1990’s Vintage Bontrager Race Lite

Description

Bontrager isn’t one to exaggerate. His frames featured all sorts of features that defied tradition. Bontrager eschewed classic brazing in favor of garish TIG-welds, he employed gussets on the toptube, downtube, and chainstays, there was an unusual, anti-chainsuck plate on the drive-side chainstay, his seatstays were odd, two-piece affairs and the front triangle looked too small, thanks to the sloping top tube. Today, all those unique touches seem perfectly normal, many of them have, in fact, become mainstream. Indeed, to the modern eye, a Bontrager Race Lite is a thing of sheer beauty. At the time, however, those Bontrager frames looked like something constructed by a mad scientist who had unlimited access to a high-school metal shop. But here’s the thing-the Race Lites were also lighter and worlds stronger than just about everything out there. Most importantly, they boasted a trail manners that made other bikes feel like ropey nags. Bontrager did comparisons of brazed joints and TIG welded joints and learned about what happens in the thermal history of the process. He found that adding gussets to TIG-welded frames enabled him to redistribute loads and build a much stronger bike. But that was really just the tip of the iceberg. The Race Lite frame was loaded with myriad small details that only the keenest-eyed rider would notice. He cut his rear dropouts from 4130 steel plate instead of using softer, forged pieces. He heat-treated his seat and chainstays to improve their strength and impact resistance. His bottom brackets were made from high-grade chrome-moly steel, which was lighter and stronger than the high-tensile steel that most frame makers used in those “less critical” frame members. Words: Liam Friay

Bicycle Frame Geometry for 1990’s Vintage Bontrager Race Lite X-Large:

• A) Seat Tube: 19″ Center to Center
  
• B) Effective Seat Tube: 19 Inch
  
• C) Effective Top Tube: 23.4 Inch
  
• D) Top Tube: 23.4″
• E) Wheel Base: 42″
• F) Standover Height to Top Tube: 80cm/ 31.5 inches
  
• G) Head Tube: 10.7cm
• H) Reach: N/A
• I) Stack: N/A

So, purchase USED with confidence that you will have a finely tuned bike.

A little about the seller:

I’ve been in the cycling industry for more than 30 years (I know, that makes me old!). I’ve been a professional bicycle mechanic for most of those years, including working locally at Lee’s Cyclery before they became Trek Stores. Now I work from home as a Customer Success Manager for a software team. But I still love fixing up and working on bikes, and riding them too!

Purchase from me with peace of mind. Not only can you trust my years of experience, but I will also fit you for the bike and provide any mechanical insight at the time of purchase. No warranties or refunds are provided. The bikes are sold as-is. But It includes follow-up minor adjustments and fitting if needed within the first 30 days if sold locally.

Shipping information:

I ship UPS Ground and the bike is disassembled. I do have a video to help in putting back together.  Usually, it’s the Bars, Front Wheel, Pedals, and Seatpost that need to be put back on. I try to keep it simple. It will be packed very well, but if you see any damage to the box or bike keep the box and packing material plus, take pictures. I do insure all bikes that are shipped and require a signature. In addition, if shipped out of Colorado, there is no Sales Tax.

Colorado customers, try to buy Local. Info below:

If you’re local to Loveland, Colorado, it is highly recommended to come to check it out in person. A professional fitting is included with each bike sold to ensure you have the right size bike and it fits you. All bike showings are by appointment only, so feel free to grab some time off of my calendar.