Ultimate 80's- Nominations please.

[FluffyChicken]

So, we're showing these aliens our top technology and innovations and pull out a Kona/Overburys/Cunningham....

'As you can see this bike has a sloping top tube'
'Whats thats for?'
'Well, so you don't smack yer bawz of course :roll: '

Problem is 10 years is a long time in MTB history. What was cutting edge in 1981 wasn't in 1989.
So it may as well be what is the best brand followed by retrobikers at the end of the decade a few decades on.

My opinion
The PACE nope, as it's design is not used, not even by the company itself
As much as I'm not a fan of Kona's I do have to admit that that design is still in use today as with many of the other bikes. But it's not glamorous to be voted in.

Anyways, none of this is the point of Dr S's thread, that would be the point of the poll :twisted:
And I wish to see a bike of the 80's, preferably with no modern 90's+ bits on BoTM. See them in the photo-flesh.

Anything I would put forward like the Rocky Mountain Wedge while doing Kona's design before them (or even a GT Timberline of '85 I see on mombat).... certainly wouldn't voted in. Not not cool looking enough
A Fat Chance Wiked while looking like the early to mid 90's hardtail bike many people aspire to, but built in the late '89 for example.. It would have more chance as there are more fans for Fat Chance's


So I'll put forward the Moulton ATB 1989 for a full suspension design and practical too.
Front Sus or Rigid will not cut it in the technology states.

I did want to put the '89 Mantis just to humour the aliens, but it's not all 80's

 

[KermitGKona88]

Wicked paint job on the Mantis, and if the frame was available in the 80's a worthy contender

 

[Dr S]

Now we are getting somewhere.

It shouldn't be about what you own, aspire to, can/could afford, have tried etc... It's about a bike that impresses. It matters not if it's from 81 or 89, it just needs to be something that makes you go 'wow, check that out!'

this is pure fantassy. If you are going to pick a Kona why not go for something with the same characteristics but rarer and more glamourous? Something more left field? There were hundreds of similar bikes around and each with their own merits, so go for something outstanding.

Over the years in magazines, on websites, forums and in pubs and bars uround the world this debate has taken place. I don't ever recall a Kona being on any of those lists of the good and great. I'm not bashing Konas, I really like them and own one myself- this is not about what we own or can afford, it's an open shop. As a poster has pointed out above- AIM HIGH!!

Fluffy has got the idea spot on- not bikes we might own or even aspire to, but different, innovative, slightly oddball and an evolutionary dead end perhaps. However you look at them, if one rode past on the street you would stop, stare and sagely nod 'Cool'!

I know you could argue that if a guy rode past on a mint splatter paint Kona you would do the same ( I like old bikes- hell I got excited seeing some old bloke on a mid 1980's low end Trek last week), but imagine if something high end/ wierd/ kooky/ rare and mint went past?

So crack on, the spaceship is ready to go!!

That's what it's about guys.

 

[Dr S]

Going by the OP, Offroad Proflex was the most futuristic. But I might be a little early for bikes actually on sale, they released in 1990 but that might be model year which means they were around at the very end of 1989.

this is a good opportunity to clarify the rules. If that bike existed in the 80's even as a prototype then it's in. Same with the Mantis. It matters not if it was widely available in the shops for purchase. It just has to exist in one form or another.

RC100 production didn't really get into full swing until 1990 and you could count the number sold in 89 on your hands and toes, but it's in because it existed.

 

[KermitGKona88]

Zinn :?: :?: with campag :?: :?:

 

[DeletedUser006]

Do these 80's numbers qualify

1985 Raleigh Maverick, long chain stay and super slack head angle

1989 Saracen Trekker Comp, double U brake

All very special in my little world

 

[paininthe]

Now we are getting somewhere.

It shouldn't be about what you own, aspire to, can/could afford, have tried etc... It's about a bike that impresses. It matters not if it's from 81 or 89, it just needs to be something that makes you go 'wow, check that out!'

this is pure fantassy.

Now this is clarified,

This I saw for for the first time today and shocked, if i'd have seen this mid 80s (not sure of it's date) I wouldn't have been the same person I am today!

Pic removed - 90s

 

[legrandefromage]

So, we're showing these aliens our top technology and innovations and pull out a Kona/Overburys/Cunningham....

'As you can see this bike has a sloping top tube'
'Whats thats for?'
'Well, so you don't smack yer bawz of course :roll: '

I think it was more to do with compact geometry rather than ba bag safety.

 

[Dr S]

Breezer Beamer is cool but alas came out in 1993.

You could have the Breezer Kite though which was built in 1989.

Si

 

[kaiser]

When did the San Andreas come out? I'm sure it was alot earlier than folks think.