To give you a bit extra history on my bike, I originally bought it from the Vario factory in Grenoble in 2000 as an old stock discount.
If I remember right, I bought the frame, fork, cranks and wheels from the factory and then the remaining bits from a local bike shop.
I remember almost wetting myself in the shop waiting for the mechanic to bolt it all together!
A friend of mine lived in Grenoble at the time and took me there.
I went riding on it during the same holiday and it still lives in my memory as one of the best holidays ever, mostly cos it was the first full suspension bike I'd ridden and to ride it in the Alps literally was a dream come true (sorry, getting corny now, but its true).
I rode it in the Alps each year intil 2004.
In fact in 2004 I rode it down the Les Gets world champs track a few days before the event. Bas de Baver was there practicing (with a hilarious and massive beard). I had a brief chat with him and he told me about the developments he made to the bike (although I can't actually remember what) in the telecabin queue.
Although he rode for B1, they were made in the Vario factory
I bought a Yeti DH9 after that, just cos I wanted something new and basically the Vario has sat in various cellars ever since.
I did ride it once about 2 years ago and honestly couldn't believe just how un-dated it felt.
Yeah, the geometry is kind of odd compared to modern bikes, but the frame is stiff and the suspension is progressive and plush - and works.
It just never sees light of day really though, so I've just decided to sell it
