1989 Marin Eldridge info needed

[chillibiker]

Hey guys I just picked up this Marin for a parts bike but I wanted more info before i strip the parts off. I bought it mainly for the cranks, bottom bracket, wheels, and the syncros bar for my 1991 Rocky Mountain cirrus. My plan was to build it back up with some period spare parts that I have and resell the bike. I can't find any info on the year of the bike as all the other Marin's of the era are a dual colour frame not the straight red it does have the " designed by joe Murray " decal on the seat tube. My guess is that it's from 1990-92 and in the mid range category .
Any info any one can share would be awesome thanks guys

 

[Westfailure]

Re: 199? Marin Eldridge info needed

Hey guys I just picked up this Marin for a parts bike but I wanted more info before i strip the parts off. I bought it mainly for the cranks, bottom bracket, wheels, and the syncros bar for my 1991 Rocky Mountain cirrus. My plan was to build it back up with some period spare parts that I have and resell the bike. I can't find any info on the year of the bike as all the other Marin's of the era are a dual colour frame not the straight red it does have the " designed by joe Murray " decal on the seat tube. My guess is that it's from 1990-92 and in the mid range category .
Any info any one can share would be awesome thanks guys

It's pre 90. I would say 88.

Looks nice condition

Mark.

 

[retroyetirigid]

Re: 199? Marin Eldridge info needed

1989 as its 7 speed at the rear end. 1988 would have been 6 speed and 1990 would have 1st gen rapidfire.

 

[Benandemu]

Re: 199? Marin Eldridge info needed

1989

 

[chillibiker]

Re: 199? Marin Eldridge info needed

Ok thanks guys after looking closer at the 1989 shimano catalog on mombat it would indeed be a 1989. The color is probably a Canadian only color. Now with it being so original and in my size do you think it's one I should keep or just strip the parts off and resell it?

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

I always thought 1990 was the first year of the Eldridge. You learn something new everyday!

It would be a shame to split such an original bike IMO. Also your 1991 bike would have had DX, not Deore. I'd either keep it or sell complete and use the money to buy period correct parts for your other.

 

[JonTom]

Re: 199? Marin Eldridge info needed

Clean it up, put it back to original spec and enjoy the ride my friend.

 

[chillibiker]

Re: 199? Marin Eldridge info needed

Hmm decisions.... The bike is at my sisters right now as I had to get her to pick it up for me so I will get a better look and better picks hopfully next week. The things I find weird is the color and the name of the bike. I can't find any other red marins from 1989 any where on line and all of the eldridges are the eldridge grade. Was this perhaps a Canadian market only bike? I know other bike company's such as nishiki, Ritchey and even Klein and fat chance made Canadian only bikes to test the market before they were brought into the us market (the last 3 company's made them in Japan and I don't think ever made it to the us or other markets) also I bought the bike mainly for the syncros bar which is hard to find and seems to be uncut. I don't see the marin coming with that so I don't feel bad taking that for the cirrus build. The toiga t bone stem is a nice bonus as well any one know what it would have originally came with? Also there has to be some one who can answer the questions about the name and color some where on here

 

[Benandemu]

Re: 199? Marin Eldridge info needed

Eldridge was the original name given in 1989.
I'm unsure what all the different colour, and model specs were for each year, but they do differ across the continents. Some models produced were never offered to certain continents/countries.
I've actually never seen one before, only in magazines or brochures.
The stem should be a Black 1 inch Marin steel one that was pretty standard for the 88 to 90 range. The bars would have been Black ITM steel ones. Heavy, but strong and wide bars actually.
Don't split it either, as its too rare.
One other point to note is that model years are never truly accurate because specs were subject to availability and regular changes. Some bikes seem to blend 2 years together! Think of it as more of a moving feast, than an actual point in time.