I'm 30. My first decent mtb was a '91 Hard Rock in bright pink. My Dad bought it for me second hand in around '93. Despite the colour, I loved it, but quickly outgrew it. It was really small, 26" wheels but 12" frame if I remember correctly.
Was rocking a 10 speed Peugeot Ranger in 1987. I still remember how smooth the bike felt riding along the rough gravel car park at Sundorne Rugby Club near Shrewsbury.
I have to say, this is the aspect of retrobiking that really made me jump when I attended my first ride. I couldn't believe how young most riders were.
It could also explain why some people get so hung up on certain brands and on exact componentry, as when you guys were doing paper rounds and drooling over MBUK, I was already building my own bikes.