Help identify Black mamba

[tsep]

Recently picked up this bike with Reynolds 531Atb , in poor condition cosmetically and would appreciate any insights regarding it’s providence.
Has horizontal drop outs and cage mounts on both sides of the down tube.
No serial number, a mix of components but predominantly Suntour xce.
Any thoughts appreciated

 

[velomaniac]

Re:

My first guess based on the bottle mount on the underside of the lower downtube would be that maybe it's not a MTB but an expedition tourer. Bikes like Dawes Sardar, Orbit Romany, Thorn Nomad. Forks also look a tad steep not the slacker MTB look.

How may braze-ons does it have such as number of bottle mounts, rack and mudguard eyelets etc etc ?

However my knowledge of Reynolds 531 framed MTB's is small. Also being lugged it could be custom built by any number of frame holders.

 

[tsep]

Re: Re:

Yes that makes sense, you wouldn't want a bottle mount on the underside of a mtb down tube!
but it doesn't have any braze ons for racks on the rear seat stays, just one on the fork and rear dropouts.

+ agree that it could be an unknown maker, the fork is at a very aggressive angle for a tourer I would think?
I havent had time to pull it apart yet so there may be more clues ahead.

thanks for your suggestions

cheers

 

[k-rod]

Re:

the word is 'provenance' (not providence)

 

[tsep]

Re: Re:

thanks for that clarification

any ideas?

cheers

 

[legrandefromage]

the seat tube is quite short so there maybe not enough room for a second bottle cage

Head angle is very forward when combined with the fork rake

could be anyone

 

[tsep]

Re: Re:

My first guess based on the bottle mount on the underside of the lower downtube would be that maybe it's not a MTB but an expedition tourer. Bikes like Dawes Sardar, Orbit Romany, Thorn Nomad. Forks also look a tad steep not the slacker MTB look.

How may braze-ons does it have such as number of bottle mounts, rack and mudguard eyelets etc etc ?

However my knowledge of Reynolds 531 framed MTB's is small. Also being lugged it could be custom built by any number of frame holders.

Here are a couple more pics