mtb-timeline

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
<div column 90% #dropmtb>
----
===== Drop-bars & MTB =====

Most early racers were comfortable with drops: they're aero, have more hand positions, easier to shift fore and aft for climbing, were easily available, looked cool and racers were used to winning with them.  Yet, MTBs are //defined// as having flat bars.  However, if [[https://mmbhof.org/john-tomac/|John Tomac]], the winningest racer in the history of MTB, was able to podium dozens of times on downhill courses using only drop-bars, it's worth allowing them.

</div>

<div column 16%>
{{cc:ccproto.jpg?0x180|1978 CCPROTO}}
\\
1978 [[cc:start|Cunningham]] CCPROTO.  All Aluminum.  Probably used SR Sakae Road Champion handlebars at ~420mm, which he spec'd on later [[cc:start#s1981|Indian]] builds.  Weight: 24 pounds.
[[https://www.sfomuseum.org/exhibitions/repack-rwanda-origins-evolution-and-global-reach-mountain-bike|sfomuseum]]
</div>

<div column 16%>
{{pstump.jpg?0x180|1984 Specialized Team Stumpjumper}}
\\
1984 [[special:start|Specialized]] Team Stumpjumper ((This is the first Team Stumpjumper, as built by [[merz:start|Jim Merz]].)) being held by Dave McLaughlin, who secretly swapped the flat bars for drops just before the race [[https://domesticbikes.com/pink-stumpjumper/|domesticbikes]].
</div>


<div column 16%>
{{potts:1987.jpg?0x180|1987 Steve Potts}}
\\
1987 [[potts:start|Steve Potts]].  Potts custom builds often installed wide flared drops (575mm) for discerning customers who wanted the best of both worlds  [[http://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/1987-steve-potts-signature.html|vintagemtbworkshop]].
</div>

<div column 16%>
{{gordon:1988.jpg?0x180|1988 Bruce Gordon Rock 'n Road}}
\\
1988 [[gordon:start|Bruce Gordon]] Rock 'n Road.  This is a pure cyclocross bike and the forerunner of modern gravel bikes.  Flared Nitto bars, probably 440mm wide.
[[https://brucegordoncycles.blogspot.com/2015/01/third-in-series-of-bruce-gordons.html|brucegordoncycles]]
</div>


<div column 16%>
{{special:1989.jpg?0x180|1989 Specialized RockCombo }}
\\
1989 [[special:start|Specialized]] RockCombo.  Perhaps the first mass produced drop bar MTB.  //Specialized had the right idea, but nobody wanted the combo. Yet.// [[http://classiccycleus.com/home/1989-specialized-rockcombo/|classiccycleus]].
</div>
<div column 95% #dropmtb2>
----
</div>