1997 Marin Rocky Ridge

[matthewbmiceli]

While responding to a Craigslist ad, for parts to use on my 1992 Trek 950 build, I came across this 97 Marin Rocky Ridge, all original except for seat, with some extras for $120, I am stoked.
It was hanging from the ceiling, with about 20 other bikes, in a large home on the lake in Mount Dora, FL.
I'm going to disassemble, clean, lube, new tires, grips, brake pads & enjoy!

 

[Maxipedia]

Awww! Reminds me of my 1998 Gloss Red Palisades Trail, my first ”real” MTB. Oh, and I have an Eldridge Grade from the same year in the shed, all complete, tatty but works perfectly, plus one mint 1997 Indian Fire Trail what just waits to be built up!

Nice!
Mx

 

[matthewbmiceli]

Re:

The Marin is a wonderful bike, and very minty too.
Makes me fearful of scratching it!

 

[matthewbmiceli]

Re: 97 Marin Rocky Ridge

I sent my serial numbers off to Marin bikes web site asking for specifics. The reply indicated that I have a Pine Mountain, however it clearly says Rocky Ridge. Has the same components as a 97 Pine Mountain, but it isn't.
They did not have an answer for that.

 

[matthewbmiceli]

Re:

So I've been cleaning, greasing, and detailing the Marin and I uncovered a crack in the center of the neck on the bottom. Heartbreak.
Well now I have a full LX/XT setup to rebuild my 1993 Trek Singletrack 950 with, it should be back from the powder coasters this coming week.
Then I will attempt a creative neck repair.

 

[k-rod]

Re:

So it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be then, eh ...

 

[Maxipedia]

I am very sorry to hear that! Still, I would not use those parts on a 1993 bike. On the other hand, you could just use the Shimano drivetrain bits that can be easily replaced and keep the rest to this bike. I mean everything that is in mint condition, like handlebars, stem, seatpost, seat etc.

The Marin site is wrong. The steel correspondent to the Rocky Ridge was the Eldridge Grade. The Pine Mountain had a Sugino-made White Industries crankset and Tracker front hub laced to Mavic 221 rims, together with an LX Silent Clutch in the back, whereas the Eldridge Grade and the Rocky Ridge have LX cranks and a STX-RC front hub. The seatpost is also better on the Pine Mountain.

The aluminium Indian Fire Trail, just above the the Rocky Ridge, is somewhat in-between the Pine Mountain and the Team Marin, as it has most of the Team Marin's equipment, including Mavic 217 rims to White Ind./XT wheels, but White Ind. cranks, as opposed to the 4-arm XT M739 cranks on the Team Marin.

Great bikes, nonetheless!

Mx

 

[matthewbmiceli]

Re: Marin neck crack

Thank you for the information. I really love this bike, and it has the upgraded Pine Mountain components. My other consideration was to break the Marin down, weld the crack and have a collar welded at the top and bottom of the neck to reinforce the area. Then I could repaint the area and have my precious acquisition restored.
I've seen it successfully done, I'm just not sure of the cost vs value aspect.

 

[matthewbmiceli]

Re: neck repair

My proposed neck repair would end up looking like this:

 

[Maxipedia]

I vote for the repair, but only if you also restore that headtube logo.

Oherwise, from the picture I can see that the parts look like the normal set that are the same on the Eldridge Grade. No White Ind. cranks in sight and the seatpost is just like the one on the Eldridge Grade, Palisades Trail etc.

Keep us posted!
Mx