Help needed identifying my recently acquired Marin frame

[pooky]

I recently acquired a Marin frame but am not sure of the vintage or model. I think it may be an Indian Fire Trail from around 1993 but any decals on the top tube are long gone.
The frame number is M53IA0039 and there is another pair of numbers 30 21 going across the bottom bracket too. Can anyone help me correctly identify

 

[longbeech]

I got in touch with ATB Sales in St Leonards and they Id a frame for me from the serial No. You can get their details from www.marin.co.uk.
Good luck!

 

[orange71]

have a look through the catalogues here:

http://www.mtb-kataloge.de/html/marin.html

 

[FluffyChicken]

Bear Valley 1993.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/mai ... emId=12556


Using the fairly tried and tested method on this site if you search for MARIN SERIAL NUMBER and all terms.

The first 0 may be a D and mean a 19" CTC (20.5" Centre To Top)


Indian Fire Trail would be chunky and Aluminium ? (an probably start MJ )
Bear valley is skinny and steel.

 

[pooky]

Oh it's definitely ally and chunky, 7005 series, i have already de-stickered the tatty remains and set about polishing the frame.

 

[FluffyChicken]

You'll need pictures...


But assuming they had not figured out a numbering (letters) in 1993 for the alu frames, the 5 is the Bear Valley and I remember someone saying the Eldrige Grade used the same frame and code.
So I would be inclined to say it's a Nail Trail as it's the same level of frame.


Measure the diameter of the down tube though (accuratly) or take the circumferance if it's easier 50.8 and it's IFM, 44 and it's one of the other two.



1994 frames also could have 1993 dating as it was production date. But then people have only reported letters for the frame type for '94 models so far.

 

[mikee]

indian fire trails had a nice cnc'd chainstay bridge (bit like a manitou)
and this is where they broke



if that helps

 

[pooky]

I thought it was the later models of Indian Fire Trail that had the CNC'd chainstay. A local cycle shop has informed me that in '92/ '93 the same frame was used on Nail Trail, Indian Fire Trail and Team Issue and that is was the components attached that differ.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I thought it was the later models of Indian Fire Trail that had the CNC'd chainstay.

right, it was the 1995 model of the IFT.

A local cycle shop has informed me that in '92/ '93 the same frame was used on Nail Trail, Indian Fire Trail and Team Issue and that is was the components attached that differ.

the team issue was a steel frame made of tange prestige. ift from 1992, 1993 , 1994 and nail trail from 1993, 1994 and 1995 were the same taiwan made 7005 alloy frame.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I thought it was the later models of Indian Fire Trail that had the CNC'd chainstay. A local cycle shop has informed me that in '92/ '93 the same frame was used on Nail Trail, Indian Fire Trail and Team Issue and that is was the components attached that differ.

What a load of bollocks
For 1993 as the butting of the tubing differed and the Team Issue is a steel bike

Nail trail didn't have butted tubing.
Rock Ridge had an Alcoa DB downtube
Fire Mountain had a much thicker diameter downtube and all main tubes where double butted