Panasonic Mountain Cat

[Elev12k]

The MC 6500 has a DX group and Tange Infiniti tubing and the MC 5500 has a LX group and Tange Infiniti tubing. The bikes were part of the 'Sport Racing' series. For competition Panasonic carried the 'Real Racing' series. I think you could compare them to mid range offerings from other brands, like for example GT Karakoram or Scott Boulder.

A significant difference between the Panasonics MC6500/5500 and the two other bikes is that the Panasonic frame uses a lugged construction.

The 'Real Racing' Panasonic mountainbikes start with this MC Expert -->

 

[Soren]

Thanks, it makes sense!

The problem is that I never saw/find a MC Expert, but I recently find a MC 5500, lugged! And I find very, but VERY little information on google.

 

[danson67]

Why are Panasonic so rare on this forum?

There's loads of Panaracer tyres, though All part of Matsushita...
Did Zyro/Ron Kitching ever distribute the bikes in the UK? They've done the tyres for ever.

All the best,

 

[FluffyChicken]

I would say that bike is 1992 model.

 

[Elev12k]

Thanks, it makes sense!

The problem is that I never saw/find a MC Expert, but I recently find a MC 5500, lugged! And I find very, but VERY little information on google.

I've had two MC 6500, a 1991 and 1992. The later had more oversized tubing. I have also had a MC 5500. All nice bikes.

This is my current MC COMP -->