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We used to say 90s mtb is peak versatile.
Rigid 90s mtb is fun to ride hard on gentle trails. More fun than a 'better' bike and potentially faster. But it's a hyper specific niche of exotic bikes that have been overhauled.
Riding trails you quickly get to the point where you want suspension & discs. Really anything where you ride down any big hills. I like climbing more than descending from being traumatized over the years by shitty old bikes. If only i could just ride up the hill is something i often think.
A 7 speed XT mech goes bananas slapping the chainstay over roots.
I've never had one but i imagine a dropper is a gamechanger.
I want something like pic rel.
A retro mtb is like people who buy a hybrid and then try to get into road cycling. The bike is fun, approachable and can be fast for what is is, but it's categorically outclassed by a serious bike, and the serious bike doesn't have to be an insane price.
Genuinely good condition nice 26 rim wheelsets are at this point hens teeth so a nice build is several hundo on custom wheels. I'm not a fan of the cookie cutter 'ok' hardrock tier cromo frames with cheap-ish 1x v brake builds, or most midschool.
Tire selection for 700c has exploded. 30-35 tires can be had cheaply as ~45 is more trendy.
Those road and gravel tires are the highest spec most modern thing being sold today. 26 doesn't compare. Half the 'good' 26 tires even are like dragging through mud. Tires are the single most important component on a bike.
Other than that its utility just lies at the poverty end, with perfectly doesn't not work old shitters but to anyone enthusiastic who is investing their interest going for poverty base projects is a huge mistake and any bike that is actually in good condition will ride better. As for would most normies lives be improved by a rigid 90s mtb to haul shopping or take instead of an uber, it would immensely.
