Vintage mountain bicycles have a special place in the cycling ethos, and for good reason; they are, categorically speaking, the most versatile, fun and easily maintained of all the species. With that said, I’m going to write a review (kinda) about a bike that’s 30 years old and nowhere near stock.

This particular High Sierra has been my commuter, touring bike, get away ride and general all-rounder for a little over a year. I’ve had this one modded to accommodate more water bottles and built it up to my specs (more or less). It’s been crashed, hit by a car (in all fairness, so was I), pedaled into the darkness and pedaled into the sunrise. My current set up is dirt drops, 2×8 drivetrain and a front rack (the Soma Portuer, to be specific). It’s had both cruiser and bullmoose bars in the past, but this setup is my favorite so far. I’m really digging the Soma Junebug handlebars!

Enough about equipment for now. Let me get onto what makes this bike truly special. It’s comfortable, rugged, old enough to know better and young enough not to care. It’s got character. From the almost non-existent paint, to the custom light mount, to the “well loved” green bar tape and the fact that I’ve been using the same low end MTB tires to commute on since I built it up; it’s pure class. This bike is like that one guy at the cafe that is wearing a flannel shirt and a beard, but you can tell if it’s in ernest and he actually chops down trees for a living. Cool, in the most obvious but unnoticed of ways.

The moral of this story is, don’t underestimate that old High Sierra, Stumpjumper or Singletrack. These are all formidable “shred sleds” if I may use the kids’ vernacular. And while you’re at it… 5, 6, 7 and 8 speed drivetrains are totally “radical” as well.

I have some nicer, lighter bicycles, sure. But this one is home.