1998 DH Bike Vs Modern Hardtail - 25 Years Of Change

OH MAN. I’m 41 and seeing that Intense bike brought back memories of all my daydreaming as a teenager.

These old bikes sound like a toolbox falling down a set of stairs :D

I've been riding since 1993 and remember lusting after the Intense bikes. Thanks for a really fun video that brought back a lot of memories for me. I rode Toads in South Lake Tahoe on my Titus Switchblade around 25 years ago and came back last weekend on my 2022 Norco Range. Anyone who has ridden Toads knows that the upper section offers some really fun rocky tech. Even though that first ride happened a 1/4 century ago and memory is fogged by the passage of time, the difference in the bikes' abilities was pretty apparent. We live in a good time to be mountain bikers!

Hey Everyone! Hope you enjoy this video, we tried to take a lot of the feedback from the first video and do a better job with this one. For anyone wondering the complete spec on the bikes in this video is lined out below. This one was actually pretty scary to make haha, the hardtail run tested my limits a little bit more than i anticipated. Also to try and make the comparison a little more fair, the day before we filmed, i switched the hardtail from full 29 inch wheels to a mullet setup, installed a different fork, and put on a fresh front tire ( eddy current) that i was not used to running. I just wanted to make the familiarity of the bikes a little more equal. Again this is just a fun series that I've wanted to try for over a year, and April has been really supportive in helping film it and get it done, its by no means a hard take on what bike is better or not. I am just genuinely curious on what it would feel like to ride the older bikes and what major improvements have been made! Bike Spec: Fork: 1998 Rockshox Boxxer Fork, 32mm Stanchion, 6 inch travel Shock: 1998 Fox Vanilla Shock , 6 inch travel in rear of bike Wheels: Mavic 321 wheels Tires: 26 x 2.35 Kenda Nevegal - 25psi front - 30 psi rear Handlebar: Easton Monkey Bar 25.4 clamp Stem: Kore 75mm Stem Drivetrain: Shimano XT Brakes: Hayes Comp Chainguide: MRP Dual Guide Grips: Oury Slip on Frame: Niner Air 9 Size Large Fork: SR Suntour Durolux, 140mm travel, 36mm stanchion Shock: NA Wheels: 27.5" Stans Baron Rear, 29" Flow Front Tires: Schwalbe Big Betty Rear 27.5x2.6 W Cuchcore XC , Schwalbe Eddy Current Front 29x2.4 Handlebar: PNW Range Stem: Pnw 35mm Drivetrain: Shimano SLX Brakes: Shimano SLX Chainguide: NA Grips: PNW Loam

One thing a lot of people aslo seem to notice is the sound. These bikes were "loud" while modern bikes float silent over trails, just rubber on the surface...

The time made up in that last flat drag by the 9er was insane! Every split was slower until it was hammer time.

Love these vintage bike comparisons, and can’t wait to see more! This format would also be good for a “budget” vs “high end” spec on same bike comparison as well. I’d love to see what the real performance envelope is of a budget spec and what your thoughts are on what you give up vs high end.

That’s the first full suspension bike I saw in 98/99 at Torker jumps in Orcutt, CA. It blew my mind

Your commentary as you flew down the hill was pretty funny 🤣 Bikes have come a long way!!

Man, Kyle is so fast on that old bike🔥

Watching the evolution of XC and downhill bikes in the 90s was an interesting journey, and then being away from mountain biking for some time to come back to see what bikes are today is mind-blowing. My old retro grouchy XC rides share almost nothing in common with today's bikes, with the exception of my seatpost and saddle. EVERYTHING is soooooo different today than it was even in the early 2000s, not to mention the 90s. These videos really underscore how good today's bikes have gotten with improved frame, tire and shock technology. I can't give up my old bikes, but I'm surely looking more at a contemporary ride next spring, even if my old bones aren't coming anywhere close to today's freeride trails or those Volkswagen -sized rocks (good god, those are frightening). Keep these videos coming!

Kyle, you belong on a bike dude! That’s your best self. LOVE seeing you back in full swing on a bike ❤

The commentary as you ride is gold. Shocking to watch you go thru the rocks. Crazy how fast it looks in POV mode. Another cool video, I see a different look in Kyle’s eyes…similar to pre poke….very good to see. April doing the editing? She’s good, real good. Have a great weekend you two

I love that you could get your hands on a mint condition '98 Intense Uzzi! That is so epic, but was it really only 38 lbs?! That's the same as my modern DH bike!

I'm still riding my 2001 Kona Stinky. Bought used in 2003 for $500! Still love it. But getting harder and harder to find 26" tires and parts that still fit

Seen a few old vs new type videos and have to say this is the first I've properly enjoyed, mainly because you gave both bikes a fair opportunity to show their best in relatively even circumstances. Swapping to an unfamiliar wheel/tyre on the HT was an especially smart move I thought. Thanks for taking the effort to really do a proper job - not to mention fully putting your neck on the line by giving it 100%!

It’s a joy just watching you ride ANYTHING!!❤️

I love these videos. I rode DH from the late 90s to mid 00s. Brings back so many good and bad memories!

Saw you the first time on Youtube when you were talking about myocarditis. It's awesome to see you in these videos, what a great recovery! You are a mad man, going down these hills like this, but very exciting content for us couch potatoes 😂

This is s great series, looking forward to more. It is so good to see you healthy again!