Is there a retro full sus bike which can still cut it?

[FSR-Si]

I know this might sound condesending but while the Specialised looks similar the performance difference was/is massive. A friend had the same Spec. frame as yours. It never felt as good as the Uzzi despite being newer, and it died in a little over two years. Bushings instead of bearings at the pivots were it's downfall, as they were for the Haro, Diamond Back, and most other cheaper full sussers from that period.

Not condescending at all everyones entitled to their opinion and i'm old enough to listen without taking offence, But by your own admission your £1250 frame is now only fit for hanging up on the wall whereas the FSR is still plodding on with the original bushings the only thing that has let the bike down for me is the forks are goosed and the BB gave up a while ago Although the above could well be down to differing riding styles.

Edit, I should have said the Specialised was good, the Uzzi was better!

Difficult to say really as i've never ridden one.

 

[scant]

I Although the above could well be down to differing riding styles.
.

aint that the truth! 1 persons hard ride is anothers pootle

(no offense meant to either party, I dont know you guys! 1/2 the FSRs I sold in surrey days never left the thames tow path!)

 

[messiah]

Here are the only pics of the Uzzi I have hosted at the moment.

This is me and my Uzzi in March 2004 - we were riding the seesaw at Glentress... Well, I say riding it... more turning it into a HUGE jump by trying to hit it with enough speed that your off the end before it has time to tip. .

And this is one of my local trails, a real rock garden that is much steeper than this photo makes it look... total concentration required.

I think my riding style absolutely lead to the retirement of my Uzzi. But I did get seven years out of it which is incredible considering my bike breaking history. OK - strictly speaking I got seven years out of the main frame as the seat-tower, seat-stays, chainstays, shock, spring, pivot-plates, bolts, and bearings were all replaced when they broke

The main reason I never changed it for seven years was that there was no need... it was that good a bike despite the occasional warranty issues :roll: Strictly speaking it can still be used it's just that I'm fussy and would want it to not rattle as much as it will, maybe one day Ill fix it up?

The Nicolai I now ride is four years in... and I doubt I'll break it... but that won't stop me trying :twisted:

 

[Elev12k]

John, I spose its meant to lock out;

but the lateral flex in the swing-arm more than makes up for the bob
enough slagging, Its a modification of the Iron Horse Verlicchi design which won shit loads of downhill stuff BITD and I think it's still a great ride today.
Thoroughly recommend, if you can find one.
I'm running '95 3" marzocchi DH3s instead of the original '94 XC400s which makes things better and V's so it stops.

Very nice

I think the Verlicchi is about the best you can get! I am earlier at the top than all my regular modern rig rider-budies, so that proves it all!

Serously, it is a joy to ride ...and yes, if you know how to ride it you can still do a XC track pretty fast.

 

[FSR-Si]

I Although the above could well be down to differing riding styles.
.

aint that the truth! 1 persons hard ride is anothers pootle

(no offense meant to either party, I dont know you guys! 1/2 the FSRs I sold in surrey days never left the thames tow path!)

Can believe it too, Shop i worked in, in the mid 90's offered a free 6 month service and again half the bikes came back without even having the cables stretched :shock:

 

[FSR-Si]

The main reason I never changed it for seven years was that there was no need...

Exactly my philosophy too

Nice pics by the way

 

[rody]

John,

If it were me looking for a retro squishy, I'd be looking for an old Grove or a Billy and updating them with a newer stable platform shock...the older designs work sooo much better with the new shock technology, the previous issues have dissapeared.

cheers,

rody

 

[Old Ned]

John, I spose its meant to lock out;

but the lateral flex in the swing-arm more than makes up for the bob
enough slagging, Its a modification of the Iron Horse Verlicchi design which won shit loads of downhill stuff BITD and I think it's still a great ride today.
Thoroughly recommend, if you can find one.
I'm running '95 3" marzocchi DH3s instead of the original '94 XC400s which makes things better and V's so it stops.

What pressure do you run your shocks at? I'm around 13.5 stone (should be about 2 stone lighter!!), any recommendations?

Mine could be available (frame, forks, seatpin, stem) if anyone's interested? I've hardly used it even though I've had it for donkey's years. It's almost identical to the one shown.

 

[andrewl]

Turner FTF

Here's some shots of the 1994/95 Turner FTF frame brochure.

In my opinion it's so much better than anything else in 94 and you can still get all the rocker bushings and piviot bolts from Turner - as well as good conversation with David Turner if you want to chat about any of his bikes.

For me this is the holy grail of early to mid 90s Full Suspension Mountain bikes and I've been trying to find one for years. The fact that pretty much anyone who bought one back in the day doesn't want to part with them is a testament to the build and ride quaility (and Turner service).

Realistically a late 90s Burner XCE (not to be confused with the earlier Burners which apeared in late 95 for MY96 on) runs rings around it, which in turn a 5 Spot will run rings around now too.

Development and evolution has a tendancy to do that though

 

[Wold Ranger]

Old Skool Suss

Orange Mr O, Coyote DH1 were pretty bombproof, Turner Burner with Amp rear end? Kona Stinky's were about mid 90's and still in production now, Sunn's ladder frame DH bike was always successful and as previously mentioned Specialised got it right early on but then waht about Giant when Rob Warner ws up there? Thay was mid 90's Also Cannondale did countless DH sleds in the 90's that won just about everything and have'nt changed that much since?