Specialized M2 Info Thread/Serial Registry
- Thread starter Neko
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Neko
Specialized Fan
I think this has been repainted. The paint looks too thick, and the decal placement is way off. It should be a 1991 M2 or M2 Team, built in 1990.
Thanks
Veloseum
Dirt Disciple
I've got an interesting very early S-Works M2 Team for the hive mind here to mull over. Judging by the serial was made in 1990. Stamped with serial number 90T00880.
Decals feature M2 Team Issue, S logo head tube but without "works", arc en ciel globe logo 1990 World Championship win with Neds signature, and Duralcan logo. It's decaled near identical to the '92 advert for the elusive 500, seen earlier in this thread. The DT and TT placement closely mirror member Matley 64's frame pictured above, and serial numbers aren't far off from one another. It does not have the normal ST decals found on these, but has an older Specialized logo in place instead. It does not appear to be a repaint from what I can tell, but mine still very closely resembles the limited '92 release. Logos all appear to be original from factory and under clear coat, from what I can see.
Other noteworthy features: Riveted cable guides, DT guide is larger than later models and further down tube, HT/DT gusset is smaller than later models, 1" head tube, original matching 1" threaded DD rigid cro-mo steel fork, seat post clamp is squared off, chain stay brace appears larger diameter than later models, Kryptonite sponsorship(?) decals. Sadly the paints rather rough in many areas, but I've heard this was quite common with the earliest M2 Team Issues due to a lack of primer and poor paint adhesion to the M2 alloy.
So I'm thinking either a proto, a very early release, sponsor/true team frame, or made in 1990 to be sold in 1991?
Planning to find a new home for it. It seems to be a rather rare and early example, though paint and finish is certainly "survivor condition". What do you all think it's worth in it's current state? Thanks!!
Decals feature M2 Team Issue, S logo head tube but without "works", arc en ciel globe logo 1990 World Championship win with Neds signature, and Duralcan logo. It's decaled near identical to the '92 advert for the elusive 500, seen earlier in this thread. The DT and TT placement closely mirror member Matley 64's frame pictured above, and serial numbers aren't far off from one another. It does not have the normal ST decals found on these, but has an older Specialized logo in place instead. It does not appear to be a repaint from what I can tell, but mine still very closely resembles the limited '92 release. Logos all appear to be original from factory and under clear coat, from what I can see.
Other noteworthy features: Riveted cable guides, DT guide is larger than later models and further down tube, HT/DT gusset is smaller than later models, 1" head tube, original matching 1" threaded DD rigid cro-mo steel fork, seat post clamp is squared off, chain stay brace appears larger diameter than later models, Kryptonite sponsorship(?) decals. Sadly the paints rather rough in many areas, but I've heard this was quite common with the earliest M2 Team Issues due to a lack of primer and poor paint adhesion to the M2 alloy.
So I'm thinking either a proto, a very early release, sponsor/true team frame, or made in 1990 to be sold in 1991?
Planning to find a new home for it. It seems to be a rather rare and early example, though paint and finish is certainly "survivor condition". What do you all think it's worth in it's current state? Thanks!!
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Neko
Specialized Fan
I would put my money on demo, prototype or test frame for the Team. Paint looks original, but decals are bizarre, especially the down tube placement — but most of it looks correct. I would assume the seat tube decal was a later addition?
That extended crown on the fork is weird AF. My 91 M2’s rigid fork didn’t have that, IIRC. Longer A2C for racing? Suspension corrected?
Worth? I’d put the frameset, cleaned up, at $200~240 in freedom papers, but as a complete build it is probably worth more to someone. M2 frames tend to not be especially valuable, more of a hidden gem that most people overlook, so this would be for a dedicated collector that knows what they have. I would recommemd building it up with XC Pro, and since it is a one-off of sorts, you could spice it up with some period-correct obscure/unicorn parts (not your ubiquitous Ringle or Cooks kit).
Veloseum
Dirt Disciple
Thank you! Very much appreciate your expertise and thoughts on it Neko! This one certainly seems to be a unique outlier with some very cool and rare features. Agreed on them being rather under appreciated overall and a hidden gem of sorts.
I'm leaning towards it being an early prototype or team test frame as well. I feel like there are just too many unique one-off details for it to logically be anything else, at least in my opinion. When I bought it, it was only partially built. But came with some ultra looong 184mm length arm, hollow spindle, sans end cap, keyed safety washer, 2nd gen(?) Bullseye cranks as well. Which date wise and patina wise, I think would correlate fairly well with them perhaps being original to the initial build? Hard to really know for sure though, of course.
Haha my thoughts as well. The fork is quite an oddball and a very unique feature with the funky crown extension. Completely forgot to mention that special little detail in my initial post. Looks entirely factory made/modified and original to the fork from it's inception, but not at all like any others I've ever seen. Yep, I'm assuming longer a2c for racing or suspension correction as well.
Thanks for the estimate as well. That was about what I was guessing too, valuation wise. Hoping for more as it's a rare one, but like you said, its one only a devout collector will truly appreciate and understand it's rarity and probably provenance. I've got far too many projects and irons in the fire to build this one proper and do it true justice any time soon. So I'm hoping to find a loving home / new owner to adopt it and give it the TLC it really deserves haha
I'm leaning towards it being an early prototype or team test frame as well. I feel like there are just too many unique one-off details for it to logically be anything else, at least in my opinion. When I bought it, it was only partially built. But came with some ultra looong 184mm length arm, hollow spindle, sans end cap, keyed safety washer, 2nd gen(?) Bullseye cranks as well. Which date wise and patina wise, I think would correlate fairly well with them perhaps being original to the initial build? Hard to really know for sure though, of course.
Haha my thoughts as well. The fork is quite an oddball and a very unique feature with the funky crown extension. Completely forgot to mention that special little detail in my initial post. Looks entirely factory made/modified and original to the fork from it's inception, but not at all like any others I've ever seen. Yep, I'm assuming longer a2c for racing or suspension correction as well.
Thanks for the estimate as well. That was about what I was guessing too, valuation wise. Hoping for more as it's a rare one, but like you said, its one only a devout collector will truly appreciate and understand it's rarity and probably provenance. I've got far too many projects and irons in the fire to build this one proper and do it true justice any time soon. So I'm hoping to find a loving home / new owner to adopt it and give it the TLC it really deserves haha
