Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Best bike pic of all time?

For folks that have been around a while, this image is apparently instantly recognizable as the Boulder Bike Poster that lived in just about every bike shop in the 80s.

According to those who debated the issue back in the day, this is real. That is, it's not a fake jump.

Further, I think that would be a v1 Fox Rock Shox fork (thanks BDD).

This is the photo that inspired the word RAD.

14 comments:

Andy D. said...

I remember the poster well. I don't doubt at all that the jump is real. I drooled over this actual bike in Boulder when it was new in 1989. It was certainly the superbike of the day. An odd thing to note is the rear triangle pivot linkage depended on a single link from a motorcycle chain.

Not to contradict you John, but I would be willing to bet that the fork is a Rock Shox RS-1. I never saw a paint-matched Boulder Gazelle with anything else.

John Speare said...

Of course it's a Rock Shox. Good catch. I fixed it.

Andy D. said...

Great find with this photo. I've got about 5 years worth of Mountain Bike Action magazines and various catalogs in my basement from the late 80s to early 90s when suspension really started to take off. Your post reminds me that I should scan some of them one of these days.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I don't think I could do that fully clothed.

Riding in Reno said...

Perfect fodder to inspire a photo contest!

Anonymous said...

Sexy socks.

Anonymous said...

What sox?

Anonymous said...

Corrected: Rock Shox, fox sox.

Traditional Bike Club Curmudgeon said...

Looking at that photo and discussing the shock pretty much defines the term "bike nerd".

ouokh said...

I have this poster in near mint condition,the back side has the bike specs., as well as bike pic. Anybody know the value ?

Purple said...

Where can I read the debate on whether it's real or not? Did they not have photoshop back then? I know they had chroma key back then, because they used it for the weather on the news.

Anonymous said...

Lads, I'm sorry to tell you that the photo is not real.
1) Anyone with a history in the sport will know that those legs don't have very many cycling miles in them. Lack of cyclists muscles and cycling specific definition. Don't doubt it, you all know a cyclists legs when you see them, and those are not cyclists legs.
2) You don't get that kind of skill if you don't ride a bike. Reflect on point # 1. This person is not an avid rider and therefore will not have the skill to land this safely wearing nothing but essentially swimwear and no helmet.
3) Her hair should be a dead give away. Due to the angle of the bike, it is depicted that she is on the downward trajectory of the air travel. No still ascending. If so, her hair would be pointing more skyward as if she was dropping towards the ground quickly. On second note here,... if she was still in an upward trajectory with her front wheel below her back wheel,... then she is definitely going over the handlebars. That being the case,... she wouldn't be smiling. Unless of course if she wasn't an avid bike rider, which we have established already.
4) Lastly the shadows on the bike are the ultimate give away. The light on the model is coming from her back right side. See the seat shadow on her left leg and many other bike shadows etc. The lighting on the rock and trees is coming from a totally different angle.
5) Lastly,... the word Rad was inspired by BMX riders in the early 1980's if not 79. But no doubt, the lady in question and the photo depict a very cool time in cycling history.

Unknown said...

I have an autographed version from her!! I'm trying to find out more, please help!

Unknown said...

I have an autographed version from her!! I'm trying to find out more, please help!