Could this be the earliest Team Marin ever??

[RetroBikeCollecter]

I recently picked up this early Team Marin, I have never seen one in this colour or with lugged frame?

Can anyone enlighten me? I believe it could be a 1987/88??

I dont believe the LX rear mech is right, it should XT/DX.
It also has a Specialized Chainring fitted, and black Panaracer tyres but apart from that it all looks original

 

[JCS]

@Tootyred

 

[27motorhead]

@Tootyred

Ha! was about to tag @Tootyred too!

Lovely machine! Pretty sure it's an 1988.

 

[doctor-bond]

Pine Mountain from 88. Was top of the steel range then; badged as a team for 89?

 

[brocklanders023]

We discussed this before and no one was sure if it actually was a Team tbh. The decals look 90, DX was 90 but the frame defo isn’t. Maybe a rebadged Pine Mountain?

 

[gtturbo]

Agree an 88 Pine Mountain I would say as.well. To my knowledge the team was only first released in the 89 line up and that was with a non lugged frame. The type of Araya decals on the wheels are 1990 onwards as we're RM17's iirc. 89 and prior it was RM20s and 25s. I think it's an 88 Pine with some slightly newer parts fitted.

 

[RetroBikeCollecter]

Ok so were saying its an 88 Pine Mountain, with Team Marin decals.

So would this of been done at the factory or dealer?

Also where would the frame been made? Taiwan?

If restoring, would you restore as is, or back to Pine Mountain? Dont know a lot about early Marins.

 

[brocklanders023]

My best guess would be that someone wanted a Team bitd but couldn't afford it so made a different bike look like one. It was easy enough to get decal kits back then. They've made an effort to put Marin parts on the bike but it's a bit of a mix up of early 90's.

 

[gtturbo]

I'm with @brocklanders023. A previous owner applied the decals would also be my guess.

 

[lukewheels]

The downtube stickers look too far up maybe, look like the 90 graphics? Great bike though.