The Ventana Wiki - 1985 to 2021

[MattiThundrrr]

"Probably around 2005. Prototype Ventana, 29" front, 27.5" rear. I also tested a 26" rear. I loved this one with the 27.5". I wanted to call it the Mullet. But I got over ruled. They went with the 26" rear version and called it "El Chucho" (the mutt). The 27.5 size was so new to mtn biking at the time. They didn't know if that size would take off. Not many tire and rim manufacturers were producing that size. So they decided to stay safe with the 26" version."

 

[DrmZ]

I have a 1996 Ventana El Habanero.







It needed some love when I found it.
I polished the frame, added new decals and head badge (available from Ventana directly) and replaced the smaller bushings.
The original Fox Vanilla Coilover is heavy and works okay, I changed it for a Manitou Swinger Air which is more lightweight and works better.

Small build thread (in German) here:
https://www.mtb-news.de/forum/t/mal-was-anderes-ventana-el-habanero-aufbau.924633/

 

[Superretrodave]

One of the guys at ratrodbikes.com was a welder for ventana. He's shared a few of his bikes...

"Ventana started out steel but switched to aluminum. They did build a steel coupler tandem that was a work of art.

Their history is a bit on the secretive side. They built bikes for other companies also. It was always hush, hush. A few years back they were building Fat Chance frames. I happen to stop by one day and met Chris Chance. Waaaay back in the late 90s they built frames for a very large bike company. Most of those were built for the TDF."
https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/show-us-your-art-and-other-art-talk.118031/post-1243899

Oh wow that’s cool.

 

[slimjoe]

Not sure of the year but I had this 26” full susser a few years back. The frames construction was to a pretty high standard

 

[slimjoe]

Found this late 90’s test of a Ventana hardtail in an old MBA mag. Beautiful bike

 

[jimi911]

Oh man … so many great updates! Gonna add #17 pics

 

[jimi911]

Here’s Marble Peak number 17 … Ventana #40 something if I recall correctly from Sherwood. This would have been a year one bike made in his garage. Weld quality is superb. Really advanced for 1991.









Frame: Ventana Marble Peak

Fork: Manitou

Headset: Chris King
Stem: Ventana
Handlebar: Answer Hyperlite
Grips: Tomac ODI
Barends: None

Brakes: Avid
Brake Pads: KoolStop
Brake Cables: Shimano
Cantilever cable hangers: Avid
Brake Levers: Tech Lite

Shifters: Shimano XT
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Derailleur Cables: Shimano
Cassette: Shimano
Chain: Shimano
Cranks: Cooks Quality Products
Crank Bolts: Ti
Chainrings: Shimano
Chainring bolts: Shimano
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT
Pedals: Shimano

Hub Skewers: Control Tech
Rims: Mavic
Hubs: Pulstar ... for now ... got something waaaaaaay cooler.
Nipples: DT
Spokes: DT
Tyres: Maxxis
Tubes: MEC

Saddle: Selle Flite Ti
Seatpost: Custom Ventana IRD
Seatpost Binder: Ventana/Control tech

 

[PanoIgano]

Here is a Ventana I am working on at the moment.

Will post better quality pics soon:

 

[Elev12k]

What is wrong with the picture quality Looking forward to better pics.

@jimi911
Very nice example you have there.