amen! 1996 Rockhopper rigid is all around one of the best bikes I have ever ridden and I have owned and ridden a lot of bikes
Jajaja because of you, i bought a 26" (i have an 29er too) but the little one it's more easy to move in traffic, can park almost anywhere, and i do little bit mechanic part too. I'm from Mexico and 26 are cheap but many of them are crap in second hand store. Thanks bro!!
I’ve been buying retro mountain bikes since 2016 I’ve been collecting them I’ve rode them and from my honest opinion…. 4130 cromoly frames are absolutely ridiculous they last for 20 years take a massive beating I even threw a 1996 trek of a building once 🤭the frame didn’t even get a dent
Yes. My take on the 90s mountain bike is somewhere between your #2 and #3. They are kinda’ blank slates - a tabula rasa, if you want to sound fancy.
You can make a 90s MTB into nearly anything. A gravel bike? Sure. A cruiser? Why not. A town bike? Absolutely.
I just did a build for my law partner’s son to take to college with a 1996 Cannondale M200 frame (yeah, I know. Aluminum.). It is PERFECT for the job. 1x9 with Advent. Beefy, fun, and able to carry plenty of stuff. I put nice, cushy slick tires on it. It’ll be great.
Everything but the frame is new. I must say, it wasn’t cheap.
Very good to hear owning several 1990's MTBs and great video, I kinda agree that they are versatile ,easy to ride and lighter than their modern counterparts. I am mostly equiping my bikes with shimanoXT-780t and mavic custom built rims formaximum durability.
Great Video! I love it, I really like your passion that you express. Great reasons!
My most recent bike is a late 90's Merida Matts with full Deore blue group set, which appeared to only have about a year's worth of wear on it. Good value.
Wish I still had my Marin Bear Valley, However. Found my old Orange Gringo from around 2000, thought my parents had thrown it out. This has been a real inspiration, I was going to chuck it and spend just under £1000 getting a 21st century bike but now going to get her sorted and be out there this summer.
I have the exact same Giant you started with! I still have it, and I think it's a cool bike, for what it is. It rides pretty nicely. I use it as a path cruiser.