Lost my Ascent EX at McMaster University twenty years and three weeks-ago today.
It's too bad they don't make them like this anymore--simple, lightweight, fun and with a cool paint-job. Mountain Bikes now are bizarre by comparison: bulky, heavy, cheaply painted and needing lots of maintenance. Hmmmm...if I had a time machine I'd bring back an Ascent new in the box for you and an Ascent EX for me and an Axis Team for each of us as a bonus!
Wouldn't it be great to have the old new again!
Best,
Andre