Medium Bontrager Race frame NR .99 cents

[GoldenEraMTB]

the switch from segmented stays happened shortly after the cable guides changed. well before the trek buyout

there are plenty of race and RL with single piece stays out there. lots of people claim they ride better

The buyout happened in 1995. However, it seems segmented stays continued to be used on Races and Race Lites through the end of their production 1998. This was certainly the case for the dozen or so 1998 model year Race/Race Lite frames we sold in 98-99.

From the 1998 Bontrager catalog:

Hmmm, I had a race from pre-buyout Bontrager, and it single piece seat stays (we are still talking about the seat stays, correct?):

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

and a better photo:

 

[Mr. Zero]

I had a race from pre-buyout Bontrager, and it single piece seat stays (we are still talking about the seat stays, correct?)

Hmm, I'm stumped at this point. Most here are probably aware of this, but for what it's worth I can add that Keith mentioned that the segmented seat stay design was a cost consideration: It was more cost-effective to order a large quantity of a single longer length stay and then cut them per frame size, hence the segmented design, than to purchase size-specific stays.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

I had a race from pre-buyout Bontrager, and it single piece seat stays (we are still talking about the seat stays, correct?)

Hmm, I'm stumped at this point. Most here are probably aware of this, but for what it's worth I can add that Keith mentioned that the segmented seat stay design was a cost consideration: It was more cost-effective to order a large quantity of a single longer length stay and then cut them per frame size, hence the segmented design, than to purchase size-specific stays.

Correct, I know the early OR frames all had the segmented stays, but thought the last three to four years before the Trek purchase, he had already gone to single piece stays, at least since 1992.

Regarding the earlier nontrager question; found a pic from another thread, of the nontrager, and it has single piece stays:

 

[Mr. Zero]

GoldenEraMTB, are you the original owner?

 

[Mr. Zero]

Regarding the earlier nontrager question; found a pic from another thread, of the nontrager, and it has single piece stays

After giving it some thought I think I also recall reading Paul Sadoff mention that his purchase of the left-over Bontrager tubesets was all but seat stays.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

GoldenEraMTB, are you the original owner?

My orange race: I was the second owner. The original owner had it from new, stated he bought it in 1993. I mistakingly thought it was a race lite, and so did he, until I looked up the whole head tube thing.

 

[hollister]

However, it seems segmented stays continued to be used on Races and Race Lites through the end of their production 1998.

From the 1998 Bontrager catalog:

the bolded part is incorrect.

the catalog pics(both the german and the US versions) are misleading. check the pictured fork crowns and cable routing and you'll see some other misleading info compared to what was current spec and recommended routing

segmented stays by themselves are a poor indication of year or model

 

[mrorange]

the catalog pics(both the german and the US versions) are misleading.

Absolutely correct. Used the same pics all the way till the end for the Race, Race Lite Road and CX. Selling through stock created in 95-96 at Santa Cruz of those models, essentially. So the 96+catalogs never showed the non-butted stays.

95 segmented, 96 has the butted seat stays. Many collectors prefer the segmented ones, but from a tech standpoint the 96's are pretty cool too.