| Make: | Mantis |
| Model: | Pro Floater |
| Year: | 1995 |
| Size: | 20 in. |
| Color: | Super Red |
| Serial Number: | 95PFB018 |
| Frame: | tig welded aluminum - 6061 |
| Fork: | 1996 Rock Shox Judy DH |
| Rear Shock: | Noleen NR-1 - coil over |
| Headset: | WTB Momentum w/ grease guard |
| Front Derailler: | Shimano XTR (m900) |
| Rear Derailler: | Shimano XTR (m900) |
| Rear Cogs: | Shimano XTR (m900) 12-32 (8-speed) |
| Hubs: | Shimano XTR |
| Rims: | Bontrager Red (front) / Blue (rear) |
| Brakes: | Paul Crossstop III |
| Levers: | Paul Love Levers |
| Shifters: | Shimano XT (m739) |
| Cranks: | Cook Bros. Racing RSR 24/36/46 |
| Bottom Bracket: | World Class titanium 122.5mm |
| Pedals: | Shimano m737 |
| Bar: | Bontrager Titec 175g 23 in. |
| Stem: | Control Tech 135mm / 5 degree 1-1/8 in. threadless |
| Seat Post: | American Classic 28.6mm |
| Saddle: | Serfas Lola |
| Bike Weight : | 27 lbs |
The "Other" Cunningham
In 1981 Richard Cunningham (future editor of Mountain Bike Action magazine) began building bicycle frames in Southern California under the Mantis brand name. After more than 12 years and several innovative models, Cunningham sold the Mantis brand. Several of the models that Cunningham had created, including the Pro Floater, continued to be produced after the company's sale. However, soon there after, Mantis bicycles disappeared, with the 1997 model year being the final.
The Pro Floater was introduced in 1991 as Mantis' first full suspension frame. The model remained
basically unchanged until the '95 model, when it was redesigned by Cunningham and produced under the new
company ownership. Changes included: 1-1/8" head tube instead of the previous 1", an enlarged 28.6mm seat post instead
of a 26.8mm, and a redesigned rear triangle. The original (1991-94) rear triangle was made of tubular steel,
which tended to flex and unfortunately tended to crack. The redesigned rear was a beefy, heavily CNCed, box-shaped, aluminum swing arm,
which was stiffer and less prone to failure. The frame remained unchanged from 1995-97. Many of the earlier frames received an updated rear triangle,
which bolted on without modification.
At the time of it's production, the Pro Floater was considered one of the premiere full suspension frames.
For a 1991 design, the Pro Floater was well ahead of it's time. Many modern frames still use the basic suspension
design today - take a look at the Santa Cruz Super Light as an example.
I picked up this unused frame in early 2006. It took a little over a year to scrounge together parts to build it as I thought I wanted. Some of the components are rare and finicky (the Paul Cross Stops), but mostly it was built to be a rideable pseudo-vintage full suspension. You might just see me riding it on the trails some days.
Update (Jan 08) - Finally, all of the changes that I wanted to make have been made. The Judy XC w/ 63mm of travel has been replaced with a 80mm travel Judy DH (although I keep the XC outers). The brakes are set up nicer, and a longer stem has been installed. Once the weather improves, I'll get to try out the new and improved Pro Floater.
-el