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First Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Posted on August 1, 2019August 1, 2019 by Charlie Kelly

Suspension was an obvious thought as soon as mountain bikes became popular, but it took some doing for the first operational system to get on the market. First out were Dan Hannabrink’s Shocker and Brian Skinner’s Descender in 1984, both rear suspension systems.

Skinner actually brought the descender to the final race in the Repack series, but the course identified a flaw in the design, when he couldn’t keep the chain in place.

Brian Skinner’s Descender

Dan Hannebrink and Brian Skinner worked together on suspension designs, and Dan’s “Shocker” is very similar to the Descender.

The 1987 Bushido never actually made it to market. I never saw a working example, but the advertising made it into my hands.

2 thoughts on “First Full Suspension Mountain Bike”

  1. Kelly Covington says:
    August 7, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    Thank You for this great, classic article. I’ve been an avid mountain bikes since my ROSS Mt. HOOD of the late 80’s so these classics have a special place in my heart. Keep em’ coming!

  2. Kevin Montgomery says:
    August 12, 2019 at 10:40 am

    Very interesting post, Charlie. I recall seeing an attempt at a suspended mountain bike at Tiburon Bicycles in 1978 or ’79, I think. There was also a snow bike, with a track on the back and a ski on the front. Very innovative experimenters. I ordered my Lowell Knight Procruiser from them soon after.

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