Extremely open ended question I know, but IMO early ATB bikes were some of the best over-all bikes ever made. They were reasonably comfortable, very reliable, and could get you anywhere (albeit slowly) you wanted to go, whether street or mud. No fancy lightweight aluminum or carbon to worry about all in a platform both average Joe and expert could enjoy.
by Imnothere1980
8 Comments
Bridgestone XO-1 was waaayyy ahead of its time in terms of a true all rounder.
OP…FYI, the Raleigh Elkhorn has the same frame geometry as the High Sienna.
The Bridgestone MB series. I’ve had one for 20+ years in various configurations and it rides incredibly in most situations.
It even has the “chain peg” to hold your chain when you pull off the wheel.
My favorites are:
Bianchi Axis in Celeste Green
Specialized RockCombo in pearl white.
1985 Schwinn Cimarron
Bruce Gordon Rock ‘n’ Road, Fisher Hybrid (1989 drop bar model), Bianchi Volpe.
Or even the humble Novara X-R.
Probably a hudski doggler. Quality aluminum frame. Carbon fork. Dropper. Plays well with a variety of wheel sizes and tire configurations and has disc brakes and 1x.
https://preview.redd.it/97g3160v8wde1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2edc30f55fd71e23d2e85db3fb7bdb3e954ff6f
I’m going new school. And surely not best ever of course. But this bike will handle the trails. And it’s my favorite road bike in my very large fleet
My ’88 High Sierra is my favorite bike!