Walking into a bike shop today, a row of different trail bikes may look somewhat homogeneous. If you were to travel back in time to the 1990s, that same row of bikes would look more like a hodgepodge of experiments, with radical frame designs and suspension platforms. Few mountain bikes serve as a better example of 90s experimentation than the Trek Y-Series.
This week, I had the pleasure of reviewing and testing a completely original (and very well-preserved) 1997 Trek Y22 owned by an individual here in Brevard, NC. This particular bicycle, I believe, was a size large, yet it appears smaller than every size-small bike I own. This was normal geometry for the 90s, as mountain bikes continued their gradual trajectory away from road bikes.
Upon its release, the Y-Series captured the attention of both mountain bikers and cycling journalists for obvious reasons. The Y-shaped carbon fiber frame was—distinctive, to say the least, and it garnered mixed reactions, much like a linkage fork or 36-inch-wheeled bike might today. Almost 30 years later, it still looks as strange as it did back then.
However, the Y-Series actually addressed several challenges with full suspension platforms at the time, including pedal bob, bearing fatigue, and weight. At 25 lbs (11.34 KG), you would be hard-pressed to find a lighter full suspension bike today under $8000. Back in 1997, the Y22 was $2200, which is about $4000 when you adjust for inflation.
It’s for all these reasons that I love testing older mountain bikes. An entry-level mountain bike today is vastly more capable than even the highest-end mountain bikes were in 1997. However, the experience of riding a vintage bike is never lacking in fun. The Y22 I tested was light, ‘darty’, surprisingly smooth, and shockingly capable when pointed uphill. Downhill, the ride was absolutely terrifying, thanks to 90s geometry. Thankfully, this beautiful Y22 is back with its owner now, safe from my shenanigans.
