Hump Bike-Like a Nightmare Before Trail Riding

You've probably seen Nightmare Before Christmas with its cast of cast-offs, each one with a bit of extra "character." You've probably also seen some Ferraris, Lambroghinis, Maseratis or Porsches (hmmm, maybe an exception there) in red or black, rarely yellow. Those of you old enough, will remember when every bike was made of steel.  Enter today's Hump Bike: Sunny Whale:

This one, the color of caution, I can't describe the waves that this Whale created when it debuted in 1984. While the velophilia had become accustomed to the Cannondale name through its introduction of bike trailers (its first product), a few years earlier, and, more recently a road frame, big aluminum tubes, differently sized wheels and that yellow color made the bike a showroom floor standout. Rolled aluminum tubes for any bicycle purposes were rare, limited to handlebars and BMX seatposts (road seatposts were still mostly cast), until Gary Klien welded up a frame as grad project. Cannondale quickly appropriated the aesthetic (Klien's were sooooo hot), and dropped this trials/mtb/bmx hybrid. The first bikes had Dia Compe caliper brakes; judging from the roller cams (metal rollers!) on this bike (one of the rare instances where V2 is more valuable than V1), it is an '86:

Rolling Hall, a pedalling misfit of a most unique nature, is the perfect owner for this bike.  Usually a townie, Sunny Whale gets laps on the Shoreline, Broniel's or even Glenwild. Some of that Nightmare character: Schwinn Approved Speedo, cup holder, Oury ("the cult") grips:

Of course Rolling and Fahzure share an affection for 24/26 combo, both of us former Killing Machine owners. Hey, it works for motos and Travis Brown likes his 69er. This 46er has mint vint 24 in goodness with a real spoke guard, Suntour XC Pro hubs and derail:

 Hite Rite, and Nitto/Suntour seatpost, natch:

Sugino AT crank was the working man's option, a price point pick over the more expensive XC Pro:

For $1,600, Fish On.

By: Rolling Hall

Two Hump Bikes ago we asked if you'd kick down the coin to ride a vintage Giant; and 'Friends with Benefits' took the majority vote. Sufficient for careless socializing or a good romping when the SO's being a crazy ass bitch, the Red Sled would make a legit addition to any two-wheeled horde. Today's Hump Bike keeps the rigid and Taiwan-built theme rolling, but is its asking price too fishy?

Fishers have a rich history of clever marketing and bold claims, and today's fully customized, used Trek Bicycle Corporation Gary Fisher Collection Sawyer (really Trek, really?) embodies just that. Fisher once claimed to have invented the mountain bike and pushed hard for acceptance, even going so far as to falsify a build:

"…Gary Fisher paraded a bike that he claimed was the first mountain bike, but it was easy for Frank Berto to show that many of the components were not yet available when the bike supposedly was built. Gary Fisher admitted that it was a replica loosely based on the long-lost original…"

He did start a company called MountainBikes, and he was part of an off-road cycling movement during the late 70's, but he did not invent the mountain bike.

A similar story goes for his brands marketing of 29er wheels. They were an early adopter, but by no means the first company to use 29in wheels. Their early marketing, however, would lead one to think otherwise. They did, in fact, ride the 29er wave like pros. Aside from failed, I'm-first claims, the Tweed Tool has contributed to putting mountain bikes into the hands of countless riders. For that we're forever grateful and today's Hump Bike continues to do just that.

Looking to cash in on niche styles, the Sawyer sports the clean lines of a NAHBS piece and early mountain bikes, but forgoes the progressive, passionate, and hard work of custom builders in favor of cheap Taiwan labor. Like mainstream fixters, the Sawyer looks to prey on PBR-fanboys. Tatt's? Check. Cool facial hair? Check. Custom, hand-built mountain bike … no? Well, check off that box with this 'custom' Sawyer!

 

So, what makes this mass produced mountain bike custom? It appears this Fisher's been the fine recipient of some bolt-on upgrades -- qualifying it as custom. (We were hoping for some custom, trippy paint … but, we'll have to keep wishing.) According to our seller, Bontrager-branded DT Swiss wheels, XT drivetrain components, and a Ti Brooks saddle make this Sawyer custom.

It's pretty apparent the seller fell victim to the shiny bits under the glass counter at the Bike Shoppe, like a large mouth falls victim to a spinner. The seller doesn't state why the Sawyer's being returned to the pond -- only that it has about 50 miles on it. Maybe the missus didn't like the tatt's and soul patch, or the sleeveless flannel and cut-off jeans rubbed him the wrong way on the first ride.

Either way you can purchase a Trek Bicycle Corporation Gary Fisher Collection Sawyer with a warranty for $1540 from a Trek Concept Store or catch this 'custom' Sawyer for $1600. So, what do you think, is the seller a master baiter? Or, is this a fish that's worth riding?

Let us know if you think:

 something's fishy … I'm not going down on that.

or

Reel it in, she's a keeper.

Hump Bike- Taking a Giant Hump or Dump

For $95, is this Old Skool Giant Too Cool?   

By: Rolling Hall


Enter Your Vote>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What's dressed in red, sports a perky rack, and shifts smoothly?  Up for purchase is a Giant MTB that appears to have seen little use in its hometown of Sprawlsville, UT.:

Its manila-mo owner probably rode it around the cul-de-sac once, explaining why this ferrous frame hasn't returned to base elements. It's an LBS-notch above 80's-department store quality, and for close to the same price, after taxes, you could buy this four-and-a-quarter star POS. So, with that monstrosity as a gauge, would you hump this Giant, or dump it?:

At first glance, the NICE NICE NICE upright riding position might look tempting. It'd provide a lucky cyclist with a commanding view of populated streets. But, unfortunately upon further inspection, the quill stem is mounted at a ready-to-snap height. We'd advise lowering it a bit, unless you'd prefer an impromptu introduction to Terra Firma (no, not the exotic dancer you perv). That's a quick, costless fix, and the rest of this red-sled doesn't appear to need any more coin tossed at it to get going on your first Giant adventure.

Inside the ad's beehive-edjumacated listing, the seller claims this bicycle is 'weighting' for a person who loves 'out doors adventures.' We're pretty sure he intended to type outdoor adventures. And given the undeniable reliability and serviceability of thumb shifters, a Shimano drivetrain, and cup n' cone hubs, we wouldn't hesitate weighting the rack with camping gear to spend a weekend exploring the White Rim.:

On the stopping end things, (my God, he didn't mention breaks!) this Giant pile piles on mediocre power with a canti front brake and rear U-brake. While it's adequate stopping power to cruise rail trails with your most precious possession rolling along in a child seat, that stealthy U brake hidden under the chainstays wasn't a high point of slowing ATB's. Early mountain bikes favored this brake and location because its low-profile shape provided ankle clearance with a shorter actuation cable. Unfortunately, the more powerful, easier-to-adjust, and less affected-by-mud canti's would hang out too far from the seat stays. They'd snag stone-washed jeans and hit rider's calfs and ankles when getting rad -- not cool.

The seller of this particular 'smooth shifting' 21-speed beast (we're willing to bet he hasn't shifted a modern drivetrain yet) claims that massive saddle is brand-spanking new and 'confy' – by which we are assuming he means comfy. And that's a good thing when the only filter between you and your Giant adventures is foam grips and pinner 2in-wide tires.

The price is 'fi,' whatever the fu that means. So, for 19 five-spots do you see yourself leaning this retro-ride outside Alta's Peruvian? (A pair of Black Widow tele skis strapped with used tubes to the rack, of course.) Or is this 'classic' better off donated to the SLC Bicycle Collective to fulfill its two-wheeled talent fetchin' forties and blunts from a corner mart?

You decide!

Hump it: That's a NICE NICE NICE price!

Or

Dump it: That price is Fu…

---

See the poll on right sidebar

The Choice Is Yours- Best MTB Shuttle Vehicles

The Choice Is Yours-our weekly feature where we take the best responses from Monday's You Must Choose and polish 'em up to show off. Monday we asked for your opinion on what the nastiest MTB DH Freeride bike shuttle vehicle is. Here are some of your answers with a little analysis by Fahzure and Rolling ( Kid in D') Hall:

Pinzgauer

Suggested by: Brian

Why it's a worthy shuttle vehicle:

Brian sums it up pretty good, "Swiss surplus Pinzgauer. Simple 4-banger engine, massive ground clearance, can ford rivers a foot and a half deep, climb 45 degree slopes, and has a shitload of room for people, bikes, and all the beer anyone could drink." All those reasons alone make it worthy enough for us. Here's one for sale priced less than your brah's lifted Toy' with Moto Metal wheels. Yes, you're losing some creature comforts and MPG's are going to be questionable but, you're gaining trailhead envy -- and for that reason we can see ourselves running shuttles up Grafton in a Pinzgauer.

Your Bicycle

Suggested by: Reverend Dick
Why it's a worthy shuttle vehicle:

A nod of the helmet goes to the Rev, for our first shuttle-vehicle suggestion, and most efficient one -- a bicycle. While it is possible to complete rides like The Whole Enchilada without a shuttle, it's not something we're going to add onto the ol' bucket list any time soon. Rather, like the Rev and others on Fahzure's bachelor ride, a more realistic freerider would say that taking one of multi-reniasance man Jesse Marshall's Franken-bus's to the top and enjoying the ride down with long travel sleds, is more like it.

                                           
The Minivan

Suggested by: Rolling Hall

Why it's a worthy shuttle vehicle:

The Minivan with two in the front five in the back, is the mullet of vehicles. Your GF might not like it, but we do … for its capacity. You can find a running one for less than a new triple clamp fork and given their boxy shape you'll have room to move bodies up the mountain. Avoid car-based ones if you don't want to drag the rear bumper and struggle up passes.  The Astro/Safari twins, come in all-wheel and have an EPA ratting 16/23mpg, and its low-profile soccer-mom stigma will help keep the boys in blue of your back. 

Ford Excursion

Suggested by: WakiPaki

Why it's a worthy shuttle vehicle:

Surprisingly no one mentioned a Ford Raptor, instead we got a nomination for the Excursion over Barley sodas at the local watering hole. His reasons: comfortable leather seating for seven, V10 or diesel power, and room for bikes and gear. Sounds luxurious. But, we hear the blue oval is introducing a $4K Kashima coated option for the Fox-suspended Ford Raptor next year. Maybe that'd change the WakiPaki's flavor.

6.7 L Turbo Diesel Dodge Megacab

Suggested by: Busti

Why it's a worthy shuttle vehicle:

The Mega Cab can hold a mega shit-ton of gear, and with a Cummins engine as an option it flirts with 20mpg's, especially if you Yewtah Edge it. Not bad. What is bad is paying for major repairs like injectors. What is good is the option to belch dinosaurs, and for that reason we can see ourselves running a Megacab up the pass in Jackson Hole.

E350 Van w/ Diesel 7.3 L & 3 in lift

Suggested by: Marac

Why it's a worthy shuttle vehicle:

As a professional driver, Gisto Marac, is likely to go with the purpose-built choice which comfortably fits 15 and bikes with the Moabesque roof rack, and has as much power as any of other choices. Why take two vehicles when you can take a whole Posse in one. Not having compromise every other choice is just an alternative to the obvious winner. As a total fantasy, Marac notes that if your posse is slightly smaller (say, 8), you might consider a  Sportsmobile Chinook Baja,  $150,000, which also makes it versatile for those weekend getaways with the sweetie:

Looks like the van that wallet can best afford, takes the day.