Grove Protoype Woods bike circa 1991

[FirstFlight]

This bike was designed to push bike handling to the edge of the envelope. The chain stays are a short 15.25"which would normally be difficult to do with 26" wheels. To make this happen, the bottom bracket shell was widened to 80mm, rear hub spacing was widened to 160mm and a track style rear drop out was used. The bottom bracket height was placed at 16" for maximum clearance. Three of these prototype "Woods Bikes" were made and there was a short review in the November 1991 Dirt Rag magazine, written by Jay DeJesus. A NC-based doctor saw the review and purchased this bike from Grove. A second bike was destroyed in testing and Bill Grove still has the third bike. He brought it to the 2007 Cackalacky Cup which saw the reunion of the only two remaining bikes!

 

[Elev12k]

Hi Jeff,

Yes, that is a very impressive bike you have there. Looks very odd. Wonder how it would ride. How does it ride? Ever tried?

I am a happy Grove owner as wel. My Hard Core already has a quite extreme geometry, but your bike beats mine on 'being extreme' hands down

 

[john]

That really is soemthing else and quite a collectors item. would also be interested to know how it rode..

 

[one-eyed_jim]

How long are the cranks on that thing? And the stem?

 

[FirstFlight]

It actually rides fairly normal once you are up and away on it. The center of gravity is noticeably higher but you get used to that fairly quickly. When you stop, it is like jumping down off the second rung of a ladder.

 

[Pickle]

I think the stem makes it look like a shopping bike. With a more traditional rise and length, and a less "agressive" looking chainset, it would be a reasonable bike.

Just all IMO though

 

[Elev12k]

When you stop, it is like jumping down off the second rung of a ladder.

I already have experience that with my Hard Core. Chainstays go up to the BB, like with yours, but not as extreme. You say it is like jumping off the second rung of a ladder. I sometimes think I am on the back of a horse. Not so big horse though. A Shetland pony.

 

[Elev12k]

I think the stem makes it look like a shopping bike. With a more traditional rise and length, and a less "agressive" looking chainset, it would be a reasonable bike.

Just all IMO though

The stem is to make up for the BB height. In relation to the seat the bar looks too high, but isn't the seat just too low?

 

[Pickle]

The stem is to make up for the BB height. In relation to the seat the bar looks too high, but isn't the seat just too low?

Hard to say..... :?

Generally, the bars are a tad lower that the seat height, but on here they are level :?

 

[stevet1]

I reckon its aimed more at tackling slow technical rooty twisty trails rather than head down pedal to the metal wide open type trails.