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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signori, priceless thread - price less. It brings me back to what seems ages ago, when I worked in a bicycle shop mid 80's to end 90's. Anodized bar-end -cages -screws -brake boosters every could be delivered in blue/yellow/red etc. In Europe suddenly new brands suddenly appeared; Syncros, white industries, am classic, Chris King - the shop was from one day to another turned into a battle between US, Italy and Japan, and the hardcore roadies (me included) had to accept that MTB bikes came in boxes ready to go out the door (almost), while our racers still was build in 2cm steps and always custom build.
It brings me back to my first MTBs, GT Avalance, Specialized Stumpjumper with Suntour XC! and a Swinn with yellow Magura, Softride stem and Look MTBs. Cool days - lots of inovation, pedals, suspension forks/stems, saddles and much more including Paola Pezzo.
Bad photo of the Stumpjumper Anniversay book which has photo's from 84.
Link to wear the photo is since my computer is being utterly uncooperative.
http://s557.photobucket.com/user/Endurimil/media/Monstercross%202014/image_zpsfde09e04.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9
Wow - great set of MTB race photos. While I hesitate to sound like an old man, I guess I am since I rode a lot of MTB miles (and races) back in the day. The clipless pedals Tinker had on his bike were boat anchors. They were Look pedals with a Campy badge, graced with a metal grate on the backside for shoe traction, and a cut down look cleat that was supposed to work in dirt and mud. "Supposed to" in mud means that as long as you didn't step off the bike, they worked in mud and dirt. The oldest pic of Tinker is from when he rode for ParkPre, way back when he first switched to MTBs. The stem on Alice B Showtits Cunningham was the upper section of a steel unicrown MTB for that Charlie welded up as a stem. It was damn cool, as was the bike, too.
Mountain bike racing back in the '80s was all about #5. Most were at least 20-25 miles long, loaded with steep-ass climbs, and rough as hell. With no suspension. Good times.