Hey,
Just finished my Al Carter Professional had her out on the road a few times and it feels great (Nice and heavy ) first time its been active in about ten years.

400LX Groupset
MKS Clipless pedals
Uno Kalloy
Sella Italia saddle

Cheers

Al Carter! - I'd forgotten about those.

retrobike seems to have a SMOKE FINISH theme this week

AL CARTER, were they from BOLTON oop north?

Met a chap back then who rode for them, he stopped half way up the biggest climb for a toke on his cigarette

Respect for taking the path less travelled.

What was the story with Al Carter?

Al carter was Townsends Premium brand BITD. Came out of the same factory as Fisher at the time, the Geometry on my Al Carter Black Panther was the same as a friends Fisher. I met the guy who stopped half way up the hill for a cig.

Hey GREEN RABBIT,

our paths must have definately crossed in the early 90's

So you remember Al Carter cig man too

Cliche coming up ...ITS A BLOODY SMALL WORLD!

My first mountain bike!
Assembled by Townsend in Leigh Lancs. Where I lived then.
Purchased from Atherton (nr Bolton)
£300 back then and that was it I was Hooked!!
Must be late 1980s??
Never thought I'd see one of those again

I bought the Mrs an AlCarter team Memphis DX way back.

It was painted the most disgusting green. But being colour blind i just thought it was my crap eyes! It wasnt. Its done years of good service on the turbo! Full DX groupset on it. Looks cool apart from the flamin paint.

Looks like yours may be set up for the local time trials!

Cheers,Al

Ha, I used to work for Townsend Cycles at there response mill driving there truck for them and when it was quiet i used to help out on the production line, £2.67 per hour wages, when i was on the production line my job was to put reflectors on the bikes 100 a day would guarantee me a huge £10 bonus at the end of the week.

After i was sacked from there i went to work in a cycle shop in Atherton (Cycleworld) which i reckon would of been where you bought your bike from.

No wonder you were sacked. How could they afford to pay those sorts of wages!

Al.

Yes it was Bag Lane, near Barrs Drinks.
Thinking back they sold DB, Scott, Muddy Fox etc but this bloke who worked for Townsend talked me round to this. Weighed a fair bit but was ok. I sold it to a work mate who still has it.

That bike brings back loads of happy memories!
There were a lot of Al Carters around back in the early 90's, when I made a feeble attempt at racing (the less said the better, picky below of me not falling off, for once).
They were so popular because you could get a full XT groupset and a alloy
frame for at least £150 less than any other bike maker, you would have been mad not to, really.
I still remember all the black and white Al Carter full page ads in MBUK.

Cracking bike, I take me hat off to ya!

Love the pic

Isn't funny though how over time all the hills have been turned round and riders can only go down now instead of up

I contacted my work mate and he still has my old Al Carter in his garage!!
Already asked him if he really needs it still.
It would be nice to see it again as it was my first MTB and also to add an 80's bike to the fleet.
Can't have too many Bikes

ha ha i got a few bikes from there (cycleworld) back in the day