Looking Backwards to See Forward: Manitou FS II (2025+) 3

Those of us who have followed the MTB movement from its earliest years can recall how Manitou lead the charge on the application of front suspension for mountain bikes. Having done a great deal of work smoothing out the leading edge of the Mountainbike the brand of the dark red M also pioneered the concept of a softer trailing end as it brought about some of the industry’s first iterations of rear suspension. For over 20 years, Manitou has innovated solutions to create a complete #scienceofsmooth platform, beginning with the FS and continuously innovating newer, more sophisticated and higher performance products.

While Manitou has a long and storied history of fantastic and innovative rear suspension solutions and the full suspension Mountainbike is the choice of the majority the groundwork to a smoother experience in the saddle was laid by the Manitou FS project. The origins of mountainbiking were a lot less smooth than what would be the case after some significant evolution within the sport. There was no talk of hardtails but rather hard athletes who resembled medieval knights with as much protection and perhaps even a similar fear of what lay ahead of them in competition. The advent of the first suspension fork by Doug Bradbury under the Manitou name in 1990 was not only disruptive but would prove to change the face of off-road cycling forever. One year later, Bradbury made what would be an equally disruptive development in creating the first serious and functional full suspension MTB. While appreciated at the time, little was it known that the Manitou FS would be the bike that changed everything for the future of MTB to come.

At Manitou, our commitment to pushing the boundaries of mountain biking innovation began in the early 1990s, and one of our proudest achievements was the introduction of the Manitou FS full suspension bike in 1993. At the time, full suspension designs were still emerging, and we knew we had the chance to make a groundbreaking impact on the sport.

Building on our heritage in suspension technology, pioneered by Doug Bradbury, we had already gained a reputation for high-performance suspension forks like the Manitou I. But with the Manitou FS, we took things to the next level, combining front and rear suspension to create a bike capable of handling the toughest, most technical trails.

The FS’s monocoque aluminum frame was a major innovation—lightweight yet strong, it brought aerospace engineering principles to mountain biking. Paired with our elastomer rear suspension, the FS gave riders improved control, comfort, and confidence on rugged terrain. Though elastomers were cutting-edge at the time, this early suspension system laid the groundwork for the more advanced technologies we use today.

The Manitou FS wasn’t just a bike—it was a statement. It helped legitimize full suspension as a real choice for both trail riding and racing. While full suspension was controversial back then, we knew the future of mountain biking demanded it. Our belief was validated as the FS became a sought-after model for serious riders, helping to shape the future of off-road performance.

Though we’ve since evolved our suspension technology, the Manitou FS remains a pivotal part of our history. It helped set the standard for innovation in mountain biking and pushed the limits of what riders could achieve on the toughest trails.

In an effort to celebrate not only the origins of the brand but also an innovation that changed the face of an entire sport, Manitou has partnered with Gamux, Pinion, Gates, Schwalbe, Hayes, ProTaper and Reynolds to create a forward-thinking, modern twist on the original Manitou FS bike. The thought was that while the nostalgic motives for recreating such a bike certainly hold some value, examining the past can also be a conduit to building a better future. Employing lessons learned from such a long and storied history with the same passion and desire to innovate ensures that the future of MTB is every bit as exciting as the wild ride that has brought us to present day. The Manitou FS II project set out to incorporate the most advanced components and solutions of tomorrow on a platform that has roots in the iconic design that kicked off the revolution of the full suspension mountain bike.

THE FRAME

The relatively small in terms of size but huge in terms of innovation, engineering prowess and passion (a fitting and coherent match to the Doug Bradbury operation of year’s ago) made Gamux the perfect match to develop the frame for such a project. The Swiss frame builders run a smart engineering firm, developing designs not only for their own frames but for a long list of A-list clients in the cycling industry as well.

For the FS II project the Swiss engineers combined cutting-edge production and engineering technologies such as CNC machining and bonding with the finest raw materials available to create yet another Gamux frame ahead of its time. From CAD design and FEM optimization to manufacturing components from 7075-T651 aluminum on a 5-axis CNC machine to redesigning the fork lowers, the frame build was equal parts artistry equal parts scientist.

THE BUILD

Building the frame of the future required the incorporation of the drivetrain of the future and as such, the Manitou FS II proudly boasts a Pinion C1.12 gearbox as well as a Gates CDX belt drive. The inclusion of said technologies conditioned heavily the design of the frame, and the overall packaged ushered in a great deal of performance benefits (admittedly more evident on modern frames with modern rear suspension) in the form of lower center of gravity for better handling, protected gearing and significant reductions in unsprung weight. To ensure that even the smallest details of the bike were coherent with creating the most advanced overall build possible, the finishing spec is the stuff of Dream Build videos the likes of what we see on Gee Milner’s channel. The Manitou Mattoc fork, perhaps the most versatile fork available with its 110-150mm travel range is the veritable jack of all trades that excels in all it does thanks to its versatile specificity. The lightest and stiffest solution in its class, the Mattoc can perform flawlessly anywhere from XC to light enduro and everywhere in between…the fork of tomorrow that takes lessons from the origins of MTB, when there was but one discipline: mountainbiking.

The rear suspension replicates the iconic Manitou FS original design but does so using a Manitou Junit fork with custom CNC lowers and retuned internals. The youth fork might be for smaller riders, but it is packed with the same internals, technologies and performance benefits as found in adult sized forks and as such made for the perfect addition to this conventional/unconventional modern/retro build.

While the suspension ensures the smoothest ride possible the build incorporates the latest and greatest 309 Enduro wheels from Reynolds which boast not only unmatched efficiency and performance but offers just the right amount of vertical compliance as well to ensure handling not found elsewhere. Those hoops can also count on the finest rubber to meet the road via the most advanced Schwalbe tires in circulation…light years ahead of anything imaginable in the years of the first Manitou FS. 

In yet another addition of a brand that hearkens back to the origins of our sport, the modern/retro build sports the Hayes Dominion brakes in their limited edition purple colorway. Said colorway is a hat tip to the origins of the brand, which coincidentally launched the original hydraulic disc brakes for MTB in addition to shaping the standards and designs for the industry as a whole for years to follow. The original logo boasted elements of purple in the logo and was seen atop the best athletes to grace the trails in its day…fast forward to 2024 and the same is true for this hue of purple.

To finish out the build, the finest finishing kit available was used from both Wolf Tooth for grips, pedals, spacers and more to ProTaper…the bar that started it all. 

As we reflect on the past, we not only see where we’ve come from but also catch a glimpse of the future of mountain biking. From the Manitou rear-facing arch to the standards Hayes set for brakes, and the near-universal adoption of full suspension, today’s riders—whether in XC, DH, or anything in between—are enjoying a better experience in the saddle, hands down. They ride on the technology of tomorrow, built upon lessons from the past for an incredible present.

More info here.