What is it please peeps

[smashford]

ridgeback!

Not that many bikes bitd had u brakes!

Errrrmmmm.... actually a huge number of bikes from many manufacturers made between 87 and 91 had U-brakes, I personally own 4 from different manufacturers - Rocky Mountain, Diamond Back, Univega and Fisher MountainBikes.

aahhh what, that's no help, does that mean we're still no where near identifying it?
Any ideas on where to scrape off some paint on the hunt for the frame number?

 

[smashford]

ridgeback!

Not that many bikes bitd had u brakes!

Errrrmmmm.... actually a huge number of bikes from many manufacturers made between 87 and 91 had U-brakes, I personally own 4 from different manufacturers - Rocky Mountain, Diamond Back, Univega and Fisher MountainBikes.

aahhh what, that's no help, does that mean we're still no where near identifying it?
Any ideas on where to scrape off some paint on the hunt for the frame number?

 

[smashford]

Sam -1
Seatpost-0
(with some help from the blow torch)
25.8 is what's stamped on said post, does that get us any further?

 

[mechagouki]

I wouldn't get your hopes up about IDing the bike, there were several factories in Asia producing this kind of frame in the late 1980s and selling them to all kinds of US/UK based companies. There's nothing wrong with them, although be wary of associating XT parts with an high-end tubeset; my 1987 Fisher Montare had a full M730 XT group hung on a frame made from good old Tange MTB.

Good job on the seatpost, it's always a great feeling saving a frame from SSS (Stuck Seatpost Syndrome). 25.8 is a little uncommon - I know Peugeot have used it in 1990s aluminum frames, but that means nothing. FWIW most '80s frames that is see use 26.8, 27.0 or 27.2mm posts.

 

[smashford]

I do have to say when I saw 25.8 I thought i'd read it wrong, first I've seen. I would like to I d it but if it doesn't happen then it's not the end of the world. Was going to sell it but took it for a spin earlier and now I'm not so sure I want to.
Did old saddles have bigger rails? The seatpost clamp won't tighten down enough on any of my saddles