Marin IFT 1993? Advice wanted

[mechagouki]

Very nice, and I like the 1993 style decals, but your bike is actually a 1992 - first year for the IFT.

 

[vmalmgren]

What indicates it's a 1992? I'm no expert, but looking at the '92 and '93 Marin catalogs, here's why I think it's a '93: 1) the original top tube decals, traces of which I discovered when I polished the frame, were the large '93 style, not the small '92 style; 2) the original purple color scheme--the '92 catalog shows green decals and parts, whereas the IFT in the '93 catalog has purple decals and parts (but maybe they both came in a variety of colors, I don't know); 3) the rims--the '93 has Mavic rims drilled for Presta valves, as does mine, the '92 has Araya rims drilled for Schrader valves; 4) the tires--I have one original tire. It's a blackwall with a maroon and yellow "Marin Lite" label, same as in the '93 catalog. The 92 is shown with tan-walled "RockStar Sierra" tires; and 5) my bike has VP-193A pedals--same as listed for the 93 IFT.

Anyway, this is all just going by the catalogs--I've never actually seen any other IFT besides mine

 

[mechagouki]

The first IFTs I saw def had the purple decals - that was in late 1992 so maybe officially a 1993 bike, the font on the original downtube decal is definitely 1992 - it was stretched for the 1993 bikes - that is the main giveaway for me.

Of course it should be noted that Marin (and many other manufacturers) commonly deviated from catalogue spec. Marin also commonly made mid-year changes to bikes for instance there are late 1991 bikes with Zolatone paint, but with the Afterburner stays which were a 1992 catalgue addition.

I actually don't ever recall seeing an IFT with green decals and parts.