Marin Bear valley?

[manc_lad]

92 decals, colours all off, no cable guide wheel on the stem. Is this a more modern BV just resprayed?

Marin Bear Valley Very Good Condition!! | eBay

<p>Marin Bear Valley. </p><p>Xl frame</p><p>26” wheels with nearly new schwalbe black jacks </p><p>21 speed </p><p>Quick release wheels and seat </p><p>Suspension seat</p><p>New seat </p><p>New pedals </p><p>New grips </p><p>New water bottle cages </p><p>Recent chain and cassette </p><p>New...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[jimo746]

I'm no expert, but was that ever a Bear Valley?? It's obviously had a "refresh", and the components are bargain basement.
Maybe someone could identify the frame features?
You could get a genuine OG Bear Valley with proper spec for not much more (and perhaps less!).
Eg... This one that sold for £85.

 

[CassidyAce]

I reckon that's a Marin due to the position of the cable guides and the curve at the top of the seat tube. But, due to the eyelets and general appearance in the region of the rear dropouts, I would not be at all surprised if it was lower down the hierarchy. In fact, it looks very much like a 1995 Hawk Hill. For comparison: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/fs-marin-hawk-hill.186663/

 

[Tootyred]

It doesn't have cast dropouts and it looks like 1 1/8" steerer, which points to 90/91.

 

[manc_lad]

Not sure it's a 90/91 with the bridged cable guide behind the seat post.

 

[manc_lad]

Ah, think I've found it. The 1996 Bear Valley looks spot on. Must have been a F&F and he's added older decals and entry level components. That's my guess.

 

[Tootyred]

The one in the ebay ad, doesn't have afterburners, nor does it have cast rear dropout.

Both features were introduced in 90/91. So it must be around that date or before.

Like i said, it looks like 11/8" steerer, so im going for 90/91 as pre 90 they were 1"

 

[manc_lad]

Think your right looking at it again.

 

[CassidyAce]

1990/91 looks very similar but aren't the seat stays a little different from the bike in the ad, both in shape and finish where they meet the dropouts? For comparison: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/my-marin-bear-valley-1990-project-finished-14-2-15.307076/