853 tubed frames, any thoughts?

[mk one]

I agree, Marin's are great riding frames, regardless of tubeset.

And i have also rode many frames, old and new from all makes of tubing, and the ride varies so much, even between same tubing. Personally though i prefer Tange Prestige and its variants, never rode a bad one.

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

Is it one of the early nickel team prestige with the long top tube? If so that’s a wonderful ride.....miss the one I had....

 

[LeeDevelopment]

I have an oversized tubed 853 Arthur Caygill that is about to be fully modernised. It rides AMAZINGLY well.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

I can tell you my 97 MaxOR Kona Explosif rides very nice, it a world apart form the lower end Kona's or my Kilauea 93 they uses Tange Concept.
The 91 Rocky Altitude uses Ritchey spec prestige, and older style external butting setup beats the 93 Concept built bike, but then it is a DeKerf built bike but my made bike.

All are dwarfed by the Altitude '93 that's uses Superlight prestige with an OX something rear end.
But the MaxOR Explosif is close and very comfy.
I'd take the 97 Explosif as the daily rider out of my bikes.

All of these dwarf the Orange Prestige ~92
I'd stay away from the stiff and soulless solid clockwork from, even my Rocky Fusion from 92 is nicer to ride than a clockwork.
I really didn't like the Clockwork.

Mid rang Marin are ok Bear Vally SE 95 level, but a bit dull in the old ride.


Unfortunately I have yet to ride a top or high end 853 frame, better yet if it was the 98 Explosif to compare against the 97.