Date my Bontrager?

[bontyfiend]

I bought a Race Lite frame from the States a few years ago. I built it up and have been using it since, but I've been meaning to get round to restoring it (paint's a bit worse for wear...)

Finally decided to send it off to the powder coaters, but I want to make sure I get the period right, colour-wise and for the decals. I'm a little confused as I was sure it was pre-Trek but it's got one-piece seatstays (see pics).

Anyone able to give a definitive year?

Thanks!

 

[holden]

I'm going to say 97 or 98.

Yes - Race Lite
Yes - post-Trek
Yes - Santa Cruz

I spoke with an ex-Bont employee awhile back: Their dropout serials mean nothing since they were stamped as a dropout then mixed into a bin and randomly selected per build.

 

[bontyfiend]

Thanks, holden.

I had a Race a while back (before it got nicked :evil: , pics below), which had two-piece stays. When I got this frame, I assumed the one-piece stays were a weight-saving feature of the Race Lite, but is it actually a cost-saving feature implemented after the takeover?

 

[holden]

but is it actually a cost-saving feature implemented after the takeover?

Not so much cost-saving as I think Bontrager did want single piece stays but didn't have the "buying power" for the tubes which Trek had.

 

[cchris2lou]

Not a bonty specialist at all , but the canti brace stop at the back would suggest pre 1996 .

 

[JustKev]

I suggest ask Hollister - an oracle of Bontrager knowledge!

 

[bontyfiend]

Thanks, MadCowKev. Ive dropped hollister a PM.

 

[hollister]

I suggest ask Hollister - an oracle of Bontrager knowledge!

blushing*

96 or up by looking at the stays

color chart for paint/decal reference

 

[Lid]

Bonties and Hershey came into the UK via Jez and The Fridge way back when. Did you ever get to any of the weekends?

 

[bontyfiend]

Thanks everyone! The chart's really useful, Hollister.

Bonties and Hershey came into the UK via Jez and The Fridge way back when. Did you ever get to any of the weekends?

I did get both the frame and cranks from Gez - it was one of the last frames he had, I got it after he stopped importing them when Bontrager sold to Trek.

I never got to any of the weekends, I was too busy working back then to pay off the frame!