Full rigid 90's Stumpjumper vs full rigid 90's Marin? Any other decent quality full rigid 90's brands that won't break the bank?

[Splatter Paint]

I always find 90s Marins are dull to ride. I’d go for a steel Stumpy personally.

 

[Norwood42]

I always find 90s Marins are dull to ride. I’d go for a steel Stumpy personally.

Do you mean for off roaming? Asking as I’ll just be using it for fairly flat riding canal tow paths etc….

 

[doctor-bond]

KHS. True temper steel: massively underrated.

 

[shedobits]

Trek, again much underrated.

 

[Splatter Paint]

Do you mean for off roaming? Asking as I’ll just be using it for fairly flat riding canal tow paths etc….

Just boring really. No excitement. They never gave me the urge to let rip / go faster. Depends what you style of bike you want, donkey, cart horse or race horse!

 

[brocklanders023]

Just boring really. No excitement. They never gave me the urge to let rip / go faster. Depends what you style of bike you want, donkey, cart horse or race horse!

Yeah, see my neutral comment on page 1. They don’t feel as sprightly as something like an Orange but that’s fine if you just want a comfortable cruiser.

 

[Norwood42]

Thanks for the comments. Obvs it isn’t a road bike but do you mean you find them sluggish off road or just in general?

 

[bikeworkshop]

You can certainty get a nice steel bike for your budget, but you could easily find you need to spend a hundred quid replacing all the worn out stuff
- especially if it looks like a real bargain.

Just bear it in mind.

It doesn't matter how nice a bike was new if its tired, badly adjusted, and doesn't fit you well.

Brands like Trek and Marin, Dawes, khs are less collected and so usually better value than kona specialized Rocky mountain and orange.

Collectors will always tell you the best brand is the one they favour

The nicest frames are often made with tubes from high end tube manufacturers.

Look for True Temper Ox, Tange Prestige or Ultimate - that sort of thing.

 

[Norwood42]

Thanks for your help found a couple of Marin Eldridge Grade from the 90’s that look in very good condition and have Tange steel frames but as I’ve no idea how they ride I’m asking around. Like the look of 90’s Stump jumpers but only one or two online that look any good and they’re 18’’ frames whereas I think I’m suited to 16/17’’ at 5’8…..

 

[bikeworkshop]

If you're picking an xc bike from the early 90s but in the upper end of the model range, its condition and how it fits you will make a much bigger difference than the brand.