Classic MTB and BMX pre-1996

[steve garro]

70938968_10219308243527403_2174531372050284544_n.jpg70837017_10219308243247396_2132205667644080128_n.jpg71185758_10219308242687382_4711925723277819904_n.jpg71326352_10219308242487377_798579031875256320_n.jpg

A friend posted a few of his bikes up and this is what I'm talking about.

Stunning.

"Mr. Narrator, this is Bob Dylan to me"

I reckon these are reaching "priceless" status.
- Garro.

[72gmc]

What is the dark green bike, with the gumwalls?

[mainlyfats]

What is the dark green bike, with the gumwalls?

Koski Trailmaster, I believe.


And wow!

[colker]

Koski Trailmaster, I believe.


And wow!

Indeed. You don´t see those everywhere. I would like to try one. Everything those Koski guys did was above the norm and progressive. Forks, drop outs... it´s always good.

[steve garro]

Indeed. You don´t see those everywhere. I would like to try one. Everything those Koski guys did was above the norm and progressive. Forks, drop outs... it´s always good.

They are making the twin-bar ones again !!!!

It's the same Koski Bros !!!

https://koskibros.com


- Garro.

[lumpy]

They are making the twin-bar ones again !!!!

It's the same Koski Bros !!!

https://koskibros.com


- Garro.

I followed that link and whoa that thing is stylish.

[steve garro]

I followed that link and whoa that thing is stylish.

I don't think I could not get one if ripping one was a thing I could still do.

- Garro.

[colker]

I don't think I could not get one if ripping one was a thing I could still do.

- Garro.

Did they adjust geometry or is it the same as the trailmaster? Is it a 26incher? Such a smart bike and the fork... oooooh.

[steve garro]

Did they adjust geometry or is it the same as the trailmaster? Is it a 26incher? Such a smart bike and the fork... oooooh.

Don Koski is a really nice guy, call his bike shop and ask !!!

Cove Bikes, Tiburon, CA

- Garro.

[benson]

New Zealand
Karapoti Classic 1986




1987 MTB Nationals at Taupo




Me, Rotorua, 1987. I rode that Redline from 1986 to 92.


DH'ing, MTB Nationals, Christchurch 88

[steve garro]

New Zealand
Karapoti Classic 1986

DH'ing, MTB Nationals, Christchurch 88

I rode tip to tip on my Yeti FRO in '89-90 = do you recall the Kennet Bros?

Paul & Simon in Wellington?

Used to put out a MTB zine, nice guys / great riders

- Garro.

[benson]

I rode tip to tip on my Yeti FRO in '89-90 = do you recall the Kennet Bros?

Paul & Simon in Wellington?

Used to put out a MTB zine, nice guys / great riders

- Garro.

Steve
Ive known the Kennetts since the original Karapoti on 86.
Paul and Simon are in the two black & white photos from the 87 Nationals- Simon leading in the top photo, Paul on the left wearing the weird smocklike overgarment.
They are still going strong, still publishing books and organising and/or instigating the occasional event

[sk_tle]

Bar widths were proper in '86 then it got stupid.

Why ?

[colker]

Don Koski is a really nice guy, call his bike shop and ask !!!

Cove Bikes, Tiburon, CA

- Garro.

It´s being sold by Soma in SF.

[steve garro]

Steve
Ive known the Kennetts since the original Karapoti on 86.
Paul and Simon are in the two black & white photos from the 87 Nationals- Simon leading in the top photo, Paul on the left wearing the weird smocklike overgarment.
They are still going strong, still publishing books and organising and/or instigating the occasional event

I think I recognize the glasses !!!

I'll dig out some pictures of them that I have

- Garro.

[steve garro]

Bar widths were proper in '86 then it got stupid.

Why ?

My 87 Ibis came with 32" wide bars, IIRC

- Garro.

[Gattonero]

Bar widths were proper in '86 then it got stupid.

Why ?

Depends what you mean for "stupid", I guess that in the early 90s many were training a lot on road bikes so their Mtb bars were on the narrow side, say 54-58cm.
I still ride my 26"ers like that, can't get used to bars that are wider than 60cm!

[lumpy]

Bar widths were proper in '86 then it got stupid.

Why ?

Felt good, man. And, the fast guys were doing it.

Seriously, though? Geometry got a lot more racing focused between '86 and say '90. Steeper head angles, shorter wheelbases, lighter, flexier tubing. Narrow bars on a long stem worked for the riding position and technique that worked/that we had on those bikes. The pendulum swung the other way once suspension came out and you could blow over a lot of obstacles that you had to finesse on a short steep rigid bike. I just measured the last pair of Hyperlite bars I bought (in '92, I think) and they are 23 inches, uncut. My 29er hardtail XC bike now has 28" bars on a way shorter stem. But the 29er's got a longer wheelbase and front center and a slacker head angle and 100mm of front suspension.

ETA: Measurements are in Freedom Units as that was the style at the time.

[steve garro]

Felt good, man. And, the fast guys were doing it.

Seriously, though? Geometry got a lot more racing focused between '86 and say '90. Steeper head angles, shorter wheelbases, lighter, flexier tubing.

The fist and often only question was "What does it weigh?"

Which is how you got P-19's and the ilk.

Bike are fucking heavy now / again

- Garro.

[steve garro]

383777_467818583236367_445016108_n.jpg

Our Team Mutant Caddy

'73

Six dudes and bikes but it would scrape going down the highway but you could put all the bikes in the trunk with the wheels off and two people could sleep inside.

I was 21 here, I believe, maybe 22.

Man, we were having a blast, no cares beyond where rent was coming from, all $100 a month.

- Garro.