You could be right about it being an 87 bike although I think the spec ran through to 88 as well. That brings back a lot of memories. In 1987 when I was 16 I almost bought a red Hardrock with U-brakes with the money I'd saved from my part time job. Unfortunately I didn't get it as I also started...
My Yeti ASX resembles the e-stay design and I love it. Not a great fan of the hardtail e-stays though. Having said that I only ever rode one once (Alpinestars) and I can't even remember if I liked it or not.
Mmmmm........for me.
I've had quite a few in my time. My first raleigh was a non descript touring style bike with flat bars in 1979 or so. I then got a 10 speed racing bike in 1981, can't remember the model but there's a photo of me in my pyjamas on Christmas morning looking very pleased. I changed that bike 3 or 4...
A 15 speed Raleigh Maverick was my first MTB. It was a 19 or 20" frame which fitted me just fine. Bought in 1984 for 175 pounds. I can still remember feeling on top of the world as I cycled through Aberdeen to the train station to take it home.