GIANT ESCAPER

The Escaper typified the bread-andbutter ‘ATBs’ that got a ton of new riders into the sport in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Its TIG-welded, oversized chromoly steel frame and fork came complete with a colour-matched quill stem. While the 1991 model pictured was a fairly subdued red, we’ve fond memories of the previous year’s bike, which had a lime green and deep blue base coat with jazzy flourishes. Very modern under-bar shifter pods controlled the 21-speed Shimano Deore LX transmission, but massive four-finger levers still struggled to get meaningful stopping power from the plastic-coated cantilever brakes and the centre-ridge tyres were first on the must-upgrade list. The Giant Cadex CFM1 arrived in 1991, setting new standards with not just composite main tubes, but rear stays as well.