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Retro Vibes, Modern Muscle: The YT x Manitou Collaboration Bike
Jul 14, 2025
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In a world where most bikes lean hard into the future, the YT Industries x Manitou collaboration dares to take a thrilling detour—straight into the past.
Or at least, it looks that way. With a bold nod to Manitou’s legendary 1990s design heritage, this custom build celebrates everything we love about MTB history—while riding on the very latest in performance tech.
Doddy’s Dream Build: A Retro-Mod Masterpiece
Helmed by Mondraker’s Global Comms Manager and mountain bike tech guru Andrew Dodd (a.k.a. Doddy of GMBN fame), the project brings a one-of-a-kind vision to life: a retro-mod enduro bike, blending the aesthetic soul of the 90s with the capabilities of today’s trail tech.
“I’m a self-confessed super fan of everything MTB, and have a bit of a penchant for the retro stuff,” Doddy explains in the Offroad.cc feature.
His inspiration? The original Manitou EFC DH fork, a lesser-seen icon of 90s MTB culture. Its industrial, machined look left an impression on Doddy that still lingers decades later.
“One of the single best-looking products of all time was the original Manitou suspension fork, designed by Doug Bradbury.”
After a deep conversation with the team at Manitou, the idea of a retro-mod collab was born—and it quickly evolved into something truly special.
Manitou, Reimagined: Mezzer Pro & Mara Pro with a Vintage Twist
At the heart of the build is the Manitou Mezzer Pro fork and Mara Pro rear shock—two high-performance pieces of modern suspension engineering, custom-painted to match the retro styling of the original EFC fork.
“That fork is one of the single most impressive bits of paintwork I’ve ever seen,” says Doddy, praising the artistry of Ali and Bex from Fat Creations. “I was with them for the whole process, and even did a little airbrushing myself.”
The result? A seamless blend of art and function—an homage to a bygone era, built with precision for the trails of today.
Doddy’s Dream Build: A Retro-Mod Masterpiece
Helmed by Mondraker’s Global Comms Manager and mountain bike tech guru Andrew Dodd (a.k.a. Doddy of GMBN fame), the project brings a one-of-a-kind vision to life: a retro-mod enduro bike, blending the aesthetic soul of the 90s with the capabilities of today’s trail tech.
“I’m a self-confessed super fan of everything MTB, and have a bit of a penchant for the retro stuff,” Doddy explains in the Offroad.cc feature.
His inspiration? The original Manitou EFC DH fork, a lesser-seen icon of 90s MTB culture. Its industrial, machined look left an impression on Doddy that still lingers decades later.
“One of the single best-looking products of all time was the original Manitou suspension fork, designed by Doug Bradbury.”
After a deep conversation with the team at Manitou, the idea of a retro-mod collab was born—and it quickly evolved into something truly special.
Manitou, Reimagined: Mezzer Pro & Mara Pro with a Vintage Twist
At the heart of the build is the Manitou Mezzer Pro fork and Mara Pro rear shock—two high-performance pieces of modern suspension engineering, custom-painted to match the retro styling of the original EFC fork.
“That fork is one of the single most impressive bits of paintwork I’ve ever seen,” says Doddy, praising the artistry of Ali and Bex from Fat Creations. “I was with them for the whole process, and even did a little airbrushing myself.”
The result? A seamless blend of art and function—an homage to a bygone era, built with precision for the trails of today.
Legacy in Every Component: The Hayes Bicycle Group Origins
This project doesn’t just celebrate Manitou’s story—it nods to the legacy of the entire Hayes Bicycle Group, a collection of brands that helped write the first chapters of mountain biking.ProTaper: The handlebar that started it all. From motocross to mountain bikes, ProTaper set the benchmark early on for strength, weight, and ergonomics—and continues to lead with its clean aesthetic and rider-first design.
Hayes: The inventors of the hydraulic disc brake for MTB. Not only did Hayes pioneer the concept, but they also helped shape the standards that define braking systems today—from rotor sizes to fluid dynamics.
Reynolds: Among the first to engineer carbon fiber wheels for cycling, Reynolds has been at the front of innovation for both road and MTB. Their contributions range from aerodynamic shaping to advanced layup schedules that still define the high-end wheel market.
This YT x Manitou retro build is more than just a visual throwback—it’s a showcase of the brands that helped create mountain biking in the first place, now reborn with precision, polish, and performance for the modern era.
Built to Ride, Built to Remember
Built on a YT Capra (a subtle nod to German rider Jürgen Beneke, who piloted the original Manitou builds), the bike features 170mm travel, 29-inch wheels, and is dressed to the nines with:5Dev titanium cranks – futuristic yet vintage-inspired
Reynolds wheels – carbon strength with decades of racing DNA
Hayes Dominion brakes – world-class stopping power, built on a legacy
ProTaper silver-and-black cockpit – clean, fast, and timeless
And yes, every inch of it is finished with custom paintwork that channels the wild spirit of the 90s—from the metallic fleck in the black base coat to the flag graphics that echo the original EFC builds.
Where Then Meets Now
This project is a living, rolling tribute to the roots of MTB. A celebration of where we came from—and how far we’ve come. It’s a love letter to riders who remember the first suspension forks and the thrill of early freeride, and an invitation to a new generation to experience that legacy through a modern lens.
This project doesn’t just celebrate Manitou’s story—it nods to the legacy of the entire Hayes Bicycle Group, a collection of brands that helped write the first chapters of mountain biking.
This YT x Manitou retro build is more than just a visual throwback—it’s a showcase of the brands that helped create mountain biking in the first place, now reborn with precision, polish, and performance for the modern era.
Built to Ride, Built to Remember
Built on a YT Capra (a subtle nod to German rider Jürgen Beneke, who piloted the original Manitou builds), the bike features 170mm travel, 29-inch wheels, and is dressed to the nines with:
And yes, every inch of it is finished with custom paintwork that channels the wild spirit of the 90s—from the metallic fleck in the black base coat to the flag graphics that echo the original EFC builds.
Where Then Meets Now
This project is a living, rolling tribute to the roots of MTB. A celebration of where we came from—and how far we’ve come. It’s a love letter to riders who remember the first suspension forks and the thrill of early freeride, and an invitation to a new generation to experience that legacy through a modern lens.
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