Definitely one of the more eye catching designs of the show, the complete line of bikes utilizes a top mounted suspension system that maximizes leverage and eliminates pedal bobbing.. Mtobikes.com spoke with CEO and founder of Pronghorn, Kenneth Dalsgaard, about this stylish line of bikes.

“We were looking for a way to take away some of the disadvantages of the range of suspensions systems on the market. We have a team in Denmark that completely engineered this system from scratch. It is a very efficient riding system, and until you try it you cannot believe the quality of the ride”.

Definitely something we would like to get our hands on for a test this fall.

Check out their products and company mission at www.pronghornracing.com

• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Xtreme Sports ID Bracelet
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo – Day 1 – Pedro’s Trixie Cassette Tool
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: 2009 Ventana El Chucho
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: Wimmer

Something really cool from the Interbike 2008 Expo…it might be a little Orwellian for some…we think it is brilliant!

The Xtreme Sports ID bracelet. It is similar to the Road ID in a plastic bracelet with online information (medical, emergency contact, address). The $8 purchase price buys you a year of coverage ($5 to renew and your account can accommodate multiple bands). The bracelet has your unique ID number and phone number on band for First Responders in case of an emergency.

Although we do not advise riding alone, when you absolutely must ride alone do yourself a favor and ride with one of these bracelets.  When someone else finds you unconscious and looking like the guy below they can call for help and all your medical information will be on file.

• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo – Day 1 – Pedro’s Trixie Cassette Tool
• September 28, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Pronghorn Racing Debut of Top Mounted Suspension Mountain Bikes
• September 26, 2008 -- Going the Distance…The Tools and Gear to Bring With You on Your Next Long Distance Journey
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: 2009 Ventana El Chucho
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: Wimmer
• September 11, 2008 -- What You Should Have in Your First Aid Kit
• September 2, 2008 -- Safety in Mountain Biking
• September 1, 2008 -- MTBR.com Giro Xen Mountain Bike Helmet Review
• August 25, 2008 -- Giro Xen Mountain Bike Helmet Review

Specifically designed for the fixed gear rider, the Pedro’s Trixie is the urban survival tool with all the right pieces to keep that fixie rolling.  Hardened tool steal give this tool a great feel and long lasting life.

• 15mm box end wrench
• Lock ring hook
• 8.9.10mm box end wrenches
• 5mm hex
• Of course, a bottle opener

• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Xtreme Sports ID Bracelet
• September 28, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Pronghorn Racing Debut of Top Mounted Suspension Mountain Bikes
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: 2009 Ventana El Chucho
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: Wimmer
• September 18, 2008 -- What to Pack When Mountain Biking
• July 30, 2008 -- The Best Tools For the Trail

The bike: 2009 Ventana El Chucho

The cool:
29” front wheel and 5” of front travel rolls over some pretty big obstacles
26” rear wheel accelerates faster, is stiffer and maintains standard gearing ratios
5.5” rear travel soaks up the bumps that the front rolls over
Rock solid rear suspension – no slop whatsoever

The luke warm:
Slightly slower 29’er steering
Need to carry two tubes on rides

The Options:
Shock options
Custom geometry, paint and sizes

The review:
If you’ve ever ridden a Ventana mountain bike you’re probably familiar with the solid trail feel that few other bikes can muster. The El Chucho is no exception. What makes this bike different is the 29” front wheel and the 26” rear wheel combines the benefits of both schools of current mountain bike design.
Now how does it ride? To me it feels a just like my two year old El Saltamontes. But the big front wheel on the El Chucho simply rolls over things where my Salty needs a little encouragement. The El Chucho also maintains the wheel stiffness and quick acceleration that most 29’ers lack since it sticks with a standard 26” rear wheel. It’s shorter (than a 29/29) wheelbase and standard 26’er gear ratio also make the El Chucho a quicker handling than any 29’er I’ve ridden. Great for attacking the steep and rocky trails we have in the Las Vegas area or any place where rocky technical conditions prevail.

Many of my riding buddies think it’s funny that Ventana hasn’t adopted a new fangled suspension design like all the other boutique mountain bike brands in the USA. But after riding the other brands, I still find the plushness and stiffness of a Ventana second to none. Sherwood Gibson has finely adjusted his faux bar suspension so that it performs at a higher level than most frames on the market.

• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: Wimmer
• September 28, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Pronghorn Racing Debut of Top Mounted Suspension Mountain Bikes
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Xtreme Sports ID Bracelet
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo – Day 1 – Pedro’s Trixie Cassette Tool
• September 24, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo Begins Today
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: Truvativ HammerSchmidt

The cool:

• Crazy linkage Downhill Frame inspired by Moto GP suspension designs
• Ti main frame, aluminum sub-frame members
• Next generation will have cast magnesium frame fittings
• Front fork compresses from top and bottom, dual crown only attaches and pivots at the top of the frame head tube (see pic 2).

Shown with Ti front brake rotor
Concept Only – No Test Ride, looking for licensing agreements

Contact:  www.bsiinv.com
email:  rusty@sbt.net

• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: 2009 Ventana El Chucho
• September 28, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Pronghorn Racing Debut of Top Mounted Suspension Mountain Bikes
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Xtreme Sports ID Bracelet
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo – Day 1 – Pedro’s Trixie Cassette Tool
• September 24, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo Begins Today
• September 23, 2008 -- 2008 Interbike OutDoor Demo: Truvativ HammerSchmidt