Can anyone identify my bike?

[axiome24]

I've had this from new since 1990-ish. It's an Edridge Grade but I just want to confirm the exact year.
I think it's either a 89 or 90 but I can't find a catalogue with this colour option , Zolatone/Orange. I removed all the decals when I first got it and now want to replace them.
I've found the main decal but all the others online are in red. Any help would be most appreciated.
Cheers
Jon

 

[legrandefromage]

Looking like a 1992 or later

Shimano parts have date codes which helps

https://vintagecannondale.com/info/shimano/

 

[kingoffootball]

Dark Zolatone + Afterburner stays = 1991 model I think. Eldridge was neon red and Pine Mountain neon orange, so is it possible yours is a neon red that has lightened over time?

 

[kingoffootball]

Catalogue here:

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/archive/1991-marin-catalogue.527/download

 

[JohnAcrossPond]

The brakes look like Shimano BR-M502 (or BR-M501 but I think those were black) , and the Shimano data sheet has a date of June 1991, so I would agree that a 1992 or later bike is more likely. However, 1991 is still possible.
Looking at the 1990 catalog the Marin logo was in white that year so no match there. I didn't locate a 1989 catalog, but that's unlikely anyways.
The 1993 is also out because of the white Marin logo and it doesn't look like your bike.

In the 1991 catalog the color for the Eldridge Grade model is the Charcoal Zolatone 2000 Frame with neon Red stem, bar and fork.

Also in 1991 catalog the color of the Pine Mountain model is Charcoal Zolatone 2000 Frame with neon Orange stem, bar and fork.

Both those 1991 bikes look like they have black cantilever brakes instead of silver alloy, but catalog shots are often pre-production bikes.

In the 1992 catalog the Eldridge Grade model has more of a satin black frame with neon red stem, bar and fork.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Dark Zolatone = 1991 model I think. Eldridge was neon red and Pine Mountain neon orange, so is it possible yours is a neon red that has lightened over time?

Those flouro colours are prone to serious lightening - I assume its uv exposure but might just be time.

 

[JohnAcrossPond]

Dark Zolatone = 1991 model I think. Eldridge was neon red and Pine Mountain neon orange, so is it possible yours is a neon red that has lightened over time?

I like that idea that the neon red has lightened up and is now more orange. Add yellow sun to red and get orange.

The 1991 Pine Mountain model with orange neon also has a short cage rear derailleur which is different from the picture of the bike axiome24 posted.

If the main decal looks good to you in orange then I would get the Pine Mountain set and just not use the model name ones.

 

[ishaw]

My gut things Eldridge Grade.

 

[axiome24]

Thanks for your info guys, I am 100% certain is is fluro orange not red + it has hardly been exposed to the sun in 30 odd years. I purchased it specifically because of the colour. It's definitely an Eldridge Grade as I kept the decals on for 5 years. Think I'll use the Pine Mountain Decals (just not the model one),,cheers

 

[ishaw]

Someone at my school had one just like this in 91/2. I remember well as they were hit by a car and got a replacement which was the black model, not zolatone.

It was around the same time I got my RTS-2 which was 92, so I'd say 91 for the Eldridge year.