Originally Posted by
cbrstar
Now this is speculation on my part... But I've always wondered with their MTB's if they still hadn't gave up on the idea that a longer head tube made for a much stronger frame and incorporated it into the design. Or just like the scooters they tought it was a good way to get rid of this extra tubing?
I recall frames not having the gusset cracking at the head tube, but my memory could be of cheaper frames. Well, that and the early aluminum stuff (PK, JMC) or crazy form over function stuff (CW Phaze). I would think the tall head tube was needed to be a little longer to get that slack angle for downhill geometry, but that's just my guess. Although they made multiple sizes I did not get why they made them so tall. I can't imagine falling from those if riding seriously but I also think in terms of bmx. As downhill bikes it may not have mattered as much. Or maybe it was influence from the tall road frames of the 70's.
I do really like the mid 80s and earlier MTBs now and have several. Many have some nice BMX touches and parts.