Bike of The Month November 2025 "Amnesty Special" - now taking entries

[Uncle Grumpy]

Given I always seem to vote for the bike that ends up coming in second or third, this month is going to be even harder for me to make a selection.

How do I pick a maid of honour out of 20 bridesmaids that were my top picks in the first place?! This is gonna be tough.

 

[boy"O"boy]

Hi all.

The last 'amnesty special' saw my Pace RC100 finish a respectable 3rd!
Let's give the Ridgeback 704XT another outing.


It came 3rd in October 2018 BOTM and was entered again in Feb 2021 Steel Steeds special.
Still in the boy"O"boy collection, it's not as special as the prototypes but still a firm favorite from back in the day.

boy"O"boy's 1990 Ridgeback 704XT

Apart from the Unicorn 'Ridgeback Merlin Titanium' from the 1990 Freewheel Catalogue - this was top of the tree.
Full Tange Prestige with switchblade forks. Shimano XT group set with Mavic MA40 rims.
The colour was definitely the best in that years lineup. A capable understated race bike.

Here's the build thread -

Thread 'boy"O"boy's 1990 Ridgeback 704XT'

Jan 9, 2018

Hi All.

Way back when, my mate picked up one of these up from a Freewheel sell out day in Croydon.
Those that have been on here a while will know that I've always lusted after one of these.... but when they have come up, which is very rarely! - I've either been -
i) Selling not buying
ii) Time available but no cash
iii) Cash available but no time
iv) Moving house so no space.... ( I've moved 4 times in the last 6 years!)

So..... Last year, Just as we were packed up ready for house move number 4, and our youngest was 6 weeks old, Dossa PM's me out of the blue and asked if I'd be...

• boy"O"boy
• Replies: 37
• Forum: Reader's MTBs --> 1997

Cheers
boy"O"boy

 

[donk]

There has to be a brodie that qualifies, other than mine.....

 

[mtbkez]

Does this mean the Dyna-tech would be eligible?