Why do you do it.....?

[Benandemu]

Most of us grew up in the era that Mountain Biking was flourishing. We shared dreams and hopes of one day owning the race bikes we drooled over in shops and magazines.
The majority of us were probably at school or students and couldn't afford such exotic kit, but the dream never died!

These bikes were different, in their ability, styling, and often bespoke nature, but most importantly their character. They may not ride better than modern bikes, but they have more soul and passion at trying to. Anybody and everybody was having a go at the making the best component and sticking it to the big guys. The shear mass of custom cnc parts knocking around was amazing.

A lot of us probably came from a time when riding was more about skill and less about 'travel' and 'tyre width' to ride across wet wooden bridges in a forest trail with no chicken wire on!! I remember that thinner tyres were better because they made you faster. Imagine selling that to the youth today.

The possibilities are endless.

 

[WD Pro]

^^ 1.5" hard packs rule !

 

[conceptsails]

for me, this is all stuff that was un affordable when it was current, and as I was a teenager back in the early 90s, i used to get rather obsessive about these bikes, drooling over them at the xc meets but could never realisclly own one. Now I can ralistically own one and its great!!!

 

[Neil G]

Because the years between 1990 and 1994 were the best of my life and I just cant let go
The only other forum I use is www.backtotheoldskool.co.uk
That should explain

I'd second that. For me it was a period when I lived MTB 24/7 and had such passion for the bikes & scene etc.

I just find owning and riding a retrobike a bit of an 'event' unlke riding newer machines

 

[barry2017]

Almost nothing that's available now is designed the way I want, but before about 1991 everything was. Early MTBs were multipurpose, machines that could do anything; that idea seems to have vanished and designs are now so function specific.
Honestly, my only alternative to my new HKEK (see my wanted post) was getting a custom frame. I was considering a Mercian Canyon, but it would have worked out at 10 times the price, and the quality wouldn't have been any better.
So retro bikes for me all the way.

 

[Grannygrinder]

Absolutely.

Exactly what conceptsails said. I've had modern big money bikes but due to kids,work etc the time spent on the trails nowhere near justifies the expense. Plus tinkering with bikes is like therapy for me,some people get in from work on have a bath or maybe pour a scotch,I go to the shed flick on radio 2 and tinker for an hour then have a bath. it keeps me sane(sort of!).

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

Because there's nothing like wrenching on bikes and creating something that rides so well. Also because it's one of the best investments you can make right now.