5 Reasons NOT To Buy a 90s Mountain Bike

90s mountain bikes are a thing. BUT, here are 5 reasons you SHOULDN'T buy a 90s mountain bike.

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[andydinger]

Too late! Just pulled a 1990 Trek 930 from the dumpster. It will become my commuter here in Breckenridge

[joelogjam]

I'm currently working on a time machine so that I can travel back to the 90s and warn people about gravel bikes before it's too late.

[philb]

Us old guys who started riding in the 80s still really enjoy these bikes. I get where you are coming from. But in a fashion, folks new to riding are probably in your camp and you are 100% correct. I just really enjoy doing restoring & riding old bikes.

[waterboxer]

I am in the group of bicycle lovers who has plenty of space, all the tools, and the the dough to modify, repair, and maintain my small stable of 90s mountain bikes. I enjoy riding my vintage bikes as much as I like riding my modern Lynskeys, All Citys, and Surlys.

I bought three vintage steel Gary Fisher frames online and built them up using a combination of parts from the bin and parts from online vendors. In doing so, I became a better bicycle mechanic. The joy that comes from building one's bike is immeasurable.

Long live all bicycles.

[petesig]

'90s mountain bikes make for some of the VERY best expedition touring bikes. Great CroMoly steel frame, with a robust frame design and sturdy wheels, right there. Add racks front & rear, mudguards, lights, some nice panniers and you are right tour the world.

[YoSpiff]

Sounds like a better project for someone like me who has been working on his own bikes since the 80's. It's my recent bikes that are making me have to continually buy new tools.

[JimJamDaMan]

As an old bike enthusiast I have lived through all of these points. But i still love taking something unloved and about to be thrown out and turning into a work of mechanical art. I still do wish could afford something modern but I spent all my money on parts and tools.

[ddnn]

When buying a 90s mtb, I find it best to consider the price as frame only cost. If any other parts are salvageable, that’s a bonus. The sweet spot seems to be those years when threadless headsets were becoming more common, with a modern square taper bb/crankset, but before everything went aluminum with a short travel suspension fork. They make great urban commuters and bikes that can be locked up in cities without drawing too much attention from thieves. Shame the prices have sky-rocketed over the past few years.

[DavidPulsipher]

None of these reasons seem particular to 90’s bikes Russ. Each era of bikes has their own peculiarities. I have three vintage mtbs and have found all the tools, parts, readily available. Conversely - I’d have to get new tools if I bought a disc brake, external bottom bracketed bike.

I love your content as always, but feel like the title is a little misleading. Here in Denver metro, still abundant as ever. Maybe more accurate title would be “five frustrations I had with 90’s mtb’s.”

[markpeterson]

Instant gratification is hard to come by in cycling with the exception of buying a new bicycle. Building your bicycle is an equal part of cycling as an experience. As you know when you build your bicycles there is an intimacy that develops. Your bicycle stops being that shiny toy / Instant gratification and becomes a family member and part of you. This kind of experience is lost on those who buy the newest bicycle only to ride that for a season and then sell it for the next newest bicycle. It is kind of a racer mentality that has splashed on the yuppies and other non-racers. The same also generally do not work on their own bicycles. I find this to be a huge divider in the cycling community. Soul bicycling vs. ego bicycling. I choose Soul. Cheers M8

[donhuber]

I still have my 90s Univega Alpina Pro. I use it for my 1.2 mile commute to work. That little two and a half mile round trip cures me of any urge to take it beyond the city limits where my Surly rules.

[abatecruento]

I agree with everything. in this period I have lots of free time and absolutely zero money, so going for an old Scott Sawtooth (probably '92-'93) was the way to go
it's been kinda fiddly to raise the bars a bit, but in the end I got myself a nice durable steel bike with 3x7 cantilever groupset, which is easy to maintain, with relatively cheap and easy to find spare parts - more often than not buying another whole used bike with the parts you need is cheaper than sourcing new parts. does it have the best handling? what do I know, probably not, but let's just ride reasonably priced bikes and especially ride what we have

Anyway that's all thanks to you Russ, before going party pace I used to wear spandex and torture my butt on 23s, while getting my feet either frozen in the winter or boiled in the summer in the one pair of spd shoes I could afford

[zepolekul]

I got a 1989 Bridgestone MB-2 a couple years ago and I love it. It’s my all-road bike. I loved it so much, a year later I found a 1989 MB-4 in a rad 90’s colorway. 26 inch is not dead!!

[xNeeLx]

Got a DB ascent from the 90’s two months ago for just $20 on market( ik I totally stole it) it was in great condition besides for the classic gunky 3x7 sti shifters. Short long story, converted in 1x10, throw some kyote bars and that was it. End result, the thing totally rips! Can’t wait to ride it through all the season!

[Spindatt]

It’s the tinkering that makes them fun! Capable too, but like… I like new bikes too.

[kossmanneault]

love old mtbs, all your points are accurate. Please keep pointing out while the old MTBs are bad so the prices drop!

[zalsentzer]

A well rounded and balanced commentary. I love my early 90s Diamondback Axis, kitted out with drop bars and a 1x8 drivetrain. Works great as my daily commuter, a touring rig, and also a dirt/gravel bomber. Bought it for $200 and probably have another $200 into it. It's fun, one-of-a-kind, fits me great, and gets a lot of compliments.

[alexfitch]

All of these same reasons can be applied to buying any older bike. I will say that is part of the fun and charm- reviving something old, and giving it a new life. Finding an old part, and getting an eclectic and personalized mismatch of parts is part of making a bike unique. Who else will have a build like it?? So many new bikes completely lack that personal touch, and everyone has the same bike lol : )

[MrSchattka]

Still enjoy my 3X7 steel frame mountain bike from the 90's.

[philtomlinson]

So the Crust, Rivendell and Bearclaw are safe for now!