mtb-timeline

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<div column 50% #intro>
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===== Malvern Star =====


Malvern Star was founded in 1902 by Tom Finnegan in Malvern, Australia, a suburb of Melbourne.  Malvern Star manufactured bikes in Australia until 1987, when all manufacturing was moved to Japan and Taiwan.  In the 1940s, Malvern Star operated the largest manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere, producing many 1,000s of bicycles annually with 726 employees.((See history at: [[http://www.aussievelos.net/malvern-star-cycles/|aussievelos]] and [[https://web.archive.org/web/20110225205952/http://bicyclehistory.com.au/MalvernStar/|bicyclehistory.com.au]].))
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Malvern Star introduced the Bushranger mountain bike in 1983.((It's likely not the first Australian branded mountain bike.  More research is needed, but the Hillman Alpine probably gets first, while the [[araya:start|Araya]] Mountain Bike was the first mtb generally available in 1982.))
As Australia is mostly flat,((Australia prides itself on being exceptionally [[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-is-the-world-s-flattest-continent.html|flat]].  However, where people live (i.e. NSW) there are plenty of hilly parks which allow [[https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/riding-in-sydney-overview-guide/|mountain biking]].)) the American term "mountain bike" did not grab Aussie's attention until a bit later in the game.
Many Australians were aware of the fun which Marin County's renegades enjoyed going downhill and were modifying their cruisers with fat tires for some years, mostly with an eye towards Australia's more rough flat roads and bush.  The first mountain bike to sell in Australia was the Araya Mountain Bike in 1982,
((See Issues 17 & 18 of [[http://www.sustainabletransport.com.au/Documents/|http:Freewheeling]]))
which was quickly followed in 1983 by Malvern Star, Apollo, Repco, Ricardo, Hillman and [[shogun:start|Shogun]].
((See a 1983 Australian market comparison in issue 20 of [[http://www.sustainabletransport.com.au/Documents/|Freewheeling]]))
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Malvern Star continues [[https://www.malvernstar.com.au/|today]].


{{freewheeling.jpg?300|Freewheeling #21}}
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Bushranger reviewed in the Sept 1983 issue of [[http://www.sustainabletransport.com.au/Documents|Freewheeling]], issue #20.

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<div column 45%>
{{1990cat.jpg?360|1990 Catalog}}
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Perhaps the bike rusted away, simply leaving wooden rims?
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1990 Catalog
[[http://bloggingadeadhorse.com/supermax2_1990Cat.php|bloggingadeadhorse]]

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<div column 50% #s1983>
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===== 1983 Bushranger ====

One of the earliest Australian branded mountain bikes. Originally with a Shimano AL11 derailleur.  This example has been upgraded to a SunTour XCE (1990?).  Lugged frame, slingshot stems, AU$615


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<div column 45%>
{{1983.jpg?300|1983 Bushranger}}
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1983 Bushranger
[[https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5963|bicycles.net.au]]


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<div column 50% #s1984>
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===== 1984 Torago ====

TIG welded.  Slingshot stem.  Budget Shimano RS derailleur (1981-7).
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The Torago was marketed as a "fully equipped six speed mountain bike."  No front derailleur, so it's not going up any hills.  Thus, the shoulder strap is needed for unexpected changes in elevation.

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{{1984.jpg?300|1984 Torago}}
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1984 Torago
[[https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/st-peters/men-s-bicycles/xl-malvern-star-torago-classic/1289805419|gumtree]]


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<div column 50% #s1985>
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===== 1985 Trailrider =====


TIG welded.  Twelve speeds.  Shoulder strap to prove that it's a mountain bike.  Note that the Bushranger, with a front triple, doesn't get a shoulder strap.

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{{1985.jpg?300|1985 Trailrider}}
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1985 Trailrider
[[http://bloggingadeadhorse.com/supermax2_1985SmoothOperatorsCat.php#Catalogue|bloggingadeadhorse]]

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<div column 50% #s1987>
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===== 1987 Ventura =====

Perhaps named after the California [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventura,_California|beach town]]?
Shimano Tourney TY10GS (1987-90).

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{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Ventura}}
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1987 Ventura
[[https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/lathlain/men-s-bicycles/malvern-star-ventura-mountain-bike/1290665954|gumtree]]


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<div column 50% #s1989>
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===== 1989 Bushranger =====

Shimano Mountain LX (1988-9), ubrakes, Biopace and triple butted tubing.


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{{1989.png?300|1989 Bushranger}}
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1989 Bushranger
[[https://imgur.com/gallery/vPa7uhW|imgur]]


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<div column 50% #s1991>
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===== 1991 Mahou =====

//Mahou// is Japanese for "witchcraft" and Malvern Star is probably using a Japanese supplier.  Note that one of their models at this time is called a "Prairie Breaker," which is also a [[shogun:start|Shogun]] model name.
Shimano Tourney TY15 (1991).


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{{1991.jpg?300|1991 Mahou}}
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1991 Mahou
[[https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bald-hills/men-s-bicycles/malvern-star-mahou-22inch-56cm-lrg-mtb/1288790607|gumtree]]


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