More Strange Mountain Bike Tech | MTB Tech History - Part 2

It's time for part 2 of our strangest mountain bike tech series! This episode features disc brake torison arms, Onza clipless pedals with a twist, the Tioga Disc Drive, a funky suspension layout out and some MTB tyres that leave Doddy scratching his head!

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What did we miss? Let us know your personal weirdest bit of bike tech in the comments!

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[gmbntech]

What did we miss? Let us know your personal weirdest bit of bike tech in the comments!

[Bugle]

I’d like to see you guys talk about the Spinergy and Spin carbon rims from the mid 90s..

[deniscurtin]

I`d love to see Doddy do the forgotten groupsets of the late 80s/90s-Suntour, Mavic Mountain, Campag etc.

[jaysharpe]

Part 3 The evaluation of full Suspension frames from 1993-1999. I.e aftermarket frames, AMP, Supergo etc.

[erict]

I saw Tomac at Bromont Canada In the early 90’s, with the disk wheel, you could hear him from far, it was nuts.

[geoffsimons]

There’s enough weird retro tech from Pro-flex to do a whole programme on them.
Cannondale also have a load of cool retro weirdness 👍

[FreeRideKos]

The Kona Stab shown here that was ridden by Fabien Barel had its rockers installed upside down, transforming its geometry to 2020 standards, back in 2005
. That would be a nice piece of bike tech to show

[SteveKimbo]

Please do more bonkers tech videos Doddy, the mad aspirational 90s stuff is why I got into MTB!

[davemccloney]

My first clipless pedals were Onza pedals in the mid 90's. Made for interesting riding in winter! I've been riding clipless pedals ever since.

[ANTheWhizkid]

Love it, that "Disk Drive Pro" that's written on there is kinda pixelated to make the word play obvious.

[itarry]

I love how literally every time Doddu says "weird and strange tech" he holds up that same "suspension" stem. 🤔😳😁

[Mojaxx]

I had the Onza pedals, and yes, I got stuck in them pretty often, especially in the winter. But I persevered, because the SPD pedals/cleats at the time had no float, and completely wrecked my knees, so the Onzas were far more usable.

[mtbuk]

Hey Doddy would love to hear more about:
— Amp Forks
— Girvin Forks
— Mountain Cycles San Andreas
— Foes bikes
— ZZYZX forks

Cheers

[micahcarter]

MORE!!! Gimme Part 3, Part 4, Part 5!

[billderas]

John Castellano graduated from MIT and fortunately came to the SF Bay Area during the renaissance of mountain biking. I came across him (with his then girlfriend Marissa) on Mount Tam in the late eighties while he was testing what I believe was one of his early "inventions". John had added a Schwinn Stingray banana seat to a 26 inch mtb to give him more seating options! Soon after came his first Off-Road Wheelchair which I helped tow up a long hill (with John inside) for its initial test runs...and viola...it was a complete success. Then, came John's suspension bike designs. In 1994, we drove to Interbike at Las Vegas for John to market his "Sweet Spot" pivot design. Both Ibis and Schwinn bought in. Scot Nicol made a few test Szazbo framesets for John which we picked up from Ibis' unique workshop barn in Sebastopol, CA. Then, we went straight away to Annandale State Park to do initial testing on what was known as the Rumpstomper race course. On both very technical downhills and uphills, John could easily put distance between us. John, the "mad scientist", had a winner! And this was followed up by his pivotless mtb designs. I feel truly fortunate to have known John way back in the hay days of mountain biking.

[yuri_on_youtube]

A cool piece of tech I actually still have on a classic bike is the Hite Rite.

[TheProjectX]

Imagine today being able to win XC and DH with the same bike! What bike could it be?

[Carambal]

Here are some ideas:
- Manitou Sherman OnePiontFive fork
- Dual Gatorbrake eight piston front disc brakes with carbon fiber rotors
- Spengle wheels
- Votec forks and bikes
- Spinergy wheels
- Mountain Cycle shockwave, San Andreas monocoque frames
- Maverick DUC 32 fork
- HED. rims and wheels
- Whyte PRST-1 bike
- Marzocchi Bomber RAC fork
- Sintesi Rumba frame

[kona]

Hey Doddy! Your series make feeling me old! Almost nothing I don't know! Laughting with the onza pedals, knowing all other stuff, riding a lot of them (Lawill 6 was ahead of its time!). Don't forget upside down forks like Rise! Still owning a Kona Sex Three (UST Design), with XTR 2. gen with Marzocchi Z1 (with alu steerer original installed, talked with factory). Was really a funny time everybody tryed to bring his sienced advantage. Nowadays bikes are pretty much the same (but good for riding different conditions). Remember Grafton brakes, readjust them almost after every ride. So expensive and not better then a SLX brake 😂

[paulgriffin]

love my Onza HO's. got 3 sets, steel, cromo & Ti. still ride with all of them.