Even though in today’s mountain bike world the bikes are better, the clothing more appropriate, and there are more trails to ride, there’s no denying the early 90s were the Golden Age of Mountain Biking. Just look at these fellas, and tell me I’m wrong.
Tomac knew what was up. You don’t get such a badass Rainbow Jersey by accident, and his year in the bands (’92) was probably the last time the jersey looked that good. Plain black shorts, white socks, back flat as a pancake. And who else would you expect to be the first to rock a Troy Lee paint job on their helmet?
Tinker, well he’s a man unto himself. Probably the crowd favourite on the strength of recognition, being the only dreadlocked Hispanic riding a fluoro green or purple bike at the time making him easy to spot. That and his cadence, crunching the big ring where others, even Tomac and Ned, feared to tread. Legend has it that Tinker would fill a backpack with the biggest rocks he could find then set off into the mountains for a six hour training ride. Even if it’s an urban myth, the fact that it’s an urban myth about Tinker makes it more than a bit plausible.
Gumwall tyres, polished silver rims, colour matched forks, Campa… Campa? Multicoloured Sidis, Tinker made it all work. Even the Etto helmet looked good on him. Tomac was arguably the most Rule Compliant mountain biker ever. Even with limited resources to work with, these guys set the bar. Not many have reached it since.
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@ChrissyOne I think at Pearl Izumi HQ they have it hanging up behind glass.
@frank
SO cool! It's never old to me.
Me, at The Malvern Classis in the early 90's, happy days on my custom Fisher Big Sur...
Panaracer Dart and Fire gumwall tyres, Clubroost anodized handle bars, Sachs Wavy Griptwist gears, Tektro V brakes, Mavic rims on a Hope red anodized Ti front hub and a Shimano STX Silent rear hub (remember them?!). Club roost saddle. Fisher Big Sur frame, Sachs rear der, Shim XT from der. Lake MTB boots, what was I thinking?! At least the kit matched the helpmet and handlebars/grips!
@VeloJello
I ran Panaracers for years before going to Spesh Team Control. I see a lot of them on ebay - I may go back!
@cognition
I was so sad that she beat Alison Sydor in Atlanta at the Olympics, but she was certainly memorable. It would have been awesome to have a Canuck in gold. XC MTB was a demonstration sport that year I believe.
@Weldertron I love that in the last 20 seconds they can't even form words, just "wha...th...harrrr...bruw....ahhhhh..."
Commentator Rob Warner has a show on Red Bull ( http://www.redbull.tv/Robs-Dirty-Business ) and many funny quotes: http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=75527
@VeloJello Ah The Big Sur! Mine is Acid Yellow and I swapped out the stock shocks for some sweet Marzocchi's. My first love...alas neglected since I fell for the road's siren song. This thread makes me think I must go back to my 'roots'.
@frank
What kind/size tire is that, Frank? I want to put some gravel grinder/CX tires on my commuter bike (700x32c tires). There's a park on the way to work that has gravel/sand sections in it. I would love to turn this bike into a gravel grinder/Frankenbike.
@cyclebrarian
That would be a Clement LAS 700x33. Knowing Frank, it is probably the tubular version, but they make both.
If you like gumwalls, Challenge makes a nice one to.