1989 Giant Escaper (another tip rescue!)

[Ren Rawbor]

As promised some pics of my latest (and last, unless I want a slap!) tip-rescue. I really couldn't pass this one by for £20 though, I've been craving a bit of pre-'90 ATB action & this fits the bill just perfectly. From research I believe it's a 1989 model, being equipped with mostly Deore MT62/MT60 (Although I noticed the U-brake is Exage Mountain, as are the pedals) although not 100% on this (frame number GR976196) and would appreciate opinions/confirmation on this.

She ain't no garage queen as you can tell, but definitely not bin fodder either, only things it needed to be rideable were a seat/seatpost a bit of oil on the chain/cables & tyres pumped up. Not even a puncture! So far I've not even cleaned it up, just made it functional and adjusted the bars/controls to suit me better.

I have however, during a walk with the dog, found an abandoned Raleigh Max 21 sans-wheels from which I have liberated some cheap bar ends which should cover up the ends of the sadly-cut original grips! Some folks don't know what's good!

 

[MR OX]

Nice save

 

[Ren Rawbor]

Still not cleaned the poor thing properly, but then again I've been enjoying using it for any excuse for a trip out such is the joy of the ride. I will keep the salt off it however, but I have a feeling it'll be getting dirtier before it gets cleaner. Plan is to take it out to the local bike-friendly park and hit some of the trails there. Probably stick to the blue trails at least for the moment but I think it'd handle the red OK once my eye is back in and I'm not as likely to land heavy on those gorgeous rims.

 

[Ren Rawbor]

OK well, the Giant is officially my new favourite trail bike... The geometry just works so well for me, nice and nimble yet stable at speed, Deore drivetrain works beautifully well & the brakes are better than many more modern V-brakes somehow. Only issues being juddery front brake (My fault for not cleaning anything yet) and the fact I can't trust the tyres particularly (again, a me problem not a bike problem).

Think I will go with Duro Marvick & Raider since they've worked well on the other bikes, that and a good clean/service and maybe a crud catcher to stop the bigger chunks & it's pretty much set... All this from a bike someone threw away 2 days ago...

 

[RetroDavy]

The higher end Giant bikes of this era are massively under-rated (in my opinion). Triple butted cro-mo, well built, good components... Excellent find and save. The head badge and paint schemes are cool too.

 

[Braze O'Mar]

Definitely the 1989 version, I had the 1988 version back then. It was a great bike!

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

The higher end Giant bikes of this era are massively under-rated (in my opinion). Triple butted cro-mo, well built, good components... Excellent find and save. The head badge and paint schemes are cool too.

Agree, they don't seem to get the attention they deserve sadly. I would have this in my shed

 

[Ren Rawbor]

The higher end Giant bikes of this era are massively under-rated (in my opinion). Triple butted cro-mo, well built, good components... Excellent find and save. The head badge and paint schemes are cool too.

Definitely agreed, never really looked out a Giant in particular but just saw thumbies, Deore & bright paintwork and grabbed the chance! Glad I did now, and perhaps a Giant convert???

On another note, were Mongoose ATB frames built in Giant's factory BITD? Just watched a YT video of one and the frame is Taiwanese & very similar in build.

 

[RetroDavy]

I think Mongoose frames were built by Merida. Some at least. This is a handy page for serial numbers
"Asian Serial Number Guide - Bike Forums" https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1042901-asian-serial-number-guide.html

And this one (for BMX) references Merida too
"Vintage mongoose: Serial Numbers" https://www.vintagemongoose.com/frame/serials.php

Several Taiwanese manufacturers making good quality frames for other brands around that time.

 

[Ren Rawbor]

Thanks, will give that a read when I get minute. This morning has mostly consisted of cleaning/lubing bikes after yesterday's trip to Wythenshawe park, great fun little trails but the autumnal mix of gritstone, leaf mould & loamy soil left it's mark

Got 2 rides out of the original back tyre before it mis-shaped enough to scare me into replacing it. That's the only issue the Giant has presented though aside from the rear straddle cable not being tightened enough. Still rides beautifully.