mtb-timeline

Ammaco

Ammaco is a British brand which initially concentrated on BMX with occasional sales of MTBs and road bikes. Started by Malcolm Jarvis in 1980 in Tenterden, Kent, England, at the site the UK's first BMX track in Jarvis' home garden. Ammaco stands for A Malcolm Malcolm And Chris Organisation, which included Malcolm's brother Chris and Malcolm's wife Sue. After an interruption in trade from 1987 → 1992, Ammacos returned, diving down market into the BSO¹⁾ zone, using obscure supermarket level components which are impossible to date. Used Ammacos are usually listed in the $20-30 range. As is common with down market bikes, pics are hard to find. The brand continues to exist today. See: Ammaco at Amazon.co.uk.

After leaving Ammaco, Malcolm returned to the family business, Jarvis Homes²⁾

Resources:

• bmxmuseum
• universityofbmx
• britishbmxhalloffame
• universityofbmx

2010 Penny Farthing. 700c front wheel. ebay

Malcolm Jarvis ca. 1980 facebook

1984 Trail Finder

1983 date codes, Sachs shifters, newer rear derailleur, BMX bars & stem, bi-plane fork. Tig welded. One of the earliest MTBs made in the UK. See also: Dawes, Evans and Saracen, all of which also debuted in 1984.

1984 Trail Finder retrobike

1985 Trailmaster 26

Suntour Mountech front derailleur (1982-87), new rear der., SR MTS-100 stem (1982-85)

1985 Trailmaster 26 retrobike

1987 Mountain Club

SunTour alpha-3000 (1987), Sakae SX OvalTech triple crankset (1987). Sticker says “Hand crafted high performance built with 3 main tubes.”

1987 Mountain Club retrobike

1992 Mega Mania

After a gap in the timeline, Ammacos MTBs show up again, with vintage geometry and oversized tubing. 15 speeds. Shimano Tourney TY15 rear (1990-92).

1992 Mega Mania gumtree. See also: ebay for detail shots.