Let the advice commence

[xxnick1975]

Just random examples

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=329681

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=316983

 

[Lenoir]

Thanks xxnick1975. While both of those examples look great, they pre-date my own 'hey-day' - which is circa 1995 to 1997.

I've spotted a Marin Bear Valley for sale locally - it's the standard model, not the SE, but looks to date to 1996 (going by pics compared against catalog). It's also my size (17.5") - only thing is, it appears to have STX-RC components (like the 1996 Bear Valley SE), and it's also got a mid-late nineties RST fork (would have preferred rigid rather than those heavyweights). The asking price is (IMO) way-off: £175, but perhaps there's room for a bit of haggling. Judging by prices I've seen for similar on here, and on eBay, it should be nearer £120-150.

 

[kingoffootball]

This is the right sort of size, the right era and an excellent bike:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121701613643

Could be a bargain.