Show us your...Manitou

I've seen a lot of Manitou in commercial version equipped differently ...I found it very interesting to see these renderings and the choices of each. But where are these bikes?'?

Does anyone have much info on how many FS frames DB actually made? and if he used any kind of frame numbering system?

for eample ive seen details of a DB built Manitou FS with frame number FS0009 xx-Oct-92 aswell as another simply stamped 04 II have also read online that doug made aprox 60 bikes. theres alot of info and archives out there but is there any info to suggest Manitou continued the numbering system?

xx Oct 92 - FS0009 (Doug Bradbury Manitou Prototype?)
xx Nov 92 - FS005x (Answer Manitou)
xx Dec 92 - FS017x (Answer Manitou)
xx Jan 93 - FS024x

Test reviews of the early Manitou FS bikes poped up as early as May - October 92 according to some archives

BrushedAluminium said:

Does anyone have much info on how many FS frames DB actually made? and if he used any kind of frame numbering system?

for eample ive seen details of a DB built Manitou FS with frame number FS0009 xx-Oct-92 aswell as another simply stamped 04 II have also read online that doug made aprox 60 bikes. theres alot of info and archives out there but is there any info to suggest Manitou continued the numbering system?

xx Oct 92 - FS0009 (Doug Bradbury Manitou Prototype?)
xx Nov 92 - FS005x (Answer Manitou)
xx Dec 92 - FS017x (Answer Manitou)
xx Jan 93 - FS0249

Test reviews of the early Manitou FS bikes poped up as early as May - October 92 according to some archives

Click to expand...

Doug made just about 60 FS frames according to his build book. The first one (which I linked above) was built in 1991 and has no S/N.

He build the/a prototype of the 2nd gen Answer FS (also no S/N) and may have helped with some of the early 1st generation Answer FS and the design iterations on the rear end. Though in the case of the later FS bikes I don't know whether Doug (and his team) build those bikes for Answer, or if Answer made them for Doug under his management or something.

In general a good rule of thumb is if it's a Bradbury it won't have a serial number, and if it has serial number it's not a Bradbury. Though I know if at least a couple exceptions to that rule.

mkozaczek said:

Doug made just about 60 FS frames according to his build book. The first one (which I linked above) was built in 1991 and has no S/N.

He build the/a prototype of the 2nd gen Answer FS (also no S/N) and may have helped with some of the early 1st generation Answer FS and the design iterations on the rear end. Though in the case of the later FS bikes I don't know whether Doug (and his team) build those bikes for Answer, or if Answer made them for Doug under his management or something.

In general a good rule of thumb is if it's a Bradbury it won't have a serial number, and if it has serial number it's not a Bradbury. Though I know if at least a couple exceptions to that rule.

Click to expand...

Yes it seems by December 1993 Answer Manitou had already produced approx 175 Frames and some of the earlier serial numbers being produced in Nov (all stamped Answer Manitou)

Any 1992 Manitou FS out there with serial number lower than FS005x (Oct-Nov 92) ??

Old thread revival ...
My bike is stamped FS9401181 - 03 Oct 1998 - 18 .... not sure what the 18 represents ( picture attached)
I worked for the importer of Manitou in NZ back in the 90s and we imported a total of 5 frame sets . At the time I recalled being advised that Bradbury had sold out to Answer who would take over production of the forks but Bradbury would build the bike .. how true that is I dont know.

Currently rebuilding a frame set that has been badly damaged , cracks to BB and headset area , along with dented frame and damaged rear suspension crown etc .
Have been rebuilding it up as an engineering project (Re-learning how to use a mill and lathe etc) with bespoke suspension on the rear , using Fox gravel Fork stanchions with internal Air and Oil , the sliders / crown / and booster are bespoke that sort of look like the originals . Still a bit to do .. lots of finishing etc
Fun build but I am sure not to the purists taste !

Not pure but it is well set up probably will ride as a dream. I have not seen a WB fork for a long time and they look so good ... Nice project.