Best Marin steel frame from the 90's is?

[brocklanders023]

All the frames up to Eldridge were the same, above that came the finer tubesets

Not every year they weren't, the 90 Muirwoods was mostly hi-ten steel for example.

 

[retroJIM]

Don't forget the Bear Valley SE which I think had better tubing then the standard Bear Valley.

 

[BOBU]

Think mine is '96, it's Tange premium /optimum or something and the key was it was the last model pre-front shocks [ has the rockstar forks]. That made me pull the trigger when they discounted it from £1250 to £850 at Alpine Bikes Aberdeen. It's been a awesome bike....

 

[BOBU]

Bought as a pub-bike, my Bolinas Ridge may be entry level and without bells/whistles but I've been trail riding it more than the Team lately. It's bomb-proof solid and rides nicely. The frame is more harsh/stiff than the Team but putting Maxxis Icons on it at 2.2" makes it into a plush ride....

 

[Mr.Toad]

I'll put my vote in for a 1991 Team Issue. Teesdale made with Prestige tubing. Short and unique chainstays, great handling bike. Tom mentioned that he made 32-38 total that year.

 

[brocklanders023]

Yeah, that one probably!

 

[minor_LEGEND]

I have what I think is a 95 Team Marin. It's got the own branded tube set (I forget the name on the sticker, it doesn't say Tange or Prestige) but it is very thin walled & twangs nicely just like my Orange Prestige frameset.
It doesn't strike me as a much-loved specimen of Marin, as it is post Zolatone era & maybe in the shadow of anything known to be Prestige tubed. It certainly makes a nice bad-weather commuter anyhow.

 

[fearfactoryüberalles]

Get a frame with Tange Superlight tubes, they're as good as it gets, make sure it's your size and off you go! I'd say their Ti frames are also worth a look.

 

[carnell]

I'll put my vote in for a 1991 Team Issue. Teesdale made with Prestige tubing. Short and unique chainstays, great handling bike. Tom mentioned that he made 32-38 total that year.

That's very interesting, a limited run then, not something I even knew about.

 

[AGT]

My 1994 Marin Team Issue. Tange Ultimate Superlight frame.