Monster, Monsteur, Monstour , 26/29+ and Expedition and Adventure bikes

In the mid-’90s poor mountain bike riders wanted shock forks like racers had, so bike makers put budget ones on all models above about $300. It helped sales, but turned durable workhorses into high-maintenance wimps, making the “obsolete” rigid-forked bikes more desirable, since they didn’t go foul. By the early 2000s you could get a plain-forked late ‘80s mountain bike for $150 or less. In 2015, they’re more scarce, cost $200 to $250,and inevitably needs $600 to $800 in parts and 7 hours of labor. That takes much of the pleasure out of fixing up a 25-year old bike that cost $700 new.