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33 Vintage Freeride/Downhill Frames: To Dream of Riding Before You Die (Part II)
Devinci Big Bang and Stratos El Jefe (2000)
 | According to Buddhism, the root of suffering is neither the feeling of pain nor of sadness nor even of meaninglessness. Rather, the real root of suffering is this never-ending and pointless pursuit of ephemeral feelings, which causes us to be in a constant state of tension, restlessness and dissatisfaction. Due to this pursuit, the mind is never satisfied. Even when experiencing pleasure, it is not content, because it fears this feeling might soon disappear, and craves that this feeling should stay and intensify. |
Certain aspects of life are certainly monotonous - the older you get, particularly.
Bikes, for example, changed a lot. They changed visually, ideologically, technically - and became better in almost every their aspect.
Perhaps the more they changed, the more similar they became. And that's okay: as they underwent similar tests the optimal set of forms, proportions and dimensions was found... and the homogeneity in design, as a result, increased.
Today there is, in my humble opinion, just a handful of bikes that really stand out from the crowd. And, in my humble opinion, this tendency will continue.
Bikes, for example, changed a lot. They changed visually, ideologically, technically - and became better in almost every their aspect.
Perhaps the more they changed, the more similar they became. And that's okay: as they underwent similar tests the optimal set of forms, proportions and dimensions was found... and the homogeneity in design, as a result, increased.
Today there is, in my humble opinion, just a handful of bikes that really stand out from the crowd. And, in my humble opinion, this tendency will continue.
MK and her Santa Cruz Super 8 (2001)
| People are liberated from suffering not when they experience this or that fleeting pleasure, but rather when they understand the impermanent nature of all their feelings, and stop craving them. This is the aim of Buddhist meditation practices. |
Chumba Wumba at Interbike: F4, and Zulu DH (2002)
| As far as we can tell from a purely scientific viewpoint, human life has absolutely no meaning. Humans are the outcome of blind evolutionary processes that operate without goal or purpose. Our actions are not part of some divine cosmic plan, and if planet earth were to blow up tomorrow morning, the universe would probably keep going about its business as usual. Human subjectivity would not be missed. Hence any meaning that people inscribe to their lives is just a delusion... |
...Last two years have really put things into perspective for me. I have bikes I have no access to, nor I have desire to ride them (for now).
But it all made me wonder: what was my original intention? What was the purpose of hunting down the rarest frames on the planet, buying, riding them for a season, letting them go - only to try to find something ever rarer yet again?
Was it my scientific pursuit, my sincere curiosity?
But it all made me wonder: what was my original intention? What was the purpose of hunting down the rarest frames on the planet, buying, riding them for a season, letting them go - only to try to find something ever rarer yet again?
Was it my scientific pursuit, my sincere curiosity?
Empire AP-1 (2009)
| Poverty, sickness, wars, famines old age and death itself were not the inevitable fate of humankind. They were simply the fruits of our ignorance... |
SPECIALIZED DEMO 9
| Don't they have a history of sueing people? |
The question of whether there should be a distinction between art and the artist is a topic of an eternal debate. While I ultimately taught myself to see this distinction and recognize the masterpieces for what they are, I must admit that the personalities behind the works often... add distinctive flavors.
That's exactly why I never was a fan of Specialized, and the only Specialized product I currently have in my possession is Specialized socks. Long story short: I had no choice back then. I had to. Those were the only socks they had in stock.
But socks were good. Specialized Demo 9 is almost as good as Specialized socks. Hefty, but with a low center of gravity; stable, and rigid...
That's exactly why I never was a fan of Specialized, and the only Specialized product I currently have in my possession is Specialized socks. Long story short: I had no choice back then. I had to. Those were the only socks they had in stock.
But socks were good. Specialized Demo 9 is almost as good as Specialized socks. Hefty, but with a low center of gravity; stable, and rigid...
Specialized Demo 9 (2004)
| I got on a Demo 9 about 3 weeks ago now and I'm loving it! I got my first glance and ride of the beast 2 days before the RedBull rampage. At first look you are amazed by the little details and fine tuning done to this machine. The forged headtube is a piece of work in itself. Taking out all the welds in the front of the headtube and directing stress to the monocoque front end. I can't really see where this bike can break up there. Looking head on at the bike you see zero welds. They lowered the standover, wider and lower bottom bracket... |
Specialized Demo 9 at the BC Place Stadium (2004)
| After breaking my FSR Big Hit a few years back and getting no love from corporate, I never thought I'd be considering Specialized again. But with my test ride of the new Specialized Demo 9 last October, I'm not sure I can consider anything else. Bar-none, it was the best bike I rode at Interbike 2003, and I rode a bunch. |
Around 15 years ago we in Ukraine used to have a golden standard: the mk1 Big Hit (24-inch version) as the ideal entry level full-suspension; the mk2 Big Hit for the ultimate strength and absolute indestructibility; and the Demo 9 for those who were higher in the food chain (second-hand, obviously).
The Demo 9 wasn't as strong as the Big Hit mk2, and usually cracked all over the place - particularly around the links and shock mounts... but cracks around the links and the mounts, even if, almost never proceeded.
The Demo 9 wasn't as strong as the Big Hit mk2, and usually cracked all over the place - particularly around the links and shock mounts... but cracks around the links and the mounts, even if, almost never proceeded.
Specialized Demo 9 (2004)
| Syncer, we've talked about it for like thousands of times in our Demo 9 club. Just join our club, and we'll take it from there. Anyway *inserts an image with Demo 9 and 5 red arrows around the linkages* here's where they crack. As far as the headtube cracks go I haven't seen a single one yet. |
Steve Romaniuk and his Specialized Demo 9 on RedBull Rampage (2004)
| It was really Specialized's first foray into extreme freeride following the very successful 'Big Hit' range of bikes and frames; with a higher bottom bracket, steeper geometry and more progressive suspension setup as compared to DH race bikes of its time. It was a heavy frame, as heavy as a Banshee Scream, and about as tough, but many of the Demo 9 frames cracked in the 'rib cage shock basket' due to a forging and heat treatment fault. Specialized took care of this issue 100% for all genuine owners. |
Rotec RL9 (2009)
ROTEC RL9
| This is the finest DH frame I have ever raced and ridden. The rock gardens can be tackled at speeds you cannot understand, the rear wheel finds traction you didn't think was there. It pumps through the trail like no other. Its quiet floating shock suspension design is amazing. If you ride an RL9 you would know. You would also never ride another frame. Nobody will be dissapointed on a Rotec. Only happy people on this ride. |
You know why you don't see many of them for sale? One of the primary reasons is because those who have them tend to keep them for life. If I could have kept mine, I would have kept mine too. I miss mine.
This is a true downhill machine with character, personality, and flavor. Majestic welds and looks. Steering stabilizer (!) on the earlier models.
This frame feels unbelievably similar to PDC DH-One: you get this sensation that you're kind of floating over the terrain, amused by how seamless your rear suspension feels. It's like a PDC, but with a slacker, more downhill geometry.
This is a true downhill machine with character, personality, and flavor. Majestic welds and looks. Steering stabilizer (!) on the earlier models.
This frame feels unbelievably similar to PDC DH-One: you get this sensation that you're kind of floating over the terrain, amused by how seamless your rear suspension feels. It's like a PDC, but with a slacker, more downhill geometry.
Rotec RL9 prototype (2004)
| Its the best bike i have ridden in a long time. This frame is awesome, runs over and through anything. Super nice geometry, great standover height, corners like its on rails without the need for a stupidly low bottom bracket. Pisses all over my Factory Sunday, this is a world class bike that should be more popular. Its nimble, and rides light. The steering damper mount I personally think is pointless. Shock can be hard to get tight on the lower mounting bolt due to the thickness of the mount (each side is 10mm thick!), so these do not pull in that easy. |
Rotec RL9 (2007)
| I have owned some great bikes but this one takes the cake. It pedals beautifully and corners better than any bike I've ridden thus far. Its amazingly stable in the rough, I'm officially a Lawwill fan! I also have to thank Sully at Rotec for some pretty great customer relations, within a week of me buying the frame I got a PM on another forum from him thanking me for buying a frame and letting me know if I had any problems to let him know. I don't know of any other company owners that would do that for a customer. |
Due to limited space not all shocks will fit, like on Balfa BB7s. The bottom bracket is pretty much the lower pivot itself, so one has to exercise particular caution when rebuilding it or taking it apart. Although the floating rear brake on RL9 is different from the conventional floating rear brakes (the one found here is identical to Tomac 204 Magnum's) you are still limited to hubs with removable caps like Sunringle Abbah SOS... perhaps getting the rear wheel on and off can be somewhat annoying...
...but, if I am completely honest, I am having a hard time coming up with weaknesses. They are brilliant. They were beautifully welded, meticulously assembled, and people who had a chance to ride one almost always say exclusively positive things. Like me.
...but, if I am completely honest, I am having a hard time coming up with weaknesses. They are brilliant. They were beautifully welded, meticulously assembled, and people who had a chance to ride one almost always say exclusively positive things. Like me.
Rotec RL9 prototype at Interbike (2004)
| This bike is great for big guys and gals due to the beefiness of the frame, but also great for small guys and girls due to the low standover height. The customer service is great, as Rotec is basically a one man operation. For me, the Rotec is a great choice among its competitors (V10, M3, etc.), if you can deal with being limited on the selection of some parts due to the frame design. I know that in the coming years, the Rotec will support a larger variety of components... |
Brooklyn Machine Works Rubber Duckie (2002)
RUBBER DUCK
| I believe two of those frames were made. Joe at BMW did the design and fabrication on them. I think the other Duckie frame went to the guy who modded the fork. He was in California or somewhere on the United States West coast. Small world. |
I received a message on a Christmas morning of 2014. The guy asked me whether I am interested in buying his Avalanche MTN-10 forks that sat on a Brooklyn. I shrug my shoulders: I didn't believe it. Already back then most people thought their DHFs are the MTNs and didn't see any difference.
So he sent me pictures, and when I saw the forks my jaw dropped. There they were: one of just seven ever made (?), sitting on what I thought was a Big Link. I never saw another pair for sale, before nor after. I don't think I ever will.
So he said that I can have the frame too, if I wanted. I, thinking it was your ordinary Big Link, hesitatingly agreed. Little did I know. What the f*ck!
So he sent me pictures, and when I saw the forks my jaw dropped. There they were: one of just seven ever made (?), sitting on what I thought was a Big Link. I never saw another pair for sale, before nor after. I don't think I ever will.
So he said that I can have the frame too, if I wanted. I, thinking it was your ordinary Big Link, hesitatingly agreed. Little did I know. What the f*ck!
Brooklyn Machine Works Rubber Duck (2002)
| This bike weighs in at around 76 lbs. With it’s fork off the front end of a CR80 dirt bike, and it’s 13 inches of rear suspension via a Works shock, it is obvious that this bike is nothing short of experimental. |
Micce in New York, picking up his Rubber Duck (2004)
| One of a kind. I pulled it away from the wall and sat down on it. I’d never felt anything quite like it. |
There is nothing like it.
I quickly realized it wasn't a Big Link. There were only two Rubber Ducks ever made: one belonged to Micce, a guy from Sweden who flew to New York to pick up his bike. It was stolen in Les Gets, never to be seen again.
And then there was the second one: the one I accidentally bought. Identical to number one, same color even - just slightly different cogs here and there, an Öhlins shock, and the Avalanche MTN-10 forks - instead of Honda's CR80.
Back then I wasn't sure there were two, so I reached out to Doc. Tried to reach out to Micce - no luck...
I quickly realized it wasn't a Big Link. There were only two Rubber Ducks ever made: one belonged to Micce, a guy from Sweden who flew to New York to pick up his bike. It was stolen in Les Gets, never to be seen again.
And then there was the second one: the one I accidentally bought. Identical to number one, same color even - just slightly different cogs here and there, an Öhlins shock, and the Avalanche MTN-10 forks - instead of Honda's CR80.
Back then I wasn't sure there were two, so I reached out to Doc. Tried to reach out to Micce - no luck...
Assembling the Rubber Duck (2002)
| Rob assured me that it would never be put into production. The bike itself is so specific it puts most anything but pure downhill out of the question... |
Joe and Micce (2004)
| Once you’ve reached the top and wrestled it off the chair lift, that bike takes on a life of it’s own, and it goes downhill fast. |
Forget about wheelies. Forget about cornering. Forget about bunny hops. Not one of us in Kyiv could simultaneously lift off both wheels off the ground. The frame alone, with 10.5 Manitou Revox, was almost 30 pounds (!), or 12.5 kilograms. Every airline I flew with told me this is the last time I'm boarding the plane with this bike.
It's so niche that whenever you're at the bike park you feel awkward. Everyone stares in disbelief at you the moment you're purchasing the lift ticket. If you aren't ready for that kind of attention you quickly start questioning your life choices, wondering where was it your parents went wrong.
But nothing beats this. As hardcore as it gets.
When we rode it down the stairs we didn't notice any stairs. Seated. We tried it seated with an open beer, too. It passed the test.
Travel? Actually bottomless. There is no end. Even if you try to bottom out purposefully it just keeps coming. I agree that it's very trail-specific and you'll feel out of place on 9 out of 10 occasions. But... if you're taking it down a very technical, steep trail; if there's room to breathe, and you learned to manage its weight, pinpointing in advance...
It's so niche that whenever you're at the bike park you feel awkward. Everyone stares in disbelief at you the moment you're purchasing the lift ticket. If you aren't ready for that kind of attention you quickly start questioning your life choices, wondering where was it your parents went wrong.
But nothing beats this. As hardcore as it gets.
When we rode it down the stairs we didn't notice any stairs. Seated. We tried it seated with an open beer, too. It passed the test.
Travel? Actually bottomless. There is no end. Even if you try to bottom out purposefully it just keeps coming. I agree that it's very trail-specific and you'll feel out of place on 9 out of 10 occasions. But... if you're taking it down a very technical, steep trail; if there's room to breathe, and you learned to manage its weight, pinpointing in advance...
Brooklyn Machine Works Rubber Duck (2002)
| To pilot this bike you must think of it as an engineless FMX. It has more motorbike than bicycle to it: while you'll feel in disarray at first, once you find the long, wide technical trails with drops... you'll realize that the experiment, after all, was a success. The pinnacle of experimentation. |
Rocky Mountain RM7 Wade Simmon's edition (2003)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RM7
| Dude...I got one brand new. It was my first 'long travel' bike. A few road gaps here and there, and It fell apart on me. It's not just mine either. There's a good amount of Rocky Mountain horror stories. On top of that... good luck dealing with Rocky Mountain customer support. Dealers are scarce too! |
You could say he just likes to crash, like his username suggests - but the reality is that this frame was the Kona meme long before the Kona meme. Aesthetically they nostalgically please the eye. You could say that's their sole purpose.
I myself have one. It is absolutely majestic with the Avalanche MTN-8. But I am not riding it until I machine custom RMX-like linkages for it.
The frame itself? Do not bend. The links are wet noodles. You'll be tightening the minuscule bolts and replacing the pivot bearings all day long, and watching the cracks grow at night.
There's no denying it's iconic. We know it is.
I myself have one. It is absolutely majestic with the Avalanche MTN-8. But I am not riding it until I machine custom RMX-like linkages for it.
The frame itself? Do not bend. The links are wet noodles. You'll be tightening the minuscule bolts and replacing the pivot bearings all day long, and watching the cracks grow at night.
There's no denying it's iconic. We know it is.
Rocky Mountain RM7 (2002)
| I have been riding an 2004 RMX, and so far the rear linkage has been great. Very stiff and beefy. No problems, and compared to my buddy's RM7, it is much stiffer and stronger. |
Rocky Mountain RM7 Wade Simmon's edition (2003)
| Brace yourself... I've broken the frame and bent linkage three times in about two months. I cracked the frame at the shock mount on the front triangle, bent the linkage, broke every bolt in the linkage, including the big pivot near the bottom bracket. Quote from the Rocky Mountain Catalog: 'freeride competitions, big air, urban assault, North Shore stunts, you name it, Simmons owns it... ride that sucks... up everything from washboard to 50-foot road gaps.' Wait, are they saying that a 14 year old boy, 150lbs, rides harder that Wade Simmons? |
You know why I am absolutely in love with 2008 Specialized Big Hits?
Well, after years of reviewing and riding bikes I sincerely believe that 2008 Big Hit is one of the strongest and most reliable frames ever created. Furthermore, their liveries melt my heart every time.
The RM7s and RM9s have some of the sickest liveries that ever came on production bikes, and if it wasn't for them I'd probably never would have even considered securing one. So if you want one - get the flame.
Well, after years of reviewing and riding bikes I sincerely believe that 2008 Big Hit is one of the strongest and most reliable frames ever created. Furthermore, their liveries melt my heart every time.
The RM7s and RM9s have some of the sickest liveries that ever came on production bikes, and if it wasn't for them I'd probably never would have even considered securing one. So if you want one - get the flame.
Rocky Mountain RM7 swingarm (2002)
| My two cents: Rocky Mountain don't know how to manufacture strong frames. They look fantastic on the shop displays, that they can do right... but RIDING them? My RM6 is dead, the RM7 is cracking - and every other RM7 I stumbled across was already cracked. Perhaps the RMX is stronger, but for now I wouldn't have faith. Makes me sad, given how beautiful they are - and how the suspension feels. |
Devinci Big Bang (2002)
DEVINCI BIG BANG
| I honestly don't quite understand sometimes. The whole point of having a jackshaft is placing the jackshaft on the pivot itself, like guys at Brooklyn Machine Works always did. That's the ideal solution, if we're actually taking things that far. Devinci Big Bang, however, has its jackshaft *next to* the pivot... |
Before I proceed with telling you all the things I don't like about Big Bang let me express how much of an honor it was to take it out for a spin, and how many pioneering ideas for the world of mountain-biking it brought to the table.
Aesthetically and experimentally, in my humble opinion, few things come close. It's as if everybody knows that: the only bike people take more pictures with is, unsurprisingly, the Apocalypse.
The refined Devinci Big Bang had: the floating rear brake; 20mm rear axle (!); adjustable geometry; changeable travel; adjustable seatpost position (you could slide it front and back); and even a first of its kind suspension lockout (!!!) system.
Aesthetically and experimentally, in my humble opinion, few things come close. It's as if everybody knows that: the only bike people take more pictures with is, unsurprisingly, the Apocalypse.
The refined Devinci Big Bang had: the floating rear brake; 20mm rear axle (!); adjustable geometry; changeable travel; adjustable seatpost position (you could slide it front and back); and even a first of its kind suspension lockout (!!!) system.
Devinci Big Bang prototypes (2000)
| Despite the somewhat progressive graphs, suspension always felt incredibly linear to me. Sometimes you wonder whether it works at all, until you bottom it out. Then you know it actually did, you just didn't notice it at work. Not a bad thing, but it's almost as if it plows through its travel too fast... |
Devinci Big Bang (2000)
| You could install a piece of rotor and a caliper installed on the lower linkage. With the help of an extra brake you could actually lockout your suspension on long pedalling sections! |
The later version (the one I had a pleasure to experience) offered many quality of life improvements over the original prototypes - like the adjustable and more elegant seatpost, floating rear brake, 20mm rear axle, a thicker, butted and welded (not bolt-on) downtube and an ability to accommodate a slightly longer rear shock (if you don't mind shaving some metal off the top link and drilling an extra hole, that is).
Feeling- and handling-wise it's a mix of Balfa BB7, Noveau Riche and Cortina DH-8; weight-wise it's definitely more like the steel Noveau Riche. Most of its weight is concentrated around the jackshaft and the massive rectangular dual-top tubes.
While I never felt its geometry was particularly comfortable, I noticed that half an hour of riding was more than enough to get used to it...
While I admit that I find it more pleasurable looking at it than actually riding it, the name matches it perfectly. A leap forward.
Feeling- and handling-wise it's a mix of Balfa BB7, Noveau Riche and Cortina DH-8; weight-wise it's definitely more like the steel Noveau Riche. Most of its weight is concentrated around the jackshaft and the massive rectangular dual-top tubes.
While I never felt its geometry was particularly comfortable, I noticed that half an hour of riding was more than enough to get used to it...
While I admit that I find it more pleasurable looking at it than actually riding it, the name matches it perfectly. A leap forward.
Devinci Big Bang and its lockout system (2000)
| Its development was a keystone to all future Devinci's high-pivot designs. |
KARPIEL APOCALYPSE
| I would like to dispel a couple things about this bike. First of all, yes it is a tank - no, it is not heavy! My built up bike weighed in at 43 lbs. Yes, it is heavier than most world cup DH bikes, but this is an entirely different style of bike. |
While I am not fond of Armageddons and believe they ride like fossils in comparison to modern bikes, I always thought they were ahead of their time.
Apocalypse? Apocalypse was twice ahead of its time. From a certain point of view one could say it arrived exactly on schedule and shaped the future of extreme mountain biking... but the concept and the execution itself was almost flawless.
Almost, because: quick-release, and the integrated rear derailleur hanger... the Apocalypse mk2 (above), however, had that right.
Apocalypse? Apocalypse was twice ahead of its time. From a certain point of view one could say it arrived exactly on schedule and shaped the future of extreme mountain biking... but the concept and the execution itself was almost flawless.
Almost, because: quick-release, and the integrated rear derailleur hanger... the Apocalypse mk2 (above), however, had that right.
Karpiel Apocalypse (2001)
| This bike was made to do one thing and it does it well. That's soaking up anything and everything you can throw at it and ask for more. It'll definitely open your eyes to lines you never thought possible. |
Bender's Karpiel Apocalypse (2004)
| The second thing most people get confused is this, the second air shock is NOT a blow off shock. It is there to work with the back shock to prevent harsh bottoming. It is activated about a 2/3 of the way through the travel. |
But there's much more. Decrease its air pressure and you'll have it work simultaneously in tandem with the coil shock. Pump in as much air as is allowed and you'll, indeed, have a blow off shock. Play with the air pressure, and you'll have it activated on 3/4, or on 2/3, or on 1/2 of the way through its 12.5 inches of travel! Do what you want!
And you can adjust the settings on the air shock as well. For instance, you can have a fast rebound on your coil shock, and very slow rebound on your air shock so that, if necessary, your air shock eats the excessive rebound of the coil shock.
What I am trying to say is that this frame is much more versatile than people typically think. If you ever come across one you'll be surprised it's much lighter than you expected; more refined than you probably expected; and rather compact for its caliber.
And you can adjust the settings on the air shock as well. For instance, you can have a fast rebound on your coil shock, and very slow rebound on your air shock so that, if necessary, your air shock eats the excessive rebound of the coil shock.
What I am trying to say is that this frame is much more versatile than people typically think. If you ever come across one you'll be surprised it's much lighter than you expected; more refined than you probably expected; and rather compact for its caliber.
Bender's Karpiel Apocalypse (2003)
| When the Apocalypse was originally designed the concept was for the air shock to kick in as the coil shock was bottoming or nearing bottom. It adds about 2” of additional travel for a total of 13”. I do believe it was developed for Bender, who was having a problem with being bucked over the bars on big landings. In Benders mind it may have been developed for increased rebound effectiveness, but in reality it is the extra travel that makes the big difference... |
Karpiel Apocalypse (2001)
| Why were there so few made? 20 years ago you could get the Apocalypse for 3600 dollars, or you could get the Armageddon for 3000 dollars - or for 2800 dollars if you ordered one through GoRide... and there were no discounts for the Apocalypses, so the choice was obvious for most. |
I accidentally stumbled across mine on auto classifieds in Utah. I almost begged on my knees he sends it overseas.
Mine was yellow, with a very bizarre serial number. Looked like the one from New World Disorder 3 credits. Questionably welded, not even factory aligned: the left dropout, for example, sits slightly higher than the right dropout...
It doesn't matter. We, in our humble lounge, joke that frames like these choose their owners. Mine chose me twice. And literally never failed me.
Mine was yellow, with a very bizarre serial number. Looked like the one from New World Disorder 3 credits. Questionably welded, not even factory aligned: the left dropout, for example, sits slightly higher than the right dropout...
It doesn't matter. We, in our humble lounge, joke that frames like these choose their owners. Mine chose me twice. And literally never failed me.
Krispy and Karpiel Apocalypse at GoRide (2006)
| Its not such a great concept because its actually a band-aid solution to a bad design for what they were trying to do with it... |
Canfield Fatty Fat (2003)
CANFIELD FATTY FAT
| I was racing the Norba Nationals and doing pretty well but in the background, I was riding with Krispy and Bender and all my freeride bros (shoutout to the Telluride Crew), shooting videos for Double Down and other videos. I got call from Todd Barber and next thing I know, I have an invite to some crazy competition called Red Bull Rampage. The month before the event, the Moab Rim had the first Freeride competition on the Moab Rim and it was a humbling experience watching all my bros send it on such unforgiving rock. Krispy won and I took second, the fire was lit for Rampage. I rode a Canfield blue Fatty Fat with an Avalanche fork, what a year! |
[From the author] It has been my personal experience that there are products meant only for display and wow-factor. There are things that are meant to attract attention; to make people drop their jaws; to showcase what may be achieved, if desired - but with no intention of further practical purpose. From what I know, Avalanche MTN-10s were simply a wow-factor product. When I got my hands on one I thought it'll blow my socks off - like the MTN-8 instantly did. I had high hopes because the MTN-8 is, simply, the best dual-crown fork I ever had a chance to ride. I reasonably expected the MTN-10 to feel as good, if not better. But it didn't.
I still, however, sincerely believe no other big fork is more sophisticated and elegant, and nothing pleases the eye like the MTN-10 does. The reason why I am talking about it is because visually, as I see it, no other frame complements the MTN-10s like the Canfield's Fatty Fat does.
Canfield Fatty Fats and Signature Series are meant to be ridden - and to be ridden hard.
I still, however, sincerely believe no other big fork is more sophisticated and elegant, and nothing pleases the eye like the MTN-10 does. The reason why I am talking about it is because visually, as I see it, no other frame complements the MTN-10s like the Canfield's Fatty Fat does.
Canfield Fatty Fats and Signature Series are meant to be ridden - and to be ridden hard.
Lance Canfield and Canfield Signature on RedBull Rampage (2003)
| The first bike we built was the Big Fat Fatty Fat in 1999 with a massive 12" of travel. I needed a bike that could handle the raw un-groomed and aggressive DH trails of the time, specifically the Moab Rim in Moab Utah. A lift accessed a short and steep slickrock decent and the trail broke everything. As great as the BF3 was, it had to have a sky high BB to not drag your chainrings in the ground. It was also a bit linear so for the travel, it actually bottomed out a little too easy for really big drops. It rode great compared to the bikes of the time but i knew we could do better... |
Canfield Brothers Fatty Fat with Avalanche DHF-8 and DHS at Interbike (2004)
| ...So I went back into AutoCad and designed the Fatty Fat, a scaled back version with 10" of travel and could accommodate a 8" to 10" fork with great geo for DH racing. Considering where modern geo has gone, it actually worked quite well with a 12" fork. It was more progressive, had sick bump compliance and braking but still pedaled relatively well for such a big bike. She wasn't light but all the bikes at the time (that didn't break) where about the same. The Fatty Fat was a downhill race bike for business and a freeride huck bike when you wanted to party. |
Canfield Fatty Fat and Avalanche DHF-8 (2003)
| What was the intention? I was racing a bunch back then and the intent was to make a bike that would give me an advantage. Not only did it perform well on the track, it gave the rider a massive amount of confidence when shit got crazy which was totally the point back then. Go BIG or go home, haha (thanks Bender). |
Canfield Signature Series (2004)
| What was the purpose? After building and racing the Big Fat Fatty Fat, we had quite a few friends that took note and expressed interest in having us make them one. I told them no, it needs some revisions and left it at that. I jumped all over the redesign and not long after, reached back out to my friends and let them know I was ready. I sent them 3D renderings of what it would be like and the geometry. I don't recall a single person backing out, and so it was on! |
There were around 16 Fatty Fats and 6 Signature Series frames - each of them being a custom one-offs that used the same rear triangle and the upper link as Fatty Fats. All of them were handmade by Lance and Chris Canfield.
Killer bump compliance, with braking that squatted so even very steep terrain was inspiring and fun (Canfield, 2024).
And, like others in this list, they were ahead of time that if one was made today, according to Lance, the kinematics could probably remain the same, but with slacker headtube angle, longer top tube, and lighter.
Killer bump compliance, with braking that squatted so even very steep terrain was inspiring and fun (Canfield, 2024).
And, like others in this list, they were ahead of time that if one was made today, according to Lance, the kinematics could probably remain the same, but with slacker headtube angle, longer top tube, and lighter.
Canfield Fatty Fat and Avalanche MTN-10 (2003)
| At the time, the premier suspension was Avalanche. I loved the moto inspired designs and durability for big bikes like I was riding. I talked with Craig and was able to work out a sponsorship with him, no better feeling than riding for most bad A suspension maker of the time... |
I would like to sincerely thank Lance Canfield for letting me join him on the walk down the memory lane.
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