The ten most important mountainbikes

[Elev12k]

There was an article in an US mag a couple of years ago that covered exactly that question.

Lets see whether I can still find it.

Viola

Schwinn
Breezer
Cunningham
Stumpjumper
Fat City & Merlin
Bontrager
MC San Andreas
AMP
SC Tazmon
Outland
Nog wat

 

[KeepItSteel]

I havent ever heard of half the bikes mentioned previously in the thread, and dont know enough about the 'way back when' days, so in terms of importance I would have to vote for the bikes that broke through into the mainstream back in the 90's and stole the imagination of the masses, ie, me n my mates!

GT ZASKAR - Hans Rey launched a thousand sales
Klein MANTRA
PACE RC series
STUMPY - JMC inspired
ProFlex
Cannondale Raven
Cannondale M series
Klein - anything else with a crazy paintjob
GT LTS/RTS
Kona - any sloping top tube steely

90's MTBing rocked

 

[kaiser]

I'm not too sure about ten bikes as it's horses for courses IMO but surely the humble raleigh mustang deserves a mention? Yes, they were not really mountain bikes in the truest sense but they influenced a whole generation of schoolkids who couldnt afford the exotic stuff... Round my way they also prompted some to save paper round money for better bikes or make bogus insurance claims

I'll prepare myself for a flaming now...

I think you should post this on VRC

 

[Neil]

How can the Raleigh Mustang not be mentioned here????

Whether it was the early Black and White 15 speeder with Sahes gears and chromed triple chainset, the later purple mist model with Tourney gears and Alloy chaiset or the Blacka dn Red mist with Tourney SIS. It's what I'd call cheap and cheerful and introduced many a child to MTB'ing.
BTW I saved enouh of my pocket money to afford a Maverick GT, but I still knew 2 of my close friends started MTB'ing with the Mustang.

Carl.

I get your point, and I agree - it was very influential at that entry point in the market. And even if it wasn't a "real" mtb in it's own right, it must surely have been the first rung on the ladder for many (including me!).

 

[jez-4-bikes-max]

 

[toons]

Mine

1) Raleigh mustang bike – next thing after a grifter
2) Tushingham – WOW first proper MTB
3) Orange clockwork – orange and white lust
4) Specialized Stump jumper – top of the range lust
5) Saracen Killi flyer Comp – Tange prestige & fillet brazing
6) RC100 – AMAZING
7) Klein Attitude Green/White/Red – Watching David Hemming Jump up & over a picnic table at Kielder, was truly amazing.
8 ) Dave Yates – custom made lust
9) Cannondale – oooooo Big Tubes
10) Off Road– oooooo Suspension

 

[drcarlos]

Mine

1) Raleigh mustang bike – next thing after a grifter
2) Tushingham – WOW first proper MTB
3) Orange clockwork – orange and white lust
4) Specialized Stump jumper – top of the range lust
5) Saracen Killi flyer Comp – Tange prestige & fillet brazing
6) RC100 – AMAZING
7) Klein Attitude Green/White/Red – Watching David Hemming Jump up & over a picnic table at Kielder, was truly amazing.
8 ) Dave Yates – custom made lust
9) Cannondale – oooooo Big Tubes
10) Off Road– oooooo Suspension

Yeah pretty much bang on but I would put Yeti Ultimate at number 2 as it was the exoctic bike I aspired to when I was at the Mustang level.

Carl.

 

[capitanfigueras]

P7 must be in the 10 - who doesn't regret selling theirs?

Wait lots of knowing nods and some WTFs

 

[CTK]

I like the mag top 10... but I think a Kona or Rocky Mountain should get in there. Sloping tubed steel frames are still doing it now. And they started in Canada.

 

[xced]

breezer - everyone agrees on this!
ritchey - first production frames
specialized stumpjumper - brought mtb to consumer market
cannondale m series - aluminium mass production
giant cadex/mcm - when carbon took over
merlin - titanium!
fat chance yo! eddy - really cool

then the sussers:
AMP
kona stinky
ibis mojo SL