As well as a sizable bike race, Original Source Mountain Mayhem also packs a substantial trade area, with lots of manufacturers showing off things of newness and shinitude. Splendidly located in the midst of it all is the Retrobike stand, filled with bikes no less shiny but considerably less new. It gets bigger every year, and the 2009 incarnation was packed with old-school goodness by midday on Friday. Later in the weekend the curators were instigating a rotating-exhibit policy, so it was well worth checking back. Here are a few highlights:
Classic steel from opposite sides of the Atlantic - Roberts DOGS BOLX in front, Fat Chance Yo Eddy Team (with blue anodising frenzy) behind.
Retro wardrobe to go with the retro bike shed
It was them what done it
Startlingly original Breezer Storm (and another one behind with decidedly non-stock Lawwill Leader fork)
Splatter-finish Kona Explosif, just as it would have rolled out of the shop in 1989.
Ritchey - the epitome of skinny steel
Want a restoration challenge? The Pace RC200's Bullseye cranks, proprietary Magura bosses and unique headset arrangement make for a whole load of hard-to-find bits
Even now the Mountain Cycle San Andreas looks ahead of its time. In 1991 it might as well have come from Jupiter.
Klein Attitude: Fat aluminium can be classic too
Jellybean Salsa A La Carte with none-more-rumbly Tioga Disk Drive wheel
If Terminators rode bikes, they'd probably ride AMP B4s
Zebra-stripe monococque craziness from Trimble
Feeling nostalgic? Head over to www.retrobike.co.uk and fill your boots...
Nobby
Not just any scruffy old frame, though - Yeti C-26s don't come cheap
