Very rare very early rear suspension MTB survivor!, 1984 Hanebrink made MCR Descender Options

[furiousstyles]

I sent this thread to a friend. He gave me permission to post this:

"Dan Hanebrink showed up at the very last Repack race, May 1984, with a similar bike as in the photo. Also at the same race, was Brian Skinner of Canoga Park with his first Descender. I believe Dan’s and Brian’s bikes were separate endeavors. Brian finished the 2.1-mile, 1300-foot-drop course in 52nd out of 91 starters. Dan DNF’d. Not sure why.

Brian Skinner also raced at the second-to-last Repack in April 1984. I’m not sure he was on his Descender, but I think so. He finished 26th of 139 finishers. Dan is not listed as a finisher. This was the first race to attract racers from SoCal to the Fairfax (NorCal) race. Brian later worked for Shimano.

Both Hanebrink’s and Skinner’s bikes were fairly similar in design. I’m not sure whose was first, but they were they first rear-suspension mountain bikes of note. Front suspension came later."

--Joe Breeze

Thanks for the info! From a person of note too! You can tell him it has been on display next to an original Breezer at my favorite LBS.

[SHADES]

[quote name='furiousstyles' post='1028015' date='Oct 14 2010, 08:45 PM']A very rare very early rear suspension bike resurfaces! In great survivor condition!

This is what I have gathered:
From Howleys (mtbr.com) pics of 1984 Repack there is one pictured so it's 83-84. It's the same as the 1984 MCR Descender from a MTBA mag scan from Repack Rider. Hanebrink made Descender frames before him and Brain Skinner parted ways (thanks First Flight/MOMBAT). And Hanebrink went on to do the aluminum shocker for SE Racing (thanks papawheelie via the place I surf too, and I surf a lot, not on waves either LOL) (note the similarity). I could never find any stickered Hanebrinks like this though. I still need to contact Big Bear Bikes to get more info as they are stickered on there also.

The parts. Not all are original:
Hanebrink made Descender frame/swing arm Chromoly dark red only minor scuffs-mostly on swing arm.
SE Racing 26" Landing Gear with brake mounts (and yes this is the OG fork!)
Hanebrink made rear shock
Unknown 26" Front rim with Suntour SE hub
Pro Class 24" rear rim with SR hub
Both tires Tioga Farmer Johns. 24x1.95 and 26x1.95. A little dry rotted but gnarly tread and still have some of the molding nipple things
Shimano cranks FC-B124 Biopace chain rings
Suntour beartrap pedals
Specialized seat
Sugino SP-H fluted post Sugino clamp
HL bars
Toad stool grips
Sunline brake levers
Dia-Compe centerpull brakes
Shimano Shifters
Shimano w/ Elk head derailleurs

Wow Cool Bike ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

My 1985 SE/Hanebrink "SHOCKER"

(IMG:http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z42/shadessean/IMG00453.jpg)

This post has been edited by SHADES: Jun 14 2011, 11:56 PM