Technology is
constantly evolving and plays an important role in racing performance
at all levels, especially the pro levels. Back in 1993, the top pro
downhillers such as Herbold, Donovan, Lopes, and King were the
first to get the new Rock Shox Judy with a whopping 3 inches of travel.
The rest of us were stuck with Manitou II's, Rock Shox Mag 20's and
early Marzocchi shocks- all of which were much better than my 1992
Tange Shockblade!! Myles and Missy were breaking in Cannondale's new
HeadShock on their rigs.
BELOW: is my 1993 Diamond Dual Response. Dave Cullinan also rode this rig (until he temporarily left the scene due to heart problems caused by a crash). The first year Dual Response was made in Italy for Diamondback (I believe by Ferraci or something like that). The welds and blue anodizing looked very cool back then- I still love the way this bike looks.
BELOW: is my 1993 Diamond Dual Response. Dave Cullinan also rode this rig (until he temporarily left the scene due to heart problems caused by a crash). The first year Dual Response was made in Italy for Diamondback (I believe by Ferraci or something like that). The welds and blue anodizing looked very cool back then- I still love the way this bike looks.
BELOW: The Dart was the front tire
of choice for many of us back in the early '90's. The profile was so
square that I get scared just thinking about the corners I took at
speed- oh, most of us ran regular tubes.
BELOW: Chainring guides were not
readily available and cost a lot of money to us poor downhillers back
in the day. To keep my chain from popping off I would zip tie a
cantilever brake pad to the front derailer. I actually ran 170mm
Shimano Ultegra crank with a 50 tooth chainring on the inside and a 53
tooth chainring on the outside. The 53 Tooth was just to keep the chain
from popping off the outside. The chain never left my inside ring. We
can debate the chainring size needed, but that's what I ran and it
worked well at Mt. Snow and St. Anne.
BELOW: Going from 3 inches of travel
to 8 inches is no big deal- JUST KIDDING. Today's bikes have 7-10
inches of travel, most between 8 and 9 inches of rear wheel travel
complemented by an 8 inch travel front shock. The travel woudn't be as
effective without modified geomentry. Shorter top tubes combined with
slacker head tube angles help the bike handle better when pointed DOWN.
Check out the differences in DH technology over the last 10 years.
Notice how my newer Strike has a longer wheelbase, yet shorter top
tube. If you plan on getting serious in racing- learn bike geometry and
how it impacts different courses.
BELOW: A middle aged guy who still
loves to ride like an 8-year old and doesn't have the heart to sell any
of his bikes.
