Your 'Retro' cut-off year

[bryan555]

Hmmm, 1989-1994 were magic MTB years for me. But I haven't bought a mountain bike since 1994

This cut-off year seems so personal reading this thread. For me 'retro' is something which harks back to the past. Actually, not just for me, I think that's roughly what the word means; something that is immative of past eras.

So a 'modern' bike could actually be more 'retro' than, say, a 1994 Pace like mine with period correct parts.

eg. a 2006 Orange Clockwork is retro.
a 1993 Orange clockwork is old.

What do you think?

(ducks for cover from flying biopace cranksets)

That's a different thing all together and do a search and dig up the other posts on this There are quite a few

I see.

I'll go for '94 then

 

[therealkw15]

I seem to recall 21 speed Hyperglide came on the go in 1989, which pushed buttons for me in heralding an era of gears and changers (thumbies!) that have not been significantly bettered, and which carried on until harsh aluminium frames became prevalent, although it's hard for me to pick an year for that. When did Stumpies go aluminium? 1996?

I have no nostalgia for cantis as they were rubbish compared to Vs, both in performance and ease of setup. Cantis for display purposes perhaps, but in use I want the reassuring bite of the V, and remorselessly retrofit my retrobikes.

So in the interests of sweeping statements that can't really be backed up, I'll say retro cutoff year is 96, with my personal golden era 89-96.

 

[the great roberto]

I still think it's 1985, so most of my bikes have yet to be built.

 

[legrandefromage]

This is not an argument over cantis or whats retro, just the year that you decide enough was enough.


I chose 1993 because that was the last time I bought a new bike and kept it, later new bikes have been disappointing and have been sold on.

 

[Dr S]

Anything with a 1inch headset for me. Preferably before 1989.

Si

 

[MikeD]

This is not an argument over cantis or whats retro, just the year that you decide enough was enough.

Isn't that a different question from "retro cut-off", though?

 

[brocklanders023]

Been thinking again about this and (probably already been mentioned) think it was when the standard for frames changed from steel to aluminium. I drifted out of mtb's around '95 and by the time I came back in the early to mid 2000's everything seemed to be alu. When did this happen? :?

 

[KevD]

1993 works for me, but then again I havent a clue whats happened 95-2010 in MTB's in any details.

Retro MTB should certainly have canti's, 1" threaded headset, 21 speed max, hardtail, stiff or under 2" travel front forks......

but I am biased :roll:

 

[sinnerman]

.

 

[kase1983]

1996 for me when kona changed from the block letters to the flowery ones.