BoTM Bike of The Month August 2025 - Time to vote

Bike of The Month

Pick your winner

  • 27motorhead’s 1988 Specialized Hardrock

    Votes: 7 7.9%
  • Tootyred’s Muddy Fox Courier Comp

    Votes: 10 11.2%
  • Markoc’s Offroad MT 10+2

    Votes: 4 4.5%
  • Henrysthreeironbands’1991 Merida Albontech LX

    Votes: 2 2.2%
  • HuskyDinoBomber’s 1995 Norco Rampage

    Votes: 10 11.2%
  • Lhatch4’s 1991 Bridgestone MB-5

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • Spankyfart’s 1986/7 Cycle Tech

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • Rubon87’s 1992 Cinelli Tuttifrutti

    Votes: 20 22.5%
  • Fennec’s 1995 Novara Arriba

    Votes: 3 3.4%
  • Carge’s 1992 Breezer Sky

    Votes: 3 3.4%
  • Ingola’s BRC

    Votes: 5 5.6%
  • Kieran-b’s 1995 Monarch Pro

    Votes: 3 3.4%
  • KayOs’1987 Campus

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Pictonroad’s Claud Butler Vitara

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • Gtpulse’s Muddy Fox Courier

    Votes: 5 5.6%
  • Adiwin’s 1987 Centurion Lhasa Kathmadu

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • Nabeaquam’s 1986 Peugeot Orient Express

    Votes: 5 5.6%
  • Nic0’s Trek 830 Antelope

    Votes: 2 2.2%
  • A_Guy_Called_Graham’s 1988 Specialized Rockhopper

    Votes: 4 4.5%
  • Thias’ CATs M3

    Votes: 2 2.2%

  • Total voters
    89
  • Poll closed .
The Cinelli is a worthy winner. Not sure how the Norco made it to the voting stage? Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong frame, XT derailleurs, titanium bar, titanium seat post... A lovely bike and nicely restored but if the permitted Deore LX parts are the cheapest on there, it might not be blue collar?
 
The Cinelli is a worthy winner. Not sure how the Norco made it to the voting stage?
I can see your point about the components, but to me, the Cinelli is more questionable. What tubeset was chosen by the Milano artisan to handmake that frame? The Norco came from Taiwan. Norco attempted to position themselves as a lower cost option to Rocky Mountain and Kona.
I wonder if our geographical differences make them seem more exotic, ie Europe is far off and unusual to a Canadian reader, while a Canadian brand seems exotic to a European one
 
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Norco attempted to position themselves as a lower cost option to Rocky Mountain and Kona.
To be fair, I suppose it could be said that this was a time when Norco was attempting to bring their brand up to the higher level, change their perception to that of a higher level, more on par with the big names. They continued to make "bigger market" products, but snuck a few bangers in there.
 
I did feel the same about the Cinelli to start with but it seems they did come specced with lower end gear. It is Columbus Cromor which is a nice tubeset, I would happily spec it with some XTR and other exotic parts so I guess it is a bit fancy. I've got a flouro Serotta T-Max so they'd clash in the shed unfortunately.
 
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