For me, at the very start of the 90's, mid-range was very much price orientated, rather than bike or groupset spec. Much of it was perceived image too, some 'high-end' manufacturers would put LX groupsets on bikes to keep costs relatively low, and some lesser manufacturers would put XT onto some of their lesser models, to boost credibility.
Marin were always strange for me, as you'de have the Muirwoods, pallisades, bear valley, pine mountain and Eldridge. all were very similar in terms of component spec, but prices would vary considerably (299 for the Muirwoods, up to £500+ for the eldridge??). I don't think, purely from memory (and I stand corrected here) that specs on any of these were less than LX, or more than DX?
I had a relatively 'low spec' frame, but with a half decent DX set-up. XT (and later, XTR) were always out of reach, but I still considered my complete bike (£550 rrp) to be 'Mid-Range' even back then.
So really the only answer is the 'complete package' and whether it's a lesser frame with good components, or good frame with lesser components?? That will tell you whether it's mid-range or not
The debate continues...............
Marin were always strange for me, as you'de have the Muirwoods, pallisades, bear valley, pine mountain and Eldridge. all were very similar in terms of component spec, but prices would vary considerably (299 for the Muirwoods, up to £500+ for the eldridge??). I don't think, purely from memory (and I stand corrected here) that specs on any of these were less than LX, or more than DX?
I had a relatively 'low spec' frame, but with a half decent DX set-up. XT (and later, XTR) were always out of reach, but I still considered my complete bike (£550 rrp) to be 'Mid-Range' even back then.
So really the only answer is the 'complete package' and whether it's a lesser frame with good components, or good frame with lesser components?? That will tell you whether it's mid-range or not
The debate continues...............
