they seem to be random but if we put them all here we might see a pattern forming.

I'll start with mine.

1992/3 18" GT XIZANG LE 3lbs 4oz - G18065 - Made in USA

Well, as the serial number of the 18" that's on E-bay now starts with G18 also (it's G18533 btw), lemme be the first to throw in the idea of "I think the first two digits are frame size"

Maybe the last 3 digits might be something as a "batch" number or run? Dunno how many were made each year, but since you don't see them around much I don't think this was anywhere near the amount of Zaskars etc coming out of the factory?

So if anyone might have an idea about the number of frames made per year, maybe you would be able to date it that way. Like G"framesize""framenumber". For example yours would be let's say a 1993 18", so 18 for size and 065 for frame number. If that other one on E-bay is a 1998 18" frame and it has 18 for size and 533 for framenumber, you could date them if there were i.e. 100 made each year (because 1993 + 5 years times 100 frames/year would end up in the 500 range right?).

Depends on when they started making these models, though... the first Xizangs were different from the ones that came in 1992/1993 IIRC?? Otherwise my thinking is complete and utter b*ll*x, since then they'd only made 65 frames in 2 or 3 years

But then again, maybe I'm way off... I just know I want one of those early Xizang frames for my collection

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Man I'm deep eh?

Mine:

G18336S Made In USA from 1993/94

Ken, yours is probably 1991/92 since you have U-brake in the rear. 1993 had already cantilever...

What I know of Xizangs is that the very first ones were actually made of STEEL in 1989!
The titanium model came in 1990(?) and had steel rear triangle. The Xizang LE was full ti (1990 or 1991). I think that the "basic" Xizang was dropped after 1991 and from that onwards only full titanium LE version was offered. They converted to cantis in the rear in 1993 model
I think that the first year that the Xizang was offered as a complete bike (after 1989) was 1994. Then it probably went to a frame-only option until 1999 when it was offered as a complete bike with the same components as Zaskar LE.

Sold a 19" frame a couple weeks ago with a serial number of: "KB 995005 19 " stamped into the bottom bracket.
I was told by the original owner that it was a 98 and it had some 98 model decals on it. I also have a GT Edge Ti road bike frame that starts with the KB.....KB GTE 9802

19" from 1992 based on the u-brake and the decals which are the sames as Ken's. "GT 19020" also stamped Made in USA.

more... This one had 98 model decals on it when I got it but we al know that really means nothing. Seems to fit the pattern of some where the size is in the serial number.

Mine is G16298, made in the USA.

1997 16".

Chris.

So it's beginning to look like the mid to late 90's all started with the frame size and then I'm guessing the last three is probably the total number for that year and guessing that number is inclusive of all sizes together as a total.

I've got 2 Sandvik titanium frames! The first is a 1993 Rock Mountain Ti Bolt 17.5". The frame number is "RM 17 020". The second is a Rektek unknown year 18". The frame number is "R 18 078". See my gallery for pics.

Me's thinking you should have started a new thread for RM's.

My Xizang has no serial number on it. I got the frame of a friend in 2000 who owns a bike ship in Chicago, who got it from the local GT wholesaler when they had a clearance sale. The only identification on the frame was 3 letters (initials?) written in felt tip pen on the top tube. My friend seemed to think it was an un-issued team frame.

Another thing that is different with this frame is the brake bosses. They take a U brake stud but are in the right place for cantis (U brake studs have a different thread and are thicker so a canti/ V brake won’t fit on them). I got a set made up with U brake thread with the thinner and longer canti stud, which has worked perfect with maguras ever since.

I too had one about 4-5 months back that was mint, very few miles and had no serial number on it. LQQK did you look under the bottom bracket cable guide? I've had a couple that where the serial number was totally hidden underneath it.

Out of curiosity I just took the bottom bracket cable guide off, no serial number there.

Mine seems a little different from the others.
96 I guess?
J

G18613 to me , MADE IN USA ; but the year ?