It’s difficult to know quite where to start explaining the San Andreas, it’s almost become too much of a myth; the “Legendary San Andreas”. The first true monocoque, the first with disc brakes, the first with a removable sub-frame, the first with a suspension system drawn from real world design, and on the list goes.
What can we say about this bike… Well the owners love them – in the same way as Classic Cars are collected by the enthusiast, and to this day they are still ridden the world over.
As testimony to its success, the San Andreas ‘Classic’ (as opposed to the DNA) is the “longest running full-suspension MTB in history” – believe it or not – she’s 20 years old this year!
From the original brochures:
San Andreas
“Have you ever wondered where the removable subframe originated? Have you ever wondered where you could find the best high pivot suspension design on the market? Does the rear end of your buddy’s (or worse, your) bike wiggle like a worm on a hook? We’ve got the answers… The standard San AndreasTM features our exclusive AfterShockTM rear shock which yields 4.5″ of rear wheel travel. Shown in a ball-burnished finish, the San AndreasTM is the design everyone emulates. and Y-not? It climbs like a goat, and runs like a cheetah.
But don’t take our word for it, Mountain Bike Action described it as having “… the body of a jet fighter, the soul of a junkyard dog, the strength of a farm implement and the speed of motorcross bike…” (Mountain Bike Action, March 1997.)
And to keep all that power under control, every San AndreasTM is compatible with PRO STOP hydraulic disc brakes.”
San Andreas DHS
This bike is the Ultimate in Downhill Technology. Mountain Cycle pushes the envelope of fullsuspension with the San Andreas DHS. It features a fully adjustable shock with 6″ of rear wheel travel and adjustable rebound and compression damping. The DHS Swingarm also features mounting tabs compatible with disc brakes for the ultimate in stopping power, because all good things must come to an end…
* A 6″ travel fork such as the Risse Champ or Bullet USA’s Zzyzxx will give a head angle of 68-69 degrees and 3-4″ travel forks (Rock Shox DHO, Judy; Marzocchi Bomber; Girvin Chubby, White Brothers) will give head tube angle of 71-72 degrees.
** Standover height will change dependent on the fork and shock used.
*** With Stratos Helix Pro Coil-Air shock. Complete bike weights will range from 25 – 32 lbs. Avg weight – 29 lbs.
| San Andreas |
Small subframe rear
|
SM forward
|
LG subframe rear
|
LG forward
|
| Top Tube (effective) |
41.7″ | 55.6cm
|
41.7″ | 53.1cm
|
41.7″ | 58.4cm
|
41.7″ | 55.9cm
|
| Seat Tube (effective) |
41.7″ | 49cm
|
41.7″ | 47.8cm
|
41.7″ | 50.8cm
|
41.7″ | 49.5cm
|
| Wheel base |
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
| Bottom Bracket |
12.4″ | 31.496cm
|
12.4″ | 31.496cm
|
12.4″ | 31.496cm
|
12.4″ | 31.496cm
|
| Chain Stay Length (effective) |
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
| Seat Tube |
45.2cm
|
45.2cm
|
45.2cm
|
45.2cm
|
| Seat Tube Angle |
77.6
|
72.5
|
76.5
|
71
|
| Head Tube Angle |
71 – 68.5
|
71 – 68.5
|
71 – 68.5
|
71 – 68.5
|
| Stand Over |
28″| 71.12cm
|
28″| 71.12cm
|
28″| 71.12cm
|
28″| 71.12cm
|
| BB Shell |
73mm
|
|||
| Seatpost |
31.6mm
|
|||
| Front Derailleur |
31.8mm
|
|||
| Headset |
1 1/8″
|
|||
| Chainline |
49-50mm
|
|||
| Rear Travel |
4.5″
|
|||
| San Andreas DHS | Small subframe rear | SM forward | LG subframe rear | LG forward |
| Top Tube (effective) |
41.7″ | 55.6cm
|
41.7″ | 53.1cm
|
41.7″ | 58.4cm
|
41.7″ | 55.9cm
|
| Seat Tube (effective) |
41.7″ | 49cm
|
41.7″ | 47.8cm
|
41.7″ | 50.8cm
|
41.7″ | 49.5cm
|
| Wheel base |
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
41.7″ | 105.918cm
|
| Bottom Bracket |
13.5″ | 34.29cm
|
13.5″ | 34.29cm
|
13.5″ | 34.29cm
|
13.5″ | 34.29cm
|
| Chain Stay Length (effective) |
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
16.75″ | 42.545cm
|
| ST |
45.2cm
|
45.2cm
|
45.2cm
|
45.2cm
|
| Head Tube Angle |
72 – 68
|
72 – 68
|
72 – 68
|
72 – 68
|
| Stand Over |
28″| 71.12cm
|
28″| 71.12cm
|
28″| 71.12cm
|
28″| 71.12cm
|
| BB Shell |
73mm
|
|||
| Seatpost |
31.6mm
|
|||
| Front Derailleur |
31.8mm
|
|||
| Headset |
1 1/8″
|
|||
| Chainline |
49-50mm
|
|||
| Rear Travel |
6″
|
|||
San Andreas DNA
The DNA was the second evolution of our legendary San Andreas platform.
It featured our Variable Position System, or ‘VPS’. This feature enabled the rider to choose between a 6″ and a 6.75″ travel option with the stock 7.5×2.0″ shock, or go for a 7″ and 7.75″ option with a longer shock.
The adjustable subframe assembly allowed the rider to adjust their seat angle for a custom cockpit feel.
As freeriding progressed so too did the bikes and components. Like the Shockwave, the San Andreas DNA came standard with QR dropouts and had optional 12mm thru axle dropouts available.
Monocoque forming technology yielded strength-to-weight ratios that were second to none. Every edge, arc and curve on our monocoque frame was engineered to enhance its performance as well as aesthetics. Monocoque design elements were blended with conventional tube technology to push performance to the next level.
