Side view of the tank--still looking good (and not beater-like enough) after all these years. Maybe one of these days it will get its own web page, like Canny and the 'bent.

1996 Raleigh M30

Felix Wong's avatar
by |

In the summer of 1996, I acquired my first mountain bike—a robust 1996 Raleigh M30, equipped with reliable Shimano Altus C90 components and purchased for $259.99 plus $20.14 tax at Cardinal Bicycle Shop on 1555 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, California. This 20″ bike, sporting a creatively named H-Blue-O Khrome Doppler color, quickly earned the affectionate nickname “The Tank” due to its substantial 33-pound weight, including accessories like a rear rack.

Throughout that summer, it served dutifully for my daily commute between Palo Alto and Berkeley during an engineering job between my junior and senior years at Stanford University. The Shimano Rapid Fire shifters proved both quick and precise, and apart from a couple of spare tubes, the bike required minimal replacement parts over the course of 3000 miles.

A proud downtube sticker proclaimed its origin, stating that the bike was “Made in USA of US and foreign components.” This trusty companion continued to shuttle me to classes the following academic year, faithfully parked outside Wilbur Hall.

Over the following years, the bike found itself housed in different locations: at my cousin’s residence in the East Bay, with my friend Adam in the South Bay, and later at my parents’ home in Stockton. Remarkably, it still shifts and rolls seamlessly, with no need for component replacements. This enduring machine seems almost eager for an epic adventure. Meanwhile, it patiently awaits its next commuter duty in standby mode.

Specs

ItemComponentComments
FrameTIG-weldedchromoly seat tube/hi-tensile steel, oversized and ovalized
ForkRaleighhi-tensile steel, unicrown
RimsWeinmann 51926×1.50/559, silver, Made in USA
Front hubunknown
Rear hubunknown
SpokesChung Nan36 spokes, stainless steel, 2.0 mm straight gauge
Spoke nipplesbrass
TiresDuro Diamond Grip26×2.00, nylon, inflate to 45 PSI
CrankTracer triple38/32/24T
ChainKMC UG-501/2 x 3/32″
FreewheelShimano Altus 7-speed11-28 cassette
Bottom BracketVictor VPBVC-90P116 mm spindle; 66 mm English BB shell
Front DerailleurShimano Altustop-swing, bottom-pull/bottom bracket mount
Rear DerailleurShimano Altus
Shifters/Brake LeversShimano Altus EZ Fire
HandlebarsLive Chin LCH-685Sflat
StemLive Chin LCS-739N
HeadsetVictor VP-H671″
Front BrakeShimano Altuscantilever
Rear BrakeShimano Altuscantilever
Seat PostHsin Lung SP-20026.0 mm diameter, black
SaddleSelle StratosHypersoft
Handlebar tapeblack foam grips
PedalsWellgo LU-943rat cage
Total Weight>30 pounds>13.6 kg
Components table for a stock 1996 Raleigh M300 mountain bike.

Before I paid for and took possession of the bike, I asked the bike shop to swap the stock stem for a lower and longer one, a request they fulfilled without hesitation. The bicycle also included a silver kickstand and reflectors.

I promply added the following accessories:

  • blue PowerGrips to the pedals
  • black bar-end extensions (probably from Target or Performance) to the handlebars
  • black rear rack (probably from Target or Performance) + bungee cords
  • blue water bottle cages
  • Performance U-Lock

Catalog Page

From the 1996 Raleigh USA bicycle catalog:

The Raleigh M30 rigid mountain bike as shown in the 1996 Raleigh USA Bicycle Company buyer's guide.
Photo: worthpoint.com
The Raleigh M30 rigid mountain bike as shown in the 1996 Raleigh USA Bicycle Company buyer's guide.

Apparently, the bicycle was also available in a blue-to-red fade called Patriot Doppler.

More info about the bike can be found on BikePedia, knowyourbike.com and yobicycle.com.

Update 2025-05-03

I still have the bike, keeping it stored at my parents’ home in California. I replaced the tires last year out of an abundance of caution since the 28-year-old tires were very cracked, but otherwise, all the other original parts remain.

Today I rode the bike in the Delta Century. This 100-miler is its longest ride to date. So after 29 years, it finally made it into the triple-digit-mile-ride club!

Side view of the tank--still looking good (and not beater-like enough) after all these years. Maybe one of these days it will get its own web page, like Canny and the 'bent.
Side view of the tank--still looking good (and not beater-like enough) after all these years. Maybe one of these days it will get its own web page, like Canny and the 'bent.