Submitted by
yokohama1970
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2009
Strengths: Solid Frame, easy to maintain Rock Shox & solid Shimano Deore LX components
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I own two Bridgestone MB-3's. The 1994 is an MTB. The 1992 is a Single Speed Urban Ride.
My 1994 Bridestone MB-3 is an Excellent Single Track Bike, & hill climber. Simple to maintain. I would never venture away from Cro-Moly or Hardtail frames. So glad eBay has old school MTB's.
Similar Products Used: 1992 Bridgestone MB-3 Single Speed Urban Bike w/ Ritchey Logic Rigid Fork.
Bike Setup: MB-3 MTB has mostly original parts. Rock Shox Quadra 10, Zoom Stem, Shimano Deore LX, etc.. Tires have been replaced a few times. A few seats over the years.
MB-3 SingleSpeed has mostly original parts except for the Chain Tensioner, new seat & 26" Road Tires.
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Submitted by
Dave Q.
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, Az. USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2009
Strengths: This is actually an MB-2. Beautiful condition, came with original brakes, (Ritchey) levers and stem / handlebar. Surprisingly light steel frame (Prestige / cro-mo mix).
Weaknesses: Wish I'd been the first owner
Bottom Line:
This is actually an MB-2. I love this bike. One of the few advantages of a poor economy is that I was able to find this bike at a super-reasonable price!
It handles extremely well, very light and nimble. The XT rear derailuer has a short cage, which is rare, in addition to the smaller cog range in the rear. The shifters work really well and the brakes are sure stoppers! This is going to be my daily commuter (in Arizona).
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper, Mongoose IBOC Zero-G
Bike Setup: XT thumbshifters, derailuers, stock wheelset, Avid SD shifters and v-brakes. IRC Mythos XC tires, Specialized stock cranks.
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Submitted by
saxpride52
a Weekend Warrior
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2008
Strengths: Really nimble, original owner and it still runs so smoothly, mechanically sound.
Weaknesses: still running on a lot of original parts as i forgot about the bike for many years, so some gears don't work well. but its 15 years old...
Bottom Line:
As I grew up with the bike, i didn't realize it was such a treat until maybe a year or two ago. I personally didn't even realize it was a Bridgestone (what? tire manufacturer makes bikes??) until I needed a bike and I pulled it from the attic (after it having been there for a decade or so). Compared to all my friend's wal-mart specials, this bike is like liquid loving. What really blows me away is the confidence I have in maneuvering. I just read up there are differences in Bridgestones (read shorter chassis) which makes it turn with ease and confidence. the bike rides very smoothly too. some gears aren't working right, and i'm not a bike enthusiast right now so i'm not sure why, but other than that this bike is solid. btw here is a link to the original brochure.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1992/1992.pdf
If you come across one of these and are looking for an older, more sport oriented bike then definitely look into this bike!
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Hope, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008
Strengths: Steel frame is as smooth as butter and just keeps going for ever
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike new in 1992 and I have ridden it without trouble for many thousands of miles. It has been across Africa and to the high Arctic on some of the worst roads and toughest trails on the planet. I've commuted on city streets, pulled a BOB trailer with 70lbs of gear, and loaded it down with panniers. There is nothing that this bike can't do. Right now I'm planning to get the frame refurbished and repainted to deal with the scrapes, scratches, and rust that life throws my way. It's probably going to cost $300 but it's money well spent to keep the best bike I've ever owned on the road.
My old Bridgestone still turns a lot of heads among those who know their classic rides!
Bike Setup: I ahve upgarded the major components as they'v e worn out over the years (e.g. replaced with XT hubs and XTR derailleurs, Brooks leather saddle) Rugged old shifters are still going strong after more than 15 years
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Submitted by
herbe chun
a Downhiller
from palo alto
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2007
Strengths: exceptional ride and unique riding position
Weaknesses: ZERO
Bottom Line:
Bridgestone does not make bikes anymore, but Bridgestone's MB bikes lives on...
Similar Products Used: Never bought another bike since the Bridgestone MB-3
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
bubba
a Cross Country Rider
from South Bend ,Indiana
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2007
Strengths: duration and dependability of frame after 69,000.... original Front deraillier [suntour],& shifters 7 speed friction/index only can use friction now with 8 speed casette.
Weaknesses: none . had this bike new since 1991 after about 60,000 miles began to notice the radically detereoration of the frames livelyness
Bottom Line:
after 69,000 miles of use since 1991 this rider of 155# and with occasionaly another 25# of gear loaded for xc road touring has finally whipped this frame into submission..Thought I was going to retire it at 100,000 but I'm not having any fun climbing with it anymore it just soaks up anything I put to it. Must retire this frame now it'been a good ride off & on the roads.......
I'm looking for a Good GT Backroads frame with the ridgid chrome moly fork...17-18"..for it has eyelets for racks for touring
Bike Setup: MB-4 Ritchey tubing, fully lugged frame. one piece fork with eyelets & braze-ons..many diff components over the years
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Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Eugene, Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2007
Strengths: lugged steel, geometry and ground control.
Weaknesses: they don't make it anymore. On this model, the steel is not as good as earlier years when they used Ritchey Logic.
Bottom Line:
I have more fun on this bike than any other. I had an mb-1 back in the day and got rid of it for a bike with a suspension fork. (youthful mistake) I found this at a yardsale for 50 bucks in 2001 and bought it. I was riding a full suspension stumpjumper at the time. Now, that stump is gone. I have since added another mb-3 to commute on and found a 93 mb-1 that i have set up as a singlespeed. I rode the Kokopelli on this bike last year, really enjoyed the ride over the long haul.
Bike Setup: 1x7, thumbshifter, mostly stock with saddle, post, crank, and wheel upgrades.
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Submitted by
shy alkan
a Cross Country Rider
from Tel Aviv, Israel
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005
Strengths: Steel frame, good ride. Looks modern.
Weaknesses: for its age - no weakness
Bottom Line:
This is a 1994 MB-3 SUS. I am never selling this bike. Its fast and rugged, with a ride quality that makes me want to get on it again as soon as I finish a trail. Turning it into a singlespeed is the best thing that happend to this bike. Very stealthy - no one knows what it is (its former owner repainteded without any markings). Dumb luck finding it in a pawn shop (I didn't know what I was buying, seven years ago when I was just starting out with mountain bikes).
The bottom line is, if you get your hands on a Bridgestone, do not let it go. Steel is unbeatable.
Bike Setup: Made it into a singlespeed. A mish mash of parts, some stock, some newer. This frame makes any part look good!
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Submitted by
Pete Kelly
a Racer
from Gilbert, AZ, usa
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2005
Strengths: Classic lug frame. Grant Peterson knows what he is doing and didn't fall prey to gimicks.
Weaknesses: Where? on the MB-3....nada!
Bottom Line:
I worked at a shop and bought my MB-3 directly through our rep. back in '90. It's all red w/ yellow graphics and I wouldn't get rid of it for any $$$$. When people ask me what type of bike I have the have this glazed look when I tell them Bridgestone. Newbees just don't understand the classic styling and/or appreciate that Bridgestone made something other than tires.
Bike Setup: Stock baby! I did mangle the fork and replaced it with another steel one. The owner of the shop that put the new fork on couldn't get over the quality of the frame even though it was about 10yrs old at the time.
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Submitted by
Brandon Walburn
a Cross Country Rider
from Dunstable, MA. U.S.A
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2005
Strengths: The tougest bike you could be lucky enough to own
Weaknesses: none unless you ovalize the headtube like I have
Bottom Line:
My Bridgestone MB-3 has had many forms over the years from an all out road bike to trials to freeride,thats how the head tube went south I think the big drops in Lynn woods.I'm going to try and fix the headtube.This was my first real bike I bought as a frame and fork set in 1993.I've been a mechanic in the past and have ridden them all but nothing rides like my MB-3, My uncle has a 1994 MB-1 that I've got my eye's on but he won't part with it;smart man.If I could only go back in time and buy 10 of these things I would in a second.
Similar Products Used: jamis, kona,haro,you name it i've owned it
Bike Setup: new xt 9 spd kinesis fork spinergy wheels old school xtr yes the big chainring stuff
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Submitted by
David Harrington
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, ga
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2004
Strengths: steel, long top tube, balanced, SOLID AS A ROCK
Weaknesses: You will never want to part with it-EVER
Bottom Line:
Seriously, B-stone was such an awesome company. I have beat this bike (and I am 200 lbs) and this thing never gives out. Once, I mangled my rear der. on a log (actually twisted the body of the der. to a 45 degree angle and the dropouts didn't even budge. I am looking at a lemond ti and a cinelli but seriously I can't ever see myself riding anything else. Thank you to the person that sold me this bike (my road bike is collecting dust).
Bike Setup: stock-stock-stock-ok, one mod and that is a cinelli unicanter seat
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Submitted by
john su
a Cross Country Rider
from los angeles, ca
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2004
Strengths: steel, stiff but compliant, great handling
Weaknesses: heavy compared to modern hardtails
Bottom Line:
an update to my earlier post... i've had this bike 10 years now... gradual upgrading as parts broke including xtr 8 speed, indy xc fork. the original threaded headset or maybe its the fork is having some play now. the 1" is very limiting. the original lx crankset is still going strong although chainrings are pretty worn out. i've got a raceface turbine set waiting to put on it. i love this bike and with the "new" used white/217 wheelset i just got it just flies up hills (had lx/rhynolites previously) and the weights down to 26.5 from 28.5 stock. the frame is close to 5.5lbs i believe so i'm tempted to upgrade to a lighter 853 steel or titanium 3-4lbs frame. the mb3 maybe retired to commuting duty only but i still love it.
Bike Setup: upgraded to 1" threaded indy xc, xtr 8 speed shifters, selle saddle, white industry/217 wheels, 26.5lbs
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Submitted by
steve c
a Cross Country Rider
from bradford ma
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003
Strengths: incredible frameset. ritchey logic tubing is great, steel is great anyway.
Weaknesses: has a long top tube for me. but other than that, nothing!!
Bottom Line:
great bike for the money at the time and still today. show me where you can get a steel lugged complete bike for $700 new!! and using a nice tubeset to boot!! simple design, strong frame, decent parts, short money to upgrade the front end, couldn't have done any better!! love the bike dont think i'll ever part with it. unless of course the right amount was thrown my way!!!
Similar Products Used: none. my first mtb. although now i just got a used Ted Wojcik full suspension frame for a project build.
Bike Setup: kept it stock for a bit and i ended up changing out the front end to a Specialized FS Carbon fork (basically a Rock shox Mag 21), Answer bar and stem and changed to Grip Shift. everything else is still stock and running strong. original paint job, maroon, is still good too!!
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Submitted by
Rose Battle G
a Cross Country Rider
from Beaufort, SC
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2003
Strengths: Resiliant, well balanced, versatile, nimble, hard, perfect fit. I purchased this bike in the fall of 1992 and have been riding it ever since-- for 11 years now. Won a couple NORBA cross country races on it from 93-96. In my last race in 96 I was noticably the only competitor with no suspension and my Bridgestone MB-3 was admired by all. I take this bike everywhere with me. It has been on hard top, gravel roads, single track and snow. It has been used for racing, weekend trail riding, weekend road riding, commuting and I even used it while hunting for pheasant--just sling my shotgun on my back and have my dog run through the ditches when she points I jump off my Bridgestone and shoot. It has been looking a little rough lately but nothing a good cleaning can't take care of. She is one of the best investments I have ever made in my life.
Weaknesses: This product has no weaknesses. The only weakness is that they are sadly no longer sold in the US.
Bottom Line:
This bike will be with me until the very end. It is hard to believe that there would be anybody out there who would get rid of or sell this awesome machine.
Bike Setup: I have Deore XT brakes, Deore XT front derailer, Deore LX crank, Selle Italia Seat, Shamano PD M525 pedals, Specialized Handlebar Grips, Specialized Small Bar Ends and I am on a third set of tires--Mongoose Hanz. I have a stock rear derailer and stock Richey wheels. It is a 15.5 inch and a beautiful maroon color which polishes really well.
