So left out

[DHSlammer]

Do you have to have started with an Orange, Kona or Pace to get into the Retro Bike club like a secret handshake?? Is GT an acceptable 2nd choice? Seems like everyone either currently or historically has had one of these bikes. Is it a UK thing? Out of those really only GT was very popular in the US, Kona has always been a bit of a boutique/nitch brand and hardly anyone has heard of Orange or pace on this side of the water. Just curious.

(For the record, in my list of bikes owned are a couple GTs and a Kona - the three of which are all full suspension bikes - click the link to my full bike ownership history in my sig for details if interested)

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

There's a Retrobike Club?

I agree with Orange and Pace...they weren't sold in the LBS, and probably were only available through catalog.

Kona always had a good following here in the states, but wasn't as big as Trek, Specialized, GT, and Cannondale in terms of volume.

Retrobike just needs more US members...hey, if one of the mods would be so kind as to send me a bunch of Retrobike Swagg (gear), especially decals, I'll be happy to promote hear in New York City.

This is a really great site, and while there are other retro forums, they are usually dedicated to one make/model or part of a bigger forum. We need to spread the Retrobike word here in the states :twisted:

 

[pete_mcc]

I've never owned any of these and I'm a Brit!
But to be honest it does seem to be that those people in the UK who were into their bikes BITD owned one of these at some point, I just always took the path least trod and bought odd bikes like Cinelli, Fat Chance or went down the custom route.
Orange and Kona were the 'proper' bikes of the day, swimming against a tide of wannabe Raleighs and Apollos (think Huffy). Pace were for the rich kids or those who raced (they cost 3 times what a cindercone would set you back!)

We never really had the choice that you guys had so we heavily relied on our UK brands and those of our Canadian cousins who understood the concept of mud and rain a bit more than the West Coast companies of the day who were doing daft things like putting U brakes on the chainstays that clogged within 500m or having loooonngg wheelbases for those downhills that we just don't have over here. I think half the reason that East coast builders like Fat and Merlin etc did so well in Europe was that your bikes were built for similar terrain to ours. My Fat Ti is still my favourite bike for a good woodland ride.

When I lived over in PA a couple of years ago I did notice that Orange were making in-roads as were On One and Hope, I also noticed a number of Pace forks and they were all spoken of in the same way that us Brits used to discuss US parts (rare, cool and a little expensive) so maybe we are finally getting our own back on you!

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

I've never owned any of these and I'm a Brit!
But to be honest it does seem to be that those people in the UK who were into their bikes BITD owned one of these at some point, I just always took the path least trod and bought odd bikes like Cinelli, Fat Chance or went down the custom route.
Orange and Kona were the 'proper' bikes of the day, swimming against a tide of wannabe Raleighs and Apollos (think Huffy). Pace were for the rich kids or those who raced (they cost 3 times what a cindercone would set you back!)

We never really had the choice that you guys had so we heavily relied on our UK brands and those of our Canadian cousins who understood the concept of mud and rain a bit more than the West Coast companies of the day who were doing daft things like putting U brakes on the chainstays that clogged within 500m or having loooonngg wheelbases for those downhills that we just don't have over here. I think half the reason that East coast builders like Fat and Merlin etc did so well in Europe was that your bikes were built for similar terrain to ours. My Fat Ti is still my favourite bike for a good woodland ride.

When I lived over in PA a couple of years ago I did notice that Orange were making in-roads as were On One and Hope, I also noticed a number of Pace forks and they were all spoken of in the same way that us Brits used to discuss US parts (rare, cool and a little expensive) so maybe we are finally getting our own back on you!

Thanks for the insight into UK MTBs.

Pace has always been a more highend foreign alternative...don't think they are any more popular. On One is capitalizing on the single speed craze, and internet sales. Hope has always been a good option for disc brakes and hubs.

Now with internet sales, lowered interest in mountain biking here in the states and the fewer US mfgs because of it, it creates a place for UK bikes to continue growing in market share...especially if their products are better looking and functioning...and different.

 

[bagpipes]

Never owned anything other than a Rocky Mountain. It's kind of like deodorant; if it works for you then stick with it.

All the other bikes are very cool and nice to look at but I'd never buy one. Then again, some would say the same about my bikes and that just leaves more for me.

By the way, I visit the UK once or twice a year. Is there a clubhouse somewhere? I can bring some Canadian beer and some riding toques to share.

 

[Rich]

Hi DHSlammer

I think that's the great thing about this site, yes it is predominantly UK, but there's plenty of other countries represented as well as bike manufacturers...

I'd love to own a Fat Chance, or Merlin!! :roll:

Owned a couple of Treks which were great rides....

Funny you saying about the retrobike club though because I've owned an Orange, a Kona and ofcourse a Pace...heh heh...

Rich

 

[DHSlammer]

I've never owned any of these and I'm a Brit!
But to be honest it does seem to be that those people in the UK who were into their bikes BITD owned one of these at some point, I just always took the path least trod and bought odd bikes like Cinelli, Fat Chance or went down the custom route.
Orange and Kona were the 'proper' bikes of the day, swimming against a tide of wannabe Raleighs and Apollos (think Huffy). Pace were for the rich kids or those who raced (they cost 3 times what a cindercone would set you back!)

We never really had the choice that you guys had so we heavily relied on our UK brands and those of our Canadian cousins who understood the concept of mud and rain a bit more than the West Coast companies of the day who were doing daft things like putting U brakes on the chainstays that clogged within 500m or having loooonngg wheelbases for those downhills that we just don't have over here. I think half the reason that East coast builders like Fat and Merlin etc did so well in Europe was that your bikes were built for similar terrain to ours. My Fat Ti is still my favourite bike for a good woodland ride.

When I lived over in PA a couple of years ago I did notice that Orange were making in-roads as were On One and Hope, I also noticed a number of Pace forks and they were all spoken of in the same way that us Brits used to discuss US parts (rare, cool and a little expensive) so maybe we are finally getting our own back on you!

What is this mud and rain you speak of?

I am in the land of extreme downhill among other things like some of the most wicked singletrack around. The least technical riding around here can easily send beginners to the ER, just like I like it. Luckily it is so rocky that when it rains you can sometimes get BETTER traction because the dust is rinsed from the rocks on some trails. Also no erosion issues on solid rock.

Has anyone seen the "Real" series of MTB videos? Mostly filmed here in Santa Barbara by my riding pals. Gotta see "Real Simple" if you like highly technical rock garden DH.

Real Simple: Great Retro Old School extreme riding vid featuring GT LTS, San Andreas and more.

http://www.solidphoto.com/videos/real_simple.asp

 

[orange71]

I like to hope we're a pretty welcoming and inclusive bunch here - boys and girls from the UK and abroad.

Of the list above I've only owned an Orange (X1) and that was because it was a full suss available in my LBS that came rated in the magazines and was built for British conditions and at the right price as frame only. That's all, no conspiracy!

Welcome one and all. I for one am very envious of those in the States as you''ve only got to look through craigslist and find all sorts of bargainous bikes I would drool over. We have to work much harder over here to find such exotica.

 

[DHSlammer]

I like to hope we're a pretty welcoming and inclusive bunch here - boys and girls from the UK and abroad.

Of the list above I've only owned an Orange (X1) and that was because it was a full suss available in my LBS that came rated in the magazines and was built for British conditions and at the right price as frame only. That's all, no conspiracy!

Welcome one and all. I for one am very envious of those in the States as you''ve only got to look through craigslist and find all sorts of bargainous bikes I would drool over. We have to work much harder over here to find such exotica.

Definitely a very welcoming bunch!

I was just so bombarded with brands I am familiar with but dont hear much about over here is all. Having worked in a LBS part and full time over 10+ years during my high school and college days I am quite familiar with these brands but as mentioned, just dont hear nearly as much over here about Orange or Pace in 10 years as I have in the last 2 weeks. Hope became a household word during the DH boom of the early '00s though I was partial to Magura Gustav M.

 

[Kestonian]

Faster and faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death

With a quote like that in your sig, it sounds to me like you need a Yeti



oh, and I have an AS-3 you might like ....