Been visiting here for quiet a while so its about time I actually posted my bike. I should point out now that although its old, there is quite a lot of modern stuff on it. Before I get flamed I must say that up till a few years ago it was my only bike and ive owned it since new so therefore its been used and bits had to be replaced 
Ok, this is my bike, a 1992 Breezer Lightning Pro. I bought this in 1994 although I am the original owner. The story goes that ATB Sales (life long Marin importer) bought Breezers into the UK in 1992 and they sold cosmetic seconds out of the factory to local residents. I wandered up there sometimes in 1992 and spotted a couple of Sky's but for some reason I went to Halfords and bought a Raleigh Apex?! A couple of my friends had Sky's and when it came to getting a new bike in 1994 I went up there again to see what Marins they had.
Wandering around their warehouse I spotted the Lightning Pro and had to have it. It was apparently they one they took around dealers to demonstrate with the view to stocking the brand in 1992 and had just been sitting in the warehouse the last couple of years. £475 later and it was mine. Retail in 1992 was £1200 so quite a saving although still a lot of money for a 17 year old who's only income was paper rounds!
It was used as my main bike up till 2006 ish when I splashed out on a new full suspension bike. Ive since changed bikes a lot since then infact a hilarious amount come to think of it but I would never get rid of this one. It only has the odd outing now like on the London to Brighton or the Brighton Big Dog last year when I did the one lapper thingy as other retro bikers were going.
As mentioned at the top, bits have worn out and been replaced over the years. Think I nuked the XC Pro cassette first although carried on using that wheel on my uni/commuting Carrera just with a few teeth missing. Oddly I picked up a NOS cassette off ebay the other day for a tenner. I recall one ride where I snapped a chainring bolt on the granny ring which in turn maimed that. Had to use my friends sunglasses strap to tie it round the bottom bracket heh.
Sometime in late 95 or perhaps 96 I put some Marzocchie Zokes on it. They were then replaced by some RC36 MXCD's and it stayed with them for a long time. Other drive train bits were upgraded as they wore out, now even has disc compatible hubs on ahem. When I semi retired it I stupidly sold the forks which I regret to this day. I have picked up some more but still looking for a suitable steerer hence why the flex stem is on it at the moment to give my wrists some protection and it is from the same era.
Ive been on many amazing rides with it, countless miles. The only time ive broken a bone was on it in Friston Forest when I hit a tree with a loud crack. First question to my friend was, "is the frame ok??" when he said yes I was confused then shortly afterwards the agony of my snapped collar bone got my attention. I couldnt ride for 18 months but you know, bones heal, Breezers might not heh.
First lot of photos are from the Brighton Big Dog last year.
One after that must be 95/96 as its still rigid but has front V brakes and the complete XC Pro drivetrain
Last two were from a weekend away during my placement year at uni so 1997 ish. Nice photo going through a field then one showing utter incompetence when I stopped on a downhill and spd crashed ahem, luckily the nettles were quite soft and cushioning although incredibly itchy!
I have the 1992 Brochure scanned in which I will upload and some press articles on the bikes.
Ok, this is my bike, a 1992 Breezer Lightning Pro. I bought this in 1994 although I am the original owner. The story goes that ATB Sales (life long Marin importer) bought Breezers into the UK in 1992 and they sold cosmetic seconds out of the factory to local residents. I wandered up there sometimes in 1992 and spotted a couple of Sky's but for some reason I went to Halfords and bought a Raleigh Apex?! A couple of my friends had Sky's and when it came to getting a new bike in 1994 I went up there again to see what Marins they had.
Wandering around their warehouse I spotted the Lightning Pro and had to have it. It was apparently they one they took around dealers to demonstrate with the view to stocking the brand in 1992 and had just been sitting in the warehouse the last couple of years. £475 later and it was mine. Retail in 1992 was £1200 so quite a saving although still a lot of money for a 17 year old who's only income was paper rounds!
It was used as my main bike up till 2006 ish when I splashed out on a new full suspension bike. Ive since changed bikes a lot since then infact a hilarious amount come to think of it but I would never get rid of this one. It only has the odd outing now like on the London to Brighton or the Brighton Big Dog last year when I did the one lapper thingy as other retro bikers were going.
As mentioned at the top, bits have worn out and been replaced over the years. Think I nuked the XC Pro cassette first although carried on using that wheel on my uni/commuting Carrera just with a few teeth missing. Oddly I picked up a NOS cassette off ebay the other day for a tenner. I recall one ride where I snapped a chainring bolt on the granny ring which in turn maimed that. Had to use my friends sunglasses strap to tie it round the bottom bracket heh.
Sometime in late 95 or perhaps 96 I put some Marzocchie Zokes on it. They were then replaced by some RC36 MXCD's and it stayed with them for a long time. Other drive train bits were upgraded as they wore out, now even has disc compatible hubs on ahem. When I semi retired it I stupidly sold the forks which I regret to this day. I have picked up some more but still looking for a suitable steerer hence why the flex stem is on it at the moment to give my wrists some protection and it is from the same era.
Ive been on many amazing rides with it, countless miles. The only time ive broken a bone was on it in Friston Forest when I hit a tree with a loud crack. First question to my friend was, "is the frame ok??" when he said yes I was confused then shortly afterwards the agony of my snapped collar bone got my attention. I couldnt ride for 18 months but you know, bones heal, Breezers might not heh.
First lot of photos are from the Brighton Big Dog last year.
One after that must be 95/96 as its still rigid but has front V brakes and the complete XC Pro drivetrain
Last two were from a weekend away during my placement year at uni so 1997 ish. Nice photo going through a field then one showing utter incompetence when I stopped on a downhill and spd crashed ahem, luckily the nettles were quite soft and cushioning although incredibly itchy!
I have the 1992 Brochure scanned in which I will upload and some press articles on the bikes.
