Manitou Answer Easton E9: is it worth anything?

[tweedi]

Hi All,

Purchased an old Marin Team Issue (1994) from original owner. It had this Manitou fork on it. I don't recall seeing those in the Marin catalogues so I assume it may have been an option. The bike year, 1994, seems in line for the year of those forks. Also the bike was purchased is France by the original owner. By the way if you are aware if those forks did come on some team issue (but not the team FRS, the hardtails, my bike is a hardtail) I am very keen to know more about this.

Going to re-do the bike fully rigid so happy to part with this. it is blocked, needs redoing. Happy to list on here or ebay but have no clue what this could be worth? Any insight welcome

Best

 

[fguki]

Are you sure it isnt a 1993 Marin Team Issue?

It is called a "Manitou 2". The Easton E9 is the tubing used. Its of 1993 - not 1994.

Price varies heavily ... yours is on the low end (undefined elastomer status) and the purple is completely faded. On the used market you can find these from 60 Euros onwards.

The most expensive ones (rich purple anodization still), 1 1/4" steerer and brand new elastomers in clean condition climb up to 350,00 / 400,00 Euros by now.

I still have about 30 Manitou 2 in my boxes and I am a producer of the replacement parts and elastomers. So if you or a potential buyer needs anything for it, let me know!

 

[tweedi]

Amazing information, I will possibly re-build in which case I will get in touch for the elastomers.

Well I don't know, I am investigating and as you can probably see I am reviewing all Marin Team issue posts on this forum to try and find out!

The code indicates 1994 (M24...) and I don't have much original color (apart from the attached bolt). On top of the 1993 fork I also noticed the seat post is swan neck, and in the 1994 catalogue it's a different one (straight). So maybe 1993, but also maybe 1994, I don't know?

 

[fguki]

M2 is what was originally born as a "Team Marin" frame but was (obviously) used as an "Issue" frame. There are plenty of examples of that out there. vise versa as well.

Mx4... indeed indicates 1994 as build year and the seat post binder also indicates 1993.

 

[tweedi]

Did you mean and the seat post binder also indicates 1994?

Otherwise, if you really meant 1993, how would it be possible to have 1993 components, such as seat post binder on a 1994 "build"?

Thanks!

 

[fguki]

Just seen that the 1994 Team Issue had the purple binder as well.

I dont know... maybe it was a January 1994 build, still sold in the 1993 design.

The bare Issue frames were the very exact same anyways of 1993 & 1994. Only the serial number stamping was different So ...just build it as you wish!

The Elastomers and spare parts for a Manitou 2 fork you can get from me. A fresh decal set as well ... but not of 1994! Only 1993.

 

[brocklanders023]

1994 model year bikes would have been made from mid 1993 onwards as the next model year usually started around Autumn the previous year, to catch the Christmas market.

Manitou forks were certainly an option available from new on Marin's from that time so no reason to think they were not original equipment.

 

[tweedi]

Very interesting anedcdote re new model being available at Christmas, thank you @brocklanders023. I've also decided to keep the fork for now, might decide to re-build it not that I know it's possible

With this particular bike the confusion comes from the fact that the the BB is stamped M24 (1994 build) but there are a few signs of 1993 (the fork, the seatpost, color of anodisation more pink than purple). So it's not clear why there would be 1993 parts on a frame made in 1994.

 

[brocklanders023]

It wasn't unusual for old stock to be used up on newer bikes back then, Saracen did it all the time. Marin released 1990 bikes in the 1991 frame colour as well. Plenty of anomalies out there for yours to be not that much of a puzzle mate. Also, as mentioned above the frame may be a 94 built in 94 but the forks might be 94 model year built in 93.