mtb-timeline

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<div column 50% #intro>
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===== Mantis Cycles =====

Richard Cunningham started making bikes in 1981 and founded Mantis Cycles a year later in 1982 (([[https://mmbhof.org/richard-cunningham/|mmbhof]])), creating many unusual bike designs.  
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He was also a long time editor of both [[https://mbaction.com/|Mountain Bike Action]] and [[https://www.pinkbike.com/|pinkbike]].

<blockquote>
 I did all the welding on those frames, often while speaking on the telephone with customers. 
<cite>
Richard Cunningham [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/mtn-bikes/1990-mantis-valkyrie|theproscloset]]
</cite>
</blockquote>

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<div column 45%>
{{ranchita.jpg?440|Ranchita Verde}}
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R.C. in the "Ranchita Verde", the Mantis delivery vehicle.
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[[https://www.pinkbike.com/photo/18144508/|pinkbike]]

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<div column 50% #s1982>
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===== 1982 Mantis Sherpa =====

Beautifully fillet brazed, with an very nice double crowned fork, it looked like a Ritchey from a distance.  The filed fillets, custom stems and dishless rear wheels set it apart as uniquely Mantis.
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Mantis also produced a TIG welded version of the Sherpa called the Overland.


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<div column 45%>
{{1982.jpg?300|1982 Sherpa}}
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1982 Sherpa [[https://www.secondspincycles.com/1982-83-mantis-sherpa/|secondspincycles]]
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<div column 50% #s1983>
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===== 1983 Mantis XCR =====

Fillet brazed XCR, one of only a few made.


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<div column 45%>
{{1983.jpg?300|1983 XCR}}
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1983 XCR [[https://www.secondspincycles.com/1983-mantis-xcr-2/|secondspincycles]]
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<div column 50% #s1984>
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===== 1984 XCR =====

In 1984, Mantis introduced "composite" frames, with an aluminum main frame and a CroMo screwed and glued rear triangle.  This was the beginning of many unusual frame designs which became Mantis' true trademark.

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<div column 45%>
{{xcr.jpg?300|1984 XCR}}
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1984 XCR [[https://www.secondspincycles.com/1983-mantis-xcr-2/|secondspincycles]]
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<div column 50% #s1985>
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===== 1985 XCR =====

Composite frame.
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<div column 45%>
{{1985.jpg?300|1985 XCR}}
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1985 XCR [[https://www.mtbr.com/threads/mantis-xcr.284410/page-3|mtbr]]
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<div column 50% #s1987>
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===== 1987 Valkyrie =====

**//The//** Mantis Valkyrie.   Simply stunning.

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<div column 45%>
{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Valkyrie}}
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1987 Valkyrie [[https://www.secondspincycles.com/mantis-valkyrie/|secondspincycles]]
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<div column 50% #s1988>
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===== 1988 Valkyrie =====

The first //elevated chainstay// bicycle.  This was quickly followed by the Yeti Ultimate and the Nishiki Alien((Richard Cunningham was a design consultant to Nishiki
 and had "Cunningham Design" stickers attached to many of their models, allowing his ideas to become mass produced.))
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<div column 45%>
{{1988.jpg?300|1988 Valkyrie}}
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1988 Valkyrie [[https://www.flickr.com/photos/46195580@N03/albums/72157623896397009/|flickr]]
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<div column 50% #s1989>
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===== 1989 Valkyrie =====

Non-original, upgraded parts which work well.  And a great paint job.

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<div column 45%>
{{1989.jpg?300|1988 Valkyrie}}
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1989 Valkyrie [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1989_Mantis_Valkyrie.html|mombat]]
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<div column 50% #s1990>
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===== 1990 Valkyrie =====



Cool bike - but check out that Hite-Rite [[tech:post|dropper post]] with an IRD remote.
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<div column 45%>
{{1990.jpg?300|1990 Valkyrie}}
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1990 Valkyrie [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/mtn-bikes/1990-mantis-valkyrie|theproscloset]]
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<div column 30% #more>
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===== More Mantii =====

A bit beyond the current timeline.  Some of Mantis' most famous creations.
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<div column 20%>
{{valkyrie.jpg?200|1992 Valkyrie}}
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1992 Valkyrie EC [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1992_Mantis_Valkyrie_Purple.html|mombat]]
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EC := elevated chainstay
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<div column 20%>
{{proflo.jpg?200|1993 Pro Floater}}
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1993 Pro Floater [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1993_Mantis_Pro_Floater_Red.html|mombat]]
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<div column 20%>
{{scream.jpg?200|1996 Screaming V}}
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1996 Screaming V [[http://www.mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1996_Mantis_ScreamingV.html|mombat]]
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==== Production Notes ====
<WRAP #prod1 />
[1].  Early production numbers unknown.  They are not extremely rare, but all are very collectible.  Only 10 1983 fillet XCRs made.
[[https://www.secondspincycles.com/1983-mantis-xcr-2/|secondspincycles]]
<WRAP #prod2 />
[2]. Produced 500 frames per year in the late 1980's.
[[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/rc-retires-a-tribute-to-richard-cunningham.html|pinkbike]]