The Collector's Edition

[Jason Fuller]

So, I've been into bikes for three full decades now but I also spent more than a decade being really into older Volkswagens. I definitely gravitated towards the historically significant models:  I had a 1992 Jetta GTX 16V, a 1984 Rabbit Pickup diesel, and perhaps most notably a 1975 Golf swallowtail with carbureted 1.5L.

My 1992 XO-1 reminds me of that '75 Golf in a lot of ways. It's historically significant, really exciting to a very select few people. It's fun to operate, raw and agile, but the vast majority of people would not understand the attraction. It's geekery at its purest.  

I've tinkered with the build, trying to balance doing it justice while also keeping the investment reasonable as my Hillborne is the "nice bike" of the fleet. I'm happy with where it's at. The only planned update is Rene Herse Elk Pass tires to replace the touring Pasela's.

[Brewster Fong]

My buddy is into MTBs and he does a "vintage" ride every year in Marin County. Basically, 90s-era mtb bikes and components are considered vintage. Last year he picked up a fairly rare Fat Chance (Yo Eddy?). All of these bikes have 26" wheels and tires (559mm). This is basically outdated technology and he loves it. Granted, he's an mtb/cross type guy and has 4 other bikes with proper 700c wheels aka 29ers and a bunch of dedicated road bikes. So if you're into vintage, look at 90s-era mtbs!  Good Luck1

[RichS]

Nice looking XO-1 Jason. Well done on your tinkering. 

VW fan here too. owned a '75 Beetle, "87 Golf (finally retired 3 yrs. ago), current Jetta owner.

Best,

Rich in ATL

[Jason Fuller]

I am also the type to prefer a tastefully modified / updated old bike that respects the original, rather than return to as original of condition as possible - same habit with VW's as well!   Hence the drop bars, etc.  

Brewster - I also have an '89 Nishiki with elevated chainstays; I am definitely into late 80's / early 90's mountain bikes; I was a teenager with posters of them on my bedroom walls when they were new!  Cheers!

[Joe Bernard]

I'm a sucker for old mountain bikes, too. There's a UK forum for them that will make your eyes water with Syncros this and Onza that and 3D Violet everywhere!

Retrobike.co.uk

[Jason Fuller]

I would suggest Trek, Gary Fisher, Marin, Kona... maybe Klein and Cannondale for some extra interest, though they don't tend to be as long-lasting!  Nishiki too - they have some of the best paint schemes!

On Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 7:41 PM S <sbl...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have been thinking about building up an 80s/90s MTB as a project. Besides Bridgestone and Specialized, what are other good candidates?

On Monday, February 10, 2020 at 3:35:12 PM UTC-8, Jason Fuller wrote:

I am also the type to prefer a tastefully modified / updated old bike that respects the original, rather than return to as original of condition as possible - same habit with VW's as well!   Hence the drop bars, etc.  

Brewster - I also have an '89 Nishiki with elevated chainstays; I am definitely into late 80's / early 90's mountain bikes; I was a teenager with posters of them on my bedroom walls when they were new!  Cheers!

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[masmojo]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CYfpvHJT2AyUQVq98

The bike in the photo is my early 90s Fat City mountain bike I raced it regularly in the early 90s. I still have it; that's my son standing in front of it at the Chuckwagon trailhead in Sadona August before last. Original Manitou suspension fork. A wonderful bike.

[Weston Hein]

Love all of your builds Jason! The XO is looking very proper, are those Crust bars?

It sounds like we've followed similar paths- I was very involved with early watercooled VW's in the early 2000's down here in Seattle. Put a MK2 GTi on airride and dual Weber carbs. I miss working on cars sometimes but I like wrenching on bikes more!