Tomac Bikes

Anyone ride or hear anything about the Tomac 98 Special?

Is Doug Bradbury designing some of Johnny T's bikes?


He uses the gun theme for a naming convention...interesting

[MMcG]

The 98 Special got less than stellar reviews in a fairly recent issue of Mountain Bike (I think it was the Lust issue....can't miss it...it's the one with the Playboy bunny on the cover.....one of the women from their extreme team). The Tomac was reviewed in comparison to several other FS rigs including a Seven, Rocky Mountain, Foes, and maybe one other rig. All the reviewers rated the bike last. That's not to say that it isn't a good bike, but against its competition it is nothing to shout about.

I personally think the gun theme that Tomac has been using over the last few years is pretty tired. His latest FS creation is called the Revolver I think.

http://www.tomac.com

And yes, I believe Bradbury is helping him with FS designs.

[gungywump]

I rode a demo 6-Shooter this summer. CRAP! The bike looked like something the Sports Authority would sell.
Sorry, I don't want to waste anymore time reliving that horrible experience.

[MtnBikerChk]

Cycling Concepts in Rocky Hill has a 98 special that they let people demo - for free - they are really kewl.

IAB tried the bike - and loved it.

[MMcG]

Did he like it more than his Titus though?

How did it differ from the Quasi-Moto?

Has anyone ridden the older version of this bike the 78 Special?? I've seen some frames advertised on Ebay at pretty good prices.

[MtnBikerChk]

Did he like it more than his Titus though?

How did it differ from the Quasi-Moto?

Has anyone ridden the older version of this bike the 78 Special?? I've seen some frames advertised on Ebay at pretty good prices.


it was when he was in the market for a new bike. It's a xc bike - the qm is a trail borderline dh bike.

[I Are Baboon]

I demo'd a 2002 98 Special Pro Issue. Took it out for two days of agressive XC. I liked it very much. It pedaled smoothly and climbed like a mofo. Handling was easy and the bike was very responsive. The bike was just a little too XC for me. I wanted more of a "do-everything" kind of bike, so I bought the Quasi-Moto. I read a review of the 98 Special Pro in MBA a while back. From what I remember, they liked the bike very much, but thought it was expensive given the parts it comes with.

Impressive you got a 2 day demo. Must be a solid LB. Two different bikes. For a XC geared bike, the Tomac is heavy.


Very entertained that MMc was directing his questions to MBC regarding your opinion of Tomac vs. Titus.

[MMcG]

A two day demo is extremely impressive.......what's the name of that shop btw?

What would make up a great list of FS rigs to test that provide at least 4" of rear travel? I'm not planning on racing anytime soon but do want a FS rig that I can ride for hours and have a ton of fun doing so?

NOO......I was figuring a good level of communication between the MTBCHK and Sir RedButt...........they are lucky to share a passion for the sport. I'm still working on Mrs. Marin! :)

Why is it so hard to find a SRAM-based build kit from all of these catalog, internet and mail order bike part retailers?

[I Are Baboon]

Impressive you got a 2 day demo. Must be a solid LB. Two different bikes. For a XC geared bike, the Tomac is heavy.


Very entertained that MMc was directing his questions to MBC regarding your opinion of Tomac vs. Titus.




Cycling Concepts, Cromwell, CT. They just took my name and phone number and gave me a $2500 bike to ride for two days. Can't beat that! They are the only Tomac dealer in the area. They also sell Gary Fishers (good selection) and Cannondales. Very nice people there. I felt bad not buying my bike from them.

A two day demo is extremely impressive.......what's the name of that shop btw?

What would make up a great list of FS rigs to test that provide at least 4" of rear travel? I'm not planning on racing anytime soon but do want a FS rig that I can ride for hours and have a ton of fun doing so?

NOO......I was figuring a good level of communication between the MTBCHK and Sir RedButt...........they are lucky to share a passion for the sport. I'm still working on Mrs. Marin! :)

Why is it so hard to find a SRAM-based build kit from all of these catalog, internet and mail order bike part retailers?


MMc-

Check out the Santa Cruz Heckler. (or Superlight if you doing more tech XC and less drops)

I wasn't knockin you (or anybody) on your communication chain. I just found it entertaining as I was able to relate to it (on non MTB related stuff).

BTW - Does MBC share IAB's passion for Hockey sur glace??? (I'm asking MMc) ;D

[MMcG]

Why is it that the Heckler is less expensive than the SL? You would think the burlier bike would cost more than the lighter Superlight.

I'm still hoping Mario from Nth Degree will throw me a new frame as a thank you for providing him with info on where he might find some venture capital. Have you seen the Nth Degree site yet? http://www.nthdegreeusa.com

Mario Galasso, formerly of Cannondale, is basing his operation right here in CT (although the frames are being built somewhere else to keep his overhead low)! His frames look similar to SC frames, with a few minor differences. He's also working on his own line of forks to match with the frames.

If only I could win Powerball or something, I'd try and support this CT-based company. Maybe I need to hit Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods and try my luck! ;D

NOO........If memory serves me correctly I think IAB is the one with the passion for hockey (in all its glorious forms I might add). It is a glorious sport! If only I could ride half as good as I can skate!

Would you be a fan of the game NOO?

Go Habs! ;D

[MtnBikerChk]

Very entertained that MMc was directing his questions to MBC regarding your opinion of Tomac vs. Titus.




let's just say I have more free time right now at work.

and btw - Hockey=zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[MMcG]

IAB and I are going to have to work on you when we get together and ride again (hopefully soon) so that we may enlighten you to what truly makes hockey a great sport!

Why do so many New England mountain bikers prefer Marzocchi shocks over the competition? Is it weight? Performace, low maintenance? Or the Bomber Girl Ads? ;D

[I Are Baboon]

IAB and I are going to have to work on you when we get together and ride again (hopefully soon) so that we may enlighten you to what truly makes hockey a great sport!


She will attend anything live. However, she gets a tad annoyed at the constant sports TV viewing I subject her to. ;D She seems to hate football the most. I think she just needs to watch more of it and acquire a taste.

[gungywump]

Why do so many New England mountain bikers prefer Marzocchi shocks over the competition? Is it weight? Performace, low maintenance? Or the Bomber Girl Ads? ;D


They really work.
Maintenance is easy.
They really work.
They are stiffer.
They really work.
Function over weight.
They really work.

[MMcG]

So it's definitely not the Bomber Girls then eh GW?

[joe]

So it's definitely not the Bomber Girls then eh GW?


I doubt it. They had a couple of them at their booth out at Interbike and I really wasn't that impressed.

Attractive women, but they didn't do much for me (I'm more into what I consider to be more normal-looking women who can ride). Certainly not a reason to buy their products.

PS saw the Nth Degree stuff out at Interbike. It defintely looked interesting. Has anyone here ridden any of his stuff (either the frames or the fork)?

[MMcG]

PS saw the Nth Degree stuff out at Interbike. It defintely looked interesting. Has anyone here ridden any of his stuff (either the frames or the fork)?


I contacted the company a while back and got a reply from Mario Galasso........he was still in the process of setting up a network of dealers to stock his frames.........I do believe he was at one of the Pedros Fests....but not sure if you could actually demo one of his bikes.

I do know that he was in search of some Venture Capital to expand his marketing to coincide with his production. I actually sent him some leads for resources.....my dream is that one of those leads will pan out and that he'll send my a shiny new Nth Degree in return. Hey a guy can dream can't he!? ;D

According to some folks at Mountain Bike Review......his fork design should be quite effective if he can pull it off in terms of quality control. His forks definitely aren't cheap though!

Why do so many New England mountain bikers prefer Marzocchi shocks over the competition? Is it weight? Performace, low maintenance? Or the Bomber Girl Ads? ;D


I cant speak for everyone but i will tell you what i like. You never know the fork is there until you make a mistake. Then it softly saves your butt.
I've tried the air stuff front and rear. I prefer the oil and springs. Heavier?, yes but i never notice. I feel that the fatigue caused by the harshness of the air ride is greater then that caused by carting a few extra grams.

[MMcG]

JustBill and/or others....what would be the Marzocchi fork of choice in the 100MM of travel category?

I don't need to go with something as burly as your Dirt Jumper JBill, but would like something sturdy and durable if I go for a FS build up.

Thanks!

[I Are Baboon]

JustBill and/or others....what would be the Marzocchi fork of choice in the 100MM of travel category?


I have the MXC w/ECC lockout on my Titus. It's a good fork, but I hardly ever use the lockout feature.

[MMcG]

IAB did you pick the fork out yourself or did it come with the build kit on your Quasi-Moto?

Why do so many New England mountain bikers prefer Marzocchi shocks over the competition? Is it weight? Performace, low maintenance? Or the Bomber Girl Ads? ;D


I'll add to what Gump and Bill said as I agree with both. They are Bombproof (as much as a fork can be). I have been riding a Zoch since 1998. Routine oil changes, seal and coil inpsections and they haven't failed me yet.

I run what is now considered shorter travel (80-85mm) but set it up so I maximize the full amount of travel. I do set it up so that I bottom the fork out. I believe the fork is built for that. I always record my settings but check them periodically. I use the twist tie trick (always factor in the break in period). For those unfamaliar: Tie a twist tie on the stanchions so that it rests on the arch/sliders. During a ride, periodically check the tie to see how close it moves up to the Crown. You can then insure you are using all the travel, afterall you paid for it. Couple that will the fell of the rebound and such and you'll be stylin.

I'm digressing (suprise)....

MMc, Check out the MX series and Marathon Series. They both offer oil/air options or hybrids and travel from 85mm and up.