For which rider was a Specialized Stumpjumper modified around 1980 featuring a form of linkage up front?
Answer
Clif Sharp
Around 1980, racer Clif Sharp commissioned modifications to his Specialized Stumpjumper that included experimenting with a form of linkage incorporated into the front fork. These instances of one-off creations were often driven by racers seeking a competitive advantage in the nascent sport of off-road cycling. These custom builds reveal that the functional *need* for front suspension travel was recognized almost concurrently with rear suspension advancements, even though manufacturers and patent offices were often slow to catch up with fully integrated, commercially viable solutions.

#Videos
The First Mass Produced Full Suspension DH Bike - YouTube
Related Questions
What year did Lewis Evans create the frame-suspended 'Cushion Wheel' bicycle?Which inventor filed a patent in 1977 for a design focused on rear wheel linkage for off-road absorption?What was the name of Doug Bradbury’s bike, cited as the first full-suspension MTB available for purchase?How did the primary goal of the 1888 Cushion Wheel differ from early 1980s full-suspension MTBs?What type of rear suspension mechanism did Doug Bradbury's Manitou 1 feature?Which builder created the Greebie in 1982, marking further refinement in early 1980s full-suspension?Which major manufacturer introduced the full-suspension model named Mustang by the year 1983?What specific part of the bicycle was the focus of Clyde Staley’s 1977 off-road suspension patent?What engineering philosophy defined early 1980s MTBs concerning tire contact during impacts?For which rider was a Specialized Stumpjumper modified around 1980 featuring a form of linkage up front?What structural elements defined the frame of Lewis Evans’ 1888 Cushion Wheel bicycle?