I've read recently that Breezer was planning to put out mountain bikes once again. I've been checking their website for details and finally, lo and behold - there they are to ogle. They look fantastic - to me anyway. Fully modern hardtail with old school Breezer graphics. Smart parts pick - all XT - and really, do you need anything more? Fox fork - best out there. Frames available in steel and aluminum. I'd have a hard time deciding between the two, but would relish the opportunity should it arise. The 18.5" size looks to fit me perfectly. Please send money - small bills, unmarked. I'd really like to see one in the flesh, uh - metal, so to speak.
As you may or may not know, Joe Breeze is behind Breezer bikes. Well, used to be - he sold the company, but is still involved in some capacity. If you ride mountain bikes and don't know who Joe Breeze is, I suggest you get your ass to mountain bike history school ASAP. Call now, classes are forming. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
The illustrious Mr. Breeze is one of the founding fathers of mountain biking - one of the folks who kick started this whole mountain bike thing - at least as we know it today. He designed and built the first actual mountain bike frame, after he and other famous cohorts (Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly, Tom Ritchey, etc.) started thrashing around on old ballooner Schwinns. He also was involved with NORBA, the first mountain bike racing organization, and even designed the NORBA logo. Old school mountain bikers now nodding heads in approval and shedding a tear. Go ahead, no one is looking.
During the '90s and I don't remember exactly when production ceased, Breezer made some really nice mountain bikes. They looked very much like the new models - well, paint anyway. I always thought the bikes looked cool, since they retained a bit of the old Schwinn graphics - kind of a tribute to the ancient clunker bikes that started it all.
Later, Breezer focused solely on commuting and transportation bikes, with Joe himself very involved with the pushing the bikes as transportation agenda. A noble cause indeed.
Out of the zillions of bikes out there, the occasional one really catches my attention and starts the mental gymnastics of how can I afford this. The new Breezer mountain bike is on that list.