Best retro FS frame?

[ultrazenith]

Hi all, I have been wondering what next to add to my retro collection, and I would like to add a more or less XC capable full suspension frame. The trouble is, there have been some terrible designs back in the 90s (if I have remembered correctly), and I don't want to end up with a duffer. Therefore, any advice/debate on which retro FS frames might be worth looking out for, would be most welcome.

 

[coomber]

Any late 90s marin fsr

Specialized have tweeked but kept generally the same since the late 90s - with good reason.

Otherwise, if you are talking late 90s retro, then you could sneak in the 99-2000 konas which were the four bar design (not the glorified URT) and they were good.

Posher.. go for a turner. But they are pricey. A foes would be nice.

I always wanted (still want) a Rotwild. There's a complete bike on at the moment for £299 but that seems expensive to me.

Avoid URTs even though some people who have them say they are good. It's a flawed design in my opinion.

 

[ultrazenith]

Thanks, what's an URT mean?

 

[coomber]

From wikipedia:

Unified rear triangle[edit]
The unified rear triangle or "URT" for short, keeps the bottom bracket and rear axle directly connected at all times. Suspension action is provided between the rear triangle, which unites rear axle and bottom bracket, and the front triangle, which unites seat and front axle. This design uses only one pivot, which keeps the number of moving parts down. The fixed length between bottom bracket and rear axle gives the URT the advantage of zero chain growth and consistent front derailleur shifting. Additionally the bike is easily modified into a single-speed. However as the URT's suspension moves, the distance between seat and pedals changes, detracting from pedaling efficiency. Furthermore, when the rider shifts any weight from the seat to the pedals, he or she is shifting weight from the sprung part of the bike to the unsprung parts. As such, part of their weight would not be suspended by the suspension system anymore. Since pedaling itself is a shift of this weight, the design is very prone to suspension bob.

Notable examples of bikes with this type of suspension include the Ibis Szazbo, Klein Mantra, Schwinn S-10, and Trek Y.

 

[coomber]

Basically you have two halves of the bike linked together so two triangles.

 

[ultrazenith]

Ah, I understand now.

 

[sparkiegaz]

think orange use to do suss bikes i can remember seeing a few out on trails many moons ago,,,,cant really give you details but they looked smart i remember that much,,,,,never owned one cant say how they went,,,im sure someone here will tell us more,,,,,

 

[syncrosfan]

Mid 90's Rocky Mountain Element TO! I remember reading up on early fully tests and the Rocky always won. Light stiff and good suspension setup plus classic looks.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Proflex! Still a capable xc machine...

 

[coomber]

Re:

Old orange full suss were urt. X1? Not great.

Santa Cruz haven't built a bad bike really. Id look at a first generation heckler.