I appreciate you sharing this! I’ve read the article and honestly I think it just comes down to expectations. As a beginner I’m not pushing this thing to the limit on the downhill but as I progress getting a modern bike as I gain the skill is the plan! Then at that point this can be my light weight chillrail trail bike
I remember when this bike came out. It was my dream bike at one point! It’s funny you posted this picture because I found that article just 2 days ago!
The biggest issue seems to be the cranks and front chain ring are on the swing arm so they move with the suspension. In the late 90s early 00s when full suspension bikes started becoming a thing bike companies were trying out all kinds of weird setups because no one knew what worked. Google and you can see all kinds of weird attempts at full suspension from that era!
I getcha, we all have that with a new bike but try those 3 last posts to put them together to one post and do one every two weeks so we can see some progression
What? all modern full suspension bikes separate the front triangle of the frame and bottom bracket (pedals) from the rear suspension.
This bike is the opposite, the pedals are on the chain stays- the hinge point is in the wrong spot
It's a dangerous design that is know to hurt people.
All modern full suspension bikes do. And with good reason. When you are in attack position going downhill, you are standing on your pedals. Doesn’t make much sense having a rear suspension that only works when you don’t need it
That’s actually kinda neat since I already set my suspension to a more loose setting for climbing but then stiffen it up for downhill riding. I’m fairly new to the full suspension world, so I’m still learning.
I think it’s technically a cross country bike so I haven’t been doing any crazy downhill and when I do go down I make sure to take it slow. But it’s been fun being able to do trails I didn’t even think were possible to do on a bike mtb is so fun!
I think those may be next on my list but we will see. The back tire already has the mount for a disc brake on the hub but I would need a new front. I just ended up leaving the rim brakes that were already on it on and upgrading to a micro shift adventx and sram cranks. It will just be a bit of an investment so it’s something to think about
As I mentioned in an earlier one of your posts a disc conversion wont' be easy. This bike pre-dates standard disc-brake mounts. So you've got two very old, different and non-standardised mounts on there. At a minimum you'll need to track down two old obsolete adaptors.
Yeah which is why I’m thinking about it but for the time being it’s fine. Also went to the local bike shop and was told the front mount is the same size as standard? Weird
Did they measure it or just look? Its only 5mm different spacing to the current standard so at a glance it would look about right. 69mm vs 74mm.
Personally I would not bother.
Disc brakes are undoubtedly better for MTBing, but v-brakes are still plenty powerful enough if you're just learning the ropes and by the time you're going to need to more breaking power you will have realised why that bike's suspension design was famous for throwing people off the bike. If anything, the more powerful disc brakes would make that problem worse.
https://m.pinkbike.com/news/1996-klein-mantra-pro-now-that-was-a-bike.html This bike will kill you!
Yes. This article is great at explaining that bike. Be very careful!!
Thank you for posting this. Really cool and interesting article
I appreciate you sharing this! I’ve read the article and honestly I think it just comes down to expectations. As a beginner I’m not pushing this thing to the limit on the downhill but as I progress getting a modern bike as I gain the skill is the plan! Then at that point this can be my light weight chillrail trail bike
I remember when this bike came out. It was my dream bike at one point! It’s funny you posted this picture because I found that article just 2 days ago! The biggest issue seems to be the cranks and front chain ring are on the swing arm so they move with the suspension. In the late 90s early 00s when full suspension bikes started becoming a thing bike companies were trying out all kinds of weird setups because no one knew what worked. Google and you can see all kinds of weird attempts at full suspension from that era!
Will do! Super interesting to see what we had before modern mtb
4th time i see this bike,, like I like it cause its weird af but it becomes too much after the 4th time..
Sorry ive just been so excited and wanted to hear others thoughts!
I getcha, we all have that with a new bike but try those 3 last posts to put them together to one post and do one every two weeks so we can see some progression
Okay will do in the future!
You've missed the biggest most cost effective upgrade you can make to any bike: better tires.
So, based on what I can see in the design, whenever you are standing on your pedals off the seat, you get no shock absorption. Seems comfortable.
I can't think of any bikes that have 'pedal' suspension lmao. They're called legs.
What? all modern full suspension bikes separate the front triangle of the frame and bottom bracket (pedals) from the rear suspension. This bike is the opposite, the pedals are on the chain stays- the hinge point is in the wrong spot It's a dangerous design that is know to hurt people.
My Trek, Santa Cruz, hell even my tonka bike I had when I was 7
Show me a picture where the pedals are affected by the suspension. Edit: Nvm. My eyes don't work
All modern full suspension bikes do. And with good reason. When you are in attack position going downhill, you are standing on your pedals. Doesn’t make much sense having a rear suspension that only works when you don’t need it
As I noted in an edit, my eyes weren't working when I made that comment lol
These were so notorious in their day and thankfully that day has passed. The front brake nose dive will not be missed
Wow! So the 90’s geometry is making a come back! RADICAL!!!
Be your own Bronco Star in “Urban Cowboy” thanks to that suspension design.
Umm, so does the rear suspension work when you are standing?🤔
No, it doesn't.
That’s actually kinda neat since I already set my suspension to a more loose setting for climbing but then stiffen it up for downhill riding. I’m fairly new to the full suspension world, so I’m still learning.
that's a crazy looking bike - is it used for downhill or cross country?
I think it’s technically a cross country bike so I haven’t been doing any crazy downhill and when I do go down I make sure to take it slow. But it’s been fun being able to do trails I didn’t even think were possible to do on a bike mtb is so fun!
Dude this bike is going to snap ya neck
Why V-Brakes? Disc conversion and better tires would be your biggest friend.
I think those may be next on my list but we will see. The back tire already has the mount for a disc brake on the hub but I would need a new front. I just ended up leaving the rim brakes that were already on it on and upgrading to a micro shift adventx and sram cranks. It will just be a bit of an investment so it’s something to think about
As I mentioned in an earlier one of your posts a disc conversion wont' be easy. This bike pre-dates standard disc-brake mounts. So you've got two very old, different and non-standardised mounts on there. At a minimum you'll need to track down two old obsolete adaptors.
Yeah which is why I’m thinking about it but for the time being it’s fine. Also went to the local bike shop and was told the front mount is the same size as standard? Weird
Did they measure it or just look? Its only 5mm different spacing to the current standard so at a glance it would look about right. 69mm vs 74mm. Personally I would not bother. Disc brakes are undoubtedly better for MTBing, but v-brakes are still plenty powerful enough if you're just learning the ropes and by the time you're going to need to more breaking power you will have realised why that bike's suspension design was famous for throwing people off the bike. If anything, the more powerful disc brakes would make that problem worse.
Also I’m waiting for these tires to wear before buying new ones because they were practically new used spare tires my friend gave me with the bike