One of my longer posts about one of my longer running plans: to revisit my first MTB, the 1990 Stumpjumper.
Last March I thought I got it winning a German e-bay frameset, but it never materialised
evil. A few weeks ago another frame on marktplaats turned out to have the seatpost stuck and seller withdrew it. But after a tip from Melvin Elev12k (Thanks!!) I found it, right size year paint and OK condition.
So here it is, the 1990 Stumpjumper in metallic black. When I bought mine used back in 1991 I thought it was plain black. But it has a purple pearlescent hue from minute metallic particles. It is so subtle that I remember I only noticed it after owning it for several months. I bought it as a commuter, but the rrrrrrrrrrroar of the paddle tread Spesh "extreme" tires had me venturing into the woods soon enough.
The steel finishing kit is indestructable and the plain DX groupset simply works. Plus the ride is spot on, the Stumpy made me feel invincible on the local forest trails around Arnhem. I could ride stuff up and down never dreamt of and mastering the speed and danger going downhill the 50 odd metres of elevation available was a definite adrenaline rush. This is what got me hooked on mountainbikes, thank you.
I wonder who will still be reading this, but this replaces the green Explosif (that I sold on this summer) for my regular lunchrides at the office as of next week. I will gently massage it into a proper "rider": wheels, tires, sadlle, cable outers, barends, grips ... I have my work sorted for this weekend. Watch this space for updates (edit: have inserted an updated pic top of post) but here's the "before" picture of the bike as received.
Enjoy!!
Last March I thought I got it winning a German e-bay frameset, but it never materialised
evil. A few weeks ago another frame on marktplaats turned out to have the seatpost stuck and seller withdrew it. But after a tip from Melvin Elev12k (Thanks!!) I found it, right size year paint and OK condition. So here it is, the 1990 Stumpjumper in metallic black. When I bought mine used back in 1991 I thought it was plain black. But it has a purple pearlescent hue from minute metallic particles. It is so subtle that I remember I only noticed it after owning it for several months. I bought it as a commuter, but the rrrrrrrrrrroar of the paddle tread Spesh "extreme" tires had me venturing into the woods soon enough.
The steel finishing kit is indestructable and the plain DX groupset simply works. Plus the ride is spot on, the Stumpy made me feel invincible on the local forest trails around Arnhem. I could ride stuff up and down never dreamt of and mastering the speed and danger going downhill the 50 odd metres of elevation available was a definite adrenaline rush. This is what got me hooked on mountainbikes, thank you.
I wonder who will still be reading this, but this replaces the green Explosif (that I sold on this summer) for my regular lunchrides at the office as of next week. I will gently massage it into a proper "rider": wheels, tires, sadlle, cable outers, barends, grips ... I have my work sorted for this weekend. Watch this space for updates (edit: have inserted an updated pic top of post) but here's the "before" picture of the bike as received.
Enjoy!!
