Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- tech:start [2022/01/03 20:04] – mtbtimeline
+++ tech:start [2024/03/24 14:14] (current) – mtbtimeline
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 Mountain bikes, with their new and demanding requirements, have driven much bicycling innovation.  Or have they?  As with most invention, it's not so much novel inventions but combinations of existing solutions and being first to market.  The following will show the first use of new mountain biking tech and their origins.
+[[{button_disc.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tech:disc|<-- disc brakes ]]
+[[{button_fork.png?0x80|width: 20em}tech:front|<-- front shocks ]]
+[[{button_rear.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tech:rear|<-- rear shocks ]]
+[[{button_post.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tech:post|<-- dropper posts ]]
+[[{button_tires.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tech:tires|<-- tires ]]
+[[{button_pedal.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tech:pedals|<-- pedals ]]
+[[{button_chain.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tech:derail|<-- derailleurs ]]
+[[{nittobull.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tech:handlebars|<-- handlebars ]]
+[[{button_pipe.jpg?0x80|width: 20em}tubing:start|<-- tubing ]]
 </div>
@@ Line 10: / Line 19: @@
-{{1891.jpg?360|1891 Velocipede }}
+{{1891.jpg?400|1891 Velocipede }}
 \\
 Velocipede
@@ Line 19: / Line 28: @@
 </div>
-<div column 50% #disc>
 ----
-===== Disc Brakes =====
-Shimano introduced mass produced, cheap, disc brakes in [[https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site/shimano_bicycle_parts_-_72_page_17.html|1972]] with the Shimano B 700, followed a year later, in  [[https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site/shimano_bicycle_parts_-_73_page_20.html|1973]], with the hydraulic B900 - and then many other manufacturers jumped on board.  Unfortunately, they were usually placed with low end, department store bikes, and hence never rose above obscurity and respectability.
-\\
-[[mcr:start|Mountain Cross Racing]] were far ahead of the curve in using the best technology for their downhill machines.
-The example below was made by [[vva:start|Victor Vincente of America]] with Brian Skinner in 1983.  Later MCRs lost weight, became refined and successful at winning downhill races.  Despite their success on the race course, few were Descenders made.
-\\
-Despite MCR's limited early success, it would be another six years before [[http://dansbikestuff.blogspot.com/2013/02/mountain-cycle-san-andreas-and-me.html|Mountain Cycle]] made the first mountain bike specific disc brakes in 1989.  Other mountain disc brake makers soon followed:
-  * **1991** : [[https://www.oldschoolracing.ch/archiv/hope/|Hope]]
-  * **1993** : [[https://www.rideformula.com/page/our-heritage/|Formula]] - fully hydraulic
-  * **1995** : [[https://web.archive.org/web/20101126141111/http://www.amp-research.com/company/history/amp-research-mountain-bikes/|Amp Research]]
-{{mcr:1983.jpg?300|1983 Skinner Descender}}
-\\
-MCR Skinner Descender
-[[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Descender.html|mombat]]
-\\
-Rear disc brakes only, with cantilever fronts.
-{{phil.jpg?300|1980 Phil Wood}}
-\\
-Phil Wood Disc Brakes
-[[https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/679565-phil-wood-disc-brakes-anybody-have-real-world-experience-these.html|bikeforums]]
-\\
-Disc brake overkill for a mountain bike - but they sure look like they work!((Phil Wood disc brakes were discontinued soon afterwards, due to brake fade and mechanical failures.))
-{{hope.jpg?300|1991 Hope Disc Brakes}}
-\\
-Hope Disc Brakes
-[[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1991_Fisher_RS1.html|mombat]]
-\\
-Disc brakes from a full-suspension [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1991_Fisher_RS1.html|1991 Fisher RS-1]]((Interestingly, the Fisher RS-1 went on to rely upon the Mountain Cycle [[https://mbaction.com/throwback-thursday-merts-moab-magic/|Pro-Stops]] in later versions.))
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{lemon.jpg?360|1973 Schwinn Lemon Peeler}}
-\\
-Schwinn Lemon Peeler
-[[https://www.mecum.com/lots/DA0919-389968/1973-schwinn-lemon-peeler-bicycle/|mecum]]
-\\
-Five speed stick shift, front suspension and Schwinn rear disc brakes.
-{{prostop.jpg?360|1991 Mountain Cycle Pro Stop}}
-\\
-Mountain Cycle Pro Stop
-[[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/now-that-was-a-bike-mountain-cycle-san-andreas.html|pinkbike]]
-\\
-In 1989, Mountain Cycle made perhaps the first disc brakes specific to mountain biking: the Pro-Stop cable actuated hydraulic disc brakes mated to their Suspenders inverted fork.
-{{formula.jpg?360|1993 Formula Standard}}
-\\
-Formula Standard
-[[https://www.rideformula.com/page/our-heritage/|rideformula]]
-\\
-The first fully hydraulic mountain bike disc brakes.
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear>
-----
-===== Front Shock Absorbers =====
-Suspension, which has been fitted to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velocipede|velocipedes]] since at least 1891, needs shock absorbers to dampen the recoil or it risks turning the bicycle into a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogo_stick|pogo stick]].  Mountain bikes initially borrowed suspension inspiration and hardware from motorcycles.
-The trick was to make something light weight which could handle going down [[https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000867/repack-road|Repack]], or more pertinently for 1988, the [[https://www.twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/mammoth-mountain-bike-park/|Mammoth Mountain]] Kamikaze Downhill.
-\\
-The first mountain bike suspension fork was made by RockShox, designed by [[bontrager:start|Keith Bontrager]] and [[http://mombatbicycles.com/Rock_Shox.htm|Paul Turner]].  A non-working concept fork was mated to a fully carbon, rear suspended Kestrel Nitro and shown at the January 1988 Long Beach bike show.  Unfortunately, the Nitro was just a prototype and Kestrel wouldn't release a fully suspended mountain bike until [[https://www.kestrelbicycles.com/|1995]].  ((Kestrel did sell a fully carbon, //rigid// mountain bike in 1988: the [[https://www.oldschoolracing.ch/mountainbike/1988-kestrel-mxz/|MX-Z]].  The first all-carbon mountain bike.))  RockShox would go on to great success, selling $100M annually by 1996.  ((Competition became fierce in the late 90's and RockShox sold itself to SRAM in 2002 for [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RockShox|$5.6M]].  It continues [[https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox|today.]]))((More RockShox history can be found at: [[https://www.oldschoolracing.ch/archiv/rock-shox/|oldschoolracing]].))
-\\
-After the debut of RockShox all makers of motorcycle shocks saw the light and immediately jumped into the market.
-\\
-{{manitou.jpg?200|1990 Manitou Fork}}
-{{marz.jpg?200|1990 Marzocchi}}
-{{prostop.jpg?200|1990 Mountain Cycle Suspenders}}
-\\
-  - 1990 Manitou Fork |[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/manitou-fork-timelines.290684/|retrobike]]
-  - 1990 Marzocchi Star [[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/Marzocchi-Forks-Through-the-Years-2013.html|pinkbike]]
-  - 1990 Mountain Cycle Suspenders [[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/now-that-was-a-bike-mountain-cycle-san-andreas.html|pinkbike]]
-saw the introduction of mono-shocks.
-\\
-{{canon2.jpg?200|1992 Canondale HeadShok}}
-{{actiontec.jpg?220|1991 Action-Tec}}
-{{leader.jpg?190|1991 Lawwill Leader}}
-  - 1992 Canondale HeadShok [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/should-you-ride-a-lefty-fork|theoproscloset]]
-  - 1991 Action-Tec Pro Shock [[http://mombatbicycles.com/Suspension.htm|Aaction-Tec]]
-  - 1991 Lawwill Leader [[http://www.vintagesteelrider.com/index.php/2015/04/27/amazing-mountain-bike-innovations-that-didnt-stand-the-test-of-time/|vintagesteelrider]]
-Canondale's HeadShok used a single air/oil damper with needle bearings to eliminate twisting.  Twisting (and oil leakage) plagued early RockShox RS-1 and Mag-20's, requiring heavy brake braces for stability.  The Lawwill Leader linkage design weighed about 3.5 pounds.
-\\
-And, somehow just before mechanically complicated shocks hit the market, a number of very simple flex stems became available.
-\\
-{{flex.jpg?170|1988 Offroad Flex Stem}}
-{{soft.jpg?210|1989 Softride Suspension System}}
-{{ahead.jpg?170|1994 Softride Ahead Stem}}
-\\
-  - 1988 Offroad Flex Stem [[https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/flexstem-offroad-mountain-bike-25659016|worthpoint]]
-  - 1989 Softride Suspension System  [[http://sscycleworks.com/components/stem-suspension-SoftRide.html|sscycleworks]]
-  - 1994 Softride Ahead Stem [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1995_Ritchey_Lite_Beam.html|mombat]]
-^ Year ^ Make/Model ^ Type ^ Travel ^
-| 1988 | Offroad Flex Stem | stem | 10mm |
-| 1989 | Softride Suspension System | stem | 63mm |
-| 1989 | Rock Shox RS-1 | fork | 48mm |
-| 1990 | Manitou | fork | 38mm |
-| 1990 | Mountain Cycle Suspenders | fork | 63mm |
-| 1991 | Action-Tec Pro Shock | mono-shock | 44mm |
-| 1991 | Lawwill Leader | mono-shock | 63mm |
-| 1992 | Canondale Headshok | mono-shock | 50mm |
-| 1994 | Softride Ahead Stem | stem | 76mm |
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{kestrel.jpg?300|1988 Kestrel Nitro}}
-\\
-Kestrel Nitro
-[[https://www.sfomuseum.org/exhibitions/repack-rwanda-origins-evolution-and-global-reach-mountain-bike/gallery#8|sfomuseum]]
-\\
-The 1988 Kestrel Nitro was ground breaking.  The first all-carbon, fully suspended mountain bike frame. Equipped with a prototype RockShox.
-{{hb.jpg?300|1989 Greg Herbold}}
-\\
-Greg Herbold
-[[https://issuu.com/mtb-vco.com/docs/catalogo_sram-rockshox-avid-truvati/66|issuu]]
-\\
-In 1989, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Herbold|Greg]] won at Mammoth using a prototype RockShox RS-1.  RockShox went into production in [[http://mombatbicycles.com/Rock_Shox.htm|August 1989]].
-{{rs1.jpg?300|1990 RS-1}}
-\\
-RS-1 ad, when they first became widely available.
-[[https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/feature/Sneak-Peek-Inverted-RockShox-RS-1-Fork,230|vitalmtb]]
-\\
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear>
-----
-===== Rear Shock Absorbers =====
-The 1983 [[mcr:start|Skinner Descender]], pictured in the previous [[tech:start#disc|section]] on disc brakes, used a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_XR_series#XR_200|Honda XR200 Pro-Link]] shock, which had 16 compression settings and 4 rebound adjustments, which was made for their 220 pound, 30HP "light weight" motocross racing motorcycle.  The 1983 bicycle built with those shocks weighed 50 pounds and was lucky to get 1/2 HP powering it.  The next //thirty years// of suspension development has been spent on seeking the [[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-short-turbulent-life-of-urt-suspension-mtb-history.html|sweet spot]] of where and how to pivot rear suspension to achieve firm pedaling, plush riding, balanced handling - along with being strong, light & cheap.
-\\
-----
-=== Pre-Mountain Bike ===
-{{radac.jpg?300|1980 Bridgestone Radac Fitness SE}}
-\\
-Bridgestone Radac Fitness SE
-[[https://www.bukalapak.com/p/sepeda/fullbike/roadbike/il6y9-jual-bridgestone-radac-fitness-special-edition-rare-item|bukalapak]]
-\\
-Front and rear suspension, with rear [[https://outspokincycles.ca/elastometer-suspension-work/|elastometer]] shock absorbers.
-{{mcr:moto.jpg?300|1975 Yamaha Moto-Bike}}
-\\
-Yamaha Moto-Bike
-[[https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/yamaha/40484|bmxmuseum]]
-\\
-Fully suspended BMX with drum brakes.  And those front forks are actually //[[http://pulpmx.com/2020/05/11/maxxis-tires-classic-ink-14-the-yamaha-moto-bike/|oil dampened shock absorbers]]//!  It was achingly close to being a decent downhill bike, but not really.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{mcr.jpg?300|1984 MCR}}
-\\
-MCR
-[[https://patineto.smugmug.com/Bicycles/Vintage-MTBs/Brian-Skinners-Descender/i-KXn3BKw/A|smugmug]]
-\\
-In 1984, the MCR lost 20 pounds and became the //Skinny// Descender at 30 pounds.  Is that Aluminum?
-{{sweet.jpg?360|Ibis Sweet Spot}}
-\\
-How to find the suspension Sweet Spot
-[[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-short-turbulent-life-of-urt-suspension-mtb-history.html|pinkbike]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear1>
-----
-By 1991 there were about ten manufacturers of fully suspended mountain bikes.  The following is just a sample of early design styles.
-The evolution of rear shocks continues today.  Early shocks came close, but lagged in durability, weight, cost, and especially performance.
-=== 1989 Boulder Gazelle ===
-Rear only spring.
-Remote rear lockout on handlebars.
-$2000.
-.6" rear travel.  First offered in 1989. See:
-[[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Boulder.html|March 1989 Bicycle Guide]]
-\\
-The pic is from a 1990 Gazelle.  The 1989 did not have front suspension.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{boulder.jpg?360|1990 Boulder Gazelle}}
-\\
-Boulder Gazelle [[https://www.mtbr.com/media/1990-boulder-gazelle.1509060/|mtbr]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear2>
-----
-=== 1990 Offroad Pro-Flex RF-1 ===
-The //"first commonly available full-suspension mountain bike"//(([[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/ProFlex-Girvin.html|mombat]] October 1990 Bicycling review)).  Elastometer single pivot rear with an Offroad Flex-Stem on the front.  $1500, 28 pounds, 2 inches of rear travel.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{rf1.jpg?360|11990 Offroad Pro-Flex RF-1}}
-\\
-Offroad Pro-Flex RF-1 [[https://www.flickr.com/photos/89346765@N07/8134565399/|flickr]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear3>
-----
-=== 1991 Moots YBB ===
-<1 inch travel.  Pivotless.  Pivotless suspension remains popular today, as it's light weight, durable, and cheap but doesn't offer much in the way of travel and damping.
-Moots still [[https://moots.com/bike/routt-ybb/|makes]] these!  For //**$10,954!**//
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{moots.jpg?360|1991 Moots YBB}}
-\\
-Moots YBB [[https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1239456-road-test-bike-review-1991-mountain-bikes-suspension.html|bikeforums]], Bicycling, April 1991
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear4>
-----
-=== 1991 Manitou ===
-Manitou simply stuck their successful front shocks on the rear, with two pivots.  Elastometer shocks.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{travis.jpg?360|1991 Manitou}}
-\\
-Manitou [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/mtn-bikes/travis-browns-1991-manitou-bradbury|theproscloset]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear5>
-----
-=== 1991 Fisher RS-1 ===
-Four pivots.  Front air-oil damping, elastometer rears.
-Did not use Rockshox RS-1's((However, the 1990 prototype RS-1 did use the RS-1 front shocks.  See: [[https://mbaction.com/throwback-thursday-mountain-bike-suspension-from-30-years-ago/|mbaction]]))
-Mert Lawwill's((The inventor of the [[lawwill:start|Lawwill]] Pro-Cruiser)) father's personal bike.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{fisher.jpg?360|1991 Fisher RS-1}}
-\\
-Fisher RS-1 [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1991_Fisher_RS1.html|mombat]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear6>
-----
-=== 1993 AMP Research B-2 ===
-The Horst Link, introduced with the 1993 AMP Research B-2, has been hugely successful and the four pivot design remains in production today.  The front shocks, not so much.  24 pounds!
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{horst.jpg?360|1993 AMP Research B-2}}
-\\
-AMP Research B-2 [[http://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/1993-amp-research-b-2.html|vintagemtbworkshop]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear7>
-----
-=== 1993 Yeti ARC ASLT ===
-This design won many, many races and is very similar to today's designs.
-\\
-Manitou 2/3/RockShox hybrid forks both in front and in back, with a single [[https://risseracing.com/airshocks.shtml|Risse]] damper.  Low single pivot design in the back.
-\\
-[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missy_Giove|Missy Giove's]] personal racing machine.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{yeti.jpg?360|1993 Yeti ARC ASLT}}
-\\
-Yeti ARC ASLT [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/mtn-bikes/missy-gioves-1993-yeti-arc-aslt|theproscloset]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear8>
-----
-=== 1994 Kestrel Rubicon ===
-A downhill racer with **8"** of rear travel.  The 63t chainring didn't pedal out until 50mph.
-<blockquote>
-The long and slender swing-arm driving the rear suspension was laterally flexy, and it actually snapped during a race in 1994.
-<cite>
-[[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/five-vintage-full-suspension-bikes|The Pro's Closet]]
-</cite>
-</blockquote>
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{rubicon.jpg?360|1994 Kestrel Rubicon}}
-\\
-Kestrel Rubicon [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/five-vintage-full-suspension-bikes|The Pro's Closet]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear9>
-----
-=== 1995 Ibis Szazbo ===
-The first Unified Rear Triangle (URT) suspension bike.  5" of travel.  An evolutionary dead end.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{ibisss.jpg?360|1995 Ibis Szazbo}}
-\\
-Ibis Szazbo [[http://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/1995-ibis-szazbo.html|http://vintagemtbworkshop]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear10>
-----
-=== 1995 Dan/Ed ===
-Just a big block of rubber by the square down-tube (the better to mount the block with.)  Belt drive with an internal hub.  To be fair, it's a very clean look.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{daned.jpg?360|1995 Dan/Ed}}
-\\
-Dan/Ed [[https://eatsleepdrinkbike.tumblr.com/post/105878834142/very-early-full-suspension-mountain-bike-full|tumblr]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear11>
-----
-=== 1996 Moots DH88/Malcolm ===
-The late 90's were a lost time in suspension design, with a lot of ideas tossed onto the dust heap of history.  It's better to highlight just a few standouts, for one reason or another.
-\\
-Obviously there's some wasted titanium here.  Perhaps to humorously emphasize the ludicrousness of the design.  It supposedly worked.  The rear is pivot-less at the bottom bracket.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{malcolm.jpg?360|1996 Moots DH88/Malcolm}}
-\\
-Moots DH88/Malcolm [[https://www.ebay.com/itm/114529287781|ebay]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear12>
-----
-=== 1997 Ibis Bow Ti ===
-The ultimate in extravagant, pivot-less design.  Except that the shocks had a two way pivot as the thin wall titanium frame flexed so much.  $3500, frame only.  //**Five**// inches of travel.
-The pic is a 1998.
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{ibis.jpg?360|1998 Ibis Bow Ti}}
-\\
-Ibis Bow Ti [[http://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/1998-ibis-bow-ti.html|vintagemtbworkshop]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #rear13>
-----
-=== 1998 Cannondale Fulcrum DH ===
-By this point downhill bikes are designed completely differently than their cross country mountain bike ancestors.  Weight is not an issue.  Pedaling uphill is not a thing.  And with race bikes, neither is cost.  Their designs are worth a look, as they're sooo pretty...
-\\
-The Fulcrum used three chains, and five cogs were in use at any time,
-<blockquote>
-Ultimately, the Fulcrum DH was too heavy, a headache to maintain, and too expensive. It was estimated that each bike cost $20,000-30,000 to manufacture. The Fulcrum DH had the potential to be further refined, but unfortunately, the program was canceled after just two years.
-<cite>
-[[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/five-vintage-full-suspension-bikes|The Pro's Closet]]
-</cite>
-</blockquote>
-{{cannonb.jpg?200|1998 Cannondale Fulcrum DH}}
-\\
-Drivetrain Detail [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/five-vintage-full-suspension-bikes|theproscloset]]
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{cannon.jpg?360|1998 Cannondale Fulcrum DH}}
-\\
-Cannondale Fulcrum DH [[https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/five-vintage-full-suspension-bikes|theproscloset]]
-</div>
-<div column 50% #dropper>
-----
-===== Dropper Posts =====
-A truly and uniquely mountain bike specific invention.  The first incarnation, the Hite Rite [1984] from [[breezer:start|Joe Breeze]], usually required you to slow down and fiddle with the seatpost quick release - all without putting a foot on the ground.  Soon came remote cable activation for the Hite Rite from
-[[https://www.oldschoolracing.ch/archiv/interloc-racing-design/|IRD ]]
-[1988], and only much later did internal pneumatic dropper posts come to the market.
-How did we live without this for so many years?
-\\
-Who was first?  As with most inventions, it's a matter of patents and sales.  For example, [[https://kssuspension.com/product-category/droppers/|Kind Shock]] [1998] developed a [[https://www.bikeradar.com/features/is-this-the-worlds-first-dropper-post|prototype post]] from an office chair pneumatic lift, but waited 12 years to develop it to market.((Kind Shock's earliest English patent for a dropper post seems to be
-from [[https://patents.google.com/patent/DE202007014515U1/en|2007]].))  So, it doesn't count - but it's very close.
-\\
-Patents in this case aren't the best indicators of "practical inventions," as many adjustable height seats were patented but none came to market, or they were excellent ideas which never **//proved to be practical//**, either because they couldn't be developed or because they couldn't sell them.
-\\
-So, first to market and sales wins.  Even if they later lose a patent infringement lawsuit.\\
-[[https://gravitydropper.com/gravitydropper-classic/|Gravity Dropper]] [2003] is acknowledged as the first dropper post and was quickly followed a year or two later by Maverick, RockShox, Crank Bros., etc.  Why not Hite Rite?  Because it was frustrating to use while moving and would easily get out of adjustment.  But it remains a huge innovation from the man who "invented" the first mountain bike eight years prior.
-{{patent3.png?200|1984 Hite Rite patent}}
-{{patent1.png?200|1977 Adjustable Seatpost patent}}
-{{patent2.png?200|1997 Adjustable Seatpost patent}}
-  - [1984] Angell & Breeze : Hite Rite [[https://patents.google.com/patent/US4580835A/en|google patents]]
-  - [1973] Showa Group : [[https://patents.google.com/patent/US3861740A/en|google patents]]
-  - [1997] R. J. DeFreitas : [[https://patents.google.com/patent/US5826935A/en|google patents]]
-{{speed.jpg?0x130|2005 Maverick Speedball}}
-{{crank.jpg?0x130|2008 Crank Bros. Joplin}}
-{{rs.jpg?0x130|2010 RockShox Reverb}}
-  - [2005] Maverick Speedball : [[https://web.archive.org/web/20070207020644/http://www.maverickbike.com/speedball.htm|maverickbike archive]]
-  - [2008] Crank Bros. Joplin : [[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/crank-brothers-joplin-review-2008.html|pinkbike]]
-  - [2010] RockShox Reverb : [[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/rockshox-reverb.html|pinkbike]]
-</div>
-<div column 45%>
-{{ird.jpg?360|1984 Hite Rite with a 1988 IRD Remote}}
-\\
-Hite Rite with a 1988 IRD Remote
-[[https://dirtscrolls.com/14964729-a-brief-history-of-the-dropper-seatpost|dirtscrolls]]
-\\
-{{gd.gif?360|2003 Gravity Dropper}}
-\\
-Gravity Dropper
-[[https://web.archive.org/web/20031002005828/http://www.gravitydropper.com/GravityDropper.html|gravitydropper.com]] (Oct 2003 archive)
-\\
-{{magura.jpg?240|2015 Magura Vyron}}
-\\
-Magura Vyron
-[[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/magura-vyron-wireless-electronic-dropper-seatpost-eurobike-2015.html|pinkbike]]
-\\
-Electronic dropper post.
-{{reverb.jpg?180|2019 Rockshox Reverb AXS}}
-{{reverbi.jpg?180|2019 Rockshox Reverb AXS}}
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-RockShox Reverb AXS
-[[https://ebike-mtb.com/en/sram-eagle-axs-rockshox-reverb-axs-review/|ebike-mtb]]
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-Now, with Bluetooth and an IPhone App
-</div>