mtb-timeline

Interloc Racing Design

Interloc Racing Design was started by Rodney David Moses and Paul Thomasberg¹⁾ in 1984 in Winter, CA.²⁾. Bicycle frames were introduced the same year, initially designed by Paul Thomasberg and later a combination of Rod and Raymond Baldwin, after relocating to Oregon in 1987.

IRD was mostly known for well crafted bike components, including:

1984: Interloc seatpost.
1984: Infinity Taper Wall handlebars.
1985: Center Pull Progressive brakes.
1985: Macaroni stems.
1987: Rotary Brake: a half roller-cam, half u-brake.
1988: Remote Quick Release: turned a Hite-Rite into a modern dropper post.
1988: Expedition Fork - no welds anywhere - just a bolted crown and brakes.
1988: Long Pedals cranks: 195-225mm (!!)
1989: Switchhback cantilevers.
1990: Shock Fork and an accompaning full suspension frame.
1990: Widget Brake: one of the first linear-pull/v-brakes.
1993: One of the first shock brake stiffeners for wet-noodle RockShoxs.
1996: Anti-Dive trailing link shock fork.
2000: Metex Stainless Steel tubing bike - many years before Reynolds 953 and Columbus XCr.

IRD was well known for these and more components, but their frames are relatively rare, with no drive side shots of a 1987 being available, which is when they started production in earnest. IRD MTBs typically were built for climbing, with steep angles, short chainstays, long top tubes and very tall bottom brackets.

1993 is the likely last year for standard IRD frames, as that's when Ray Baldwin, the principal frame maker from 1987 → 1993, retired.

Resources:

Rodney Moses https://www.facebook.com/RodneyDavidMoses

1985 MTB

Frame by Paul Thomasberg. Josiah³⁾ by Rod & Belinda Moses. Unknown components. Likely a Koski rollercam fork, as Koski's were later spec'ed on all of their first MTBs. Also likely a 1985, rather than 1984 as the photo states, as other IRD sources suggest they didn't get going until 1985.

1985 MTB facebook

1987 Model A

In 1987, IRDs produced “Model A”, “Model B” and “Model C.” Koski roller cam fork. Unknown components. Breeze/Angell Hite-Rite.

1987 Model A mtb-news

1988 Semi Stroker

Built by Rod Moses for his wife Belinda. Missing cables and derailleurs. 220mm Bullseye cranks, IRD spec wheels (Bullseye hubs, radially laced), IRD Macaroni stem, IRD handlebar and seatpost, IRD Expedition Titanium Fork, IRD Rotary and Widget brakes.

1988 Semi Stroker retrobike

1989 Semi Stroker

Shimano XT M730 (1986-88) derailleurs, shifters & headset, Breeze & Angell Hite-Rite with an IRD Remote Quick Release, IRD Rotary brakes, IRD fork, IRD seatpost, 225mm(!!) Bullseye cranks with keeper kit, IRD Macaroni stem, and radially laced wheels. Horizontal dropouts.

1989 Semi Stroker facebook

1990 Circuit Racer

Shimano XT M732 rear & shifters & levers (1989), SunTour XC9000 front (1988-89), IRD Expedition fork, Bullseye cranks (extra long), IRD Switchback brakes, titanium handlebars, Chris King headset. Rear brake cable routed under the bottom bracket with a roller at the top.

IRD Switchback brakes and Expedition fork.

1990 Circuit Racer mombat

1991 Stroker

Shimano XT M732 gruppo (1989), Bullseye 210mm cranks, bottom bracket with grease port, IRD Rotary brake rear, IRD Switchback front, IRD RID race suspension fork. Horizontal dropouts. Rear brake cable routed under the bottom bracket with a roller at the top.

Second Spin Cycles states that this is a 1992.

1991 Stroker secondspincyclesblog

1992 FS Cross Country

Full suspension steel & aluminum frame and fork. Twin cables wrapped around the BB attach to swing-arm with elastomers. Shimano XT M735 derailleurs (1990-91), Bullseye long cranks (how does full suspension affect BB height?), IRD Rotary brake rear, IRD Switchback front, IRD RID race suspension fork. Horizontal rear dropouts.

One of 30 made.

1992 FS Cross Country mtb-news

1993 FS Cross Country

Full suspension steel & aluminum frame and fork. Twin cables wrapped around the BB attach to swing-arm with elastomers. o Suntour XC Pro derailleurs (1990-92), unknown cranks, IRD Switchbacks front & rear, IRD RID race suspension fork. IRD seat and bars.

1993 FS Cross Country facebook

¹⁾

Rod states that Paul is a co-founder on facebook.

²⁾

Interestingly, Rod grew up 1.7 miles from where mtbtimeline currently resides. Which is roughly 10 miles from where Tom Ritchey and Gary Klein grew up in Palo Alto. Or just 4 miles from Russ Mahon of Cupertino, the founder of the Morrow Dirt Club. Palo Alto was merely one of many MTB loci, including Fairfax, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, Crested Butte, CO, and Bellingham, WA. Time for a map?

³⁾

Currently a veterinary doctor in Oregon: https://evc.vet/staff/dr-josiah-moses/.

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