Newbie: Steel frames and a stolen Eldridge

[DrNO]

Hi folks, long time (occasional) lurker, loving the bikes on here.

I'm thinking of selling my current bike in favour of a retro ride, and looking for some advice on 90's steel frames. But first a tale of woe....

My 1996 Marin Eldridge Grade (Gunmetal grey-blue colour, red decals) was stolen on 23rd July 2006, after an accident that left me hospitalised in Bath city centre. I'd had it from new and loved that bike. I'd modified it for commuting, with blue Conti s-licks tyres and a Bontrager double crank. Apart from this, and a new front mech everything was original and in good condition. (photo of old White Brothers crank and LX front mech attached). I also have the original Marin tyres, hardly ridden if anyone is interested. I'm aware i probably should have posted this 2 years ago, and it's a long shot but if anyone knows the whereabouts if this bike i would love to hear from you. It was last spotted (it has been spotted twice!) in Bath 7 months ago, seemingly unmodified since stolen.

I have since bought a new Alu bike, but really miss the ride of my old Marin. Hence i am thinking of getting an old steel frame as a project. I'm looking at the Marin Bear Valley, Eldridge or Pine Mountain as options, pref . early to mid 90's. Also considering Kona Explosif as an option.

If anyone has got any suggestions as to other steel frames are worth considering i'd love to hear them.

Oh, and i am moving to the states soon so if anyone knows any good retrobike style US websites that'd be grand too.

Apologies for length, cheers guys

DrNO

 

[DrNO]

Attachment (doh...)

 

[TheGreenRabbit]

Orange

 

[cherrybomb]

Orange

What he said. Clockwork or P7. I'd say that anyway, but since you're off to the colonies then an Orange will certainly be a rarity out there and the septics could do with some lessons on why they are loved so much this side of the pond.

(Only kiddin' guys. )

 

[reanimation]

What type of &%$% nicks a bike when the rider is on the floor?

scum they are, it did go thru my mind when my gf was mowed down in whalley range/nr moss side but even there no theft.

Welcome anyway you are in safe hands, loads available I'm building a muddy fox and raleigh apex both cromo, loads of quality oldies out there as well as classic syle modern capable steel offering from loads of mftrs inc orange, charge, etc etc cromo for the win probably, also my mate just bought an 'urban hardtail' Marin muirwoods bike which is a cromo MTB with slicks for city, great looking simple bike.

HTH

 

[DrNO]

What type of &%$% nicks a bike when the rider is on the floor?

You wouldn't believe how many times i've asked myself this question....

Reanimation: Thanks for that, definitely leaning towards cromo.

 

[reanimation]

My pleasure, Thanks to being on here and elsewhere, I have begun a retro build, bought back the one I sold (for parts witha view to keeping anyway), and dead giddy about our future bike to work scheme as I'm after a classic cromo trail champ too! Of course I don't need another bike. just the way it is, I miss a good cromo XC bike in my life.

there's a wealth of cool old stuff available if you hang around, but if ya fancy summat new:

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2008bikes/prestige-s.php

http://www.chargebikes.com/home/

and that marin, really glad he chose this instead of a over suspended blummin knobbly thing
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2008
^ not that one, it looks interesting tho
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2007
this one

depends what you are after really(?), see what takes your fancy

 

[dyna-ti]

find out whats really rare in the states ,and see if you can get 'em here cheap
Like selling western good to east Germans before the berlin wall came down
Theres plenty of stuff available in the US but shipping it here is just too expensive,i reckon our cousins across the pond have the same issues
You could make a lot of dreams come true