As many of you know, the story starts in Anaheim, California, with CHUMBA founder Ted Tanouye, the son of a NASA aerospace engineer. In the 80s, when suspension mountain bikes were in their infancy, Ted was known as the kid who received a welding torch from his father as a Christmas present, and then use it on the neighborhood's kids bikes to make some of the first suspension bikes in existence. Ted went on to graduate from the University of Southern California where he studied mechanical engineering and accounting.
After college, he went on to open one of Southern California's premier high-end bicycle shops, the Bike Beat, in Fullerton, California. He carried some of the most innovative bikes of the time, including Mantis bikes - which were produced locally by Mountain Bike Action Editor Richard Cunningham. Ted continued to ride the Fullerton Loop - a trail network put together by MBA's editor and rode every Thursday evening by Ted and crew until this very day.
But, despite all of the retail success, the real story lied in what was going on in the back of the shop. CNC machines, welding tables, and other frame manufacturing equipment were producing bikes that were quickly producing a buzz among local riders. In this facility, Ted would begin to experiment with longer travel frames, and travel up to Big Bear, California, to ride, test, and compete with his designs. The results were excellent.
The first foray into the downhill market, the CHUMBA Zulu, quickly became internationally acclaimed, making the cover of mountain bike magazines, praised by editors worldwide, and attracting some of the best downhillers and freeriders in the country. Not long after, Ted assembled a team of future national and world champions - who would leave a permanent mark on the sport's race history. Lisa Sher, 2002 National DH Champion would represent Team CHUMBA to victories throughout the season.
Flanked by future 2x National champion Duncan Riffle, world champion Lars Tribus, and freeride legend Shaums March, Team CHUMBA left their mark on history. The red, white, and black were respected nationwide - as one industry insider put it, "a cottage gem" - frames built during the off-season to fund the true passion - racing to innovate and prove.
Team CHUMBA - handcrafted frames for the world's fastest riders
As time passed on, Ted began to experiment with full-suspension trail bikes in the 5" travel range to ride local Southern California trails with friends. However, he made them with the same frame-building techniques and philosophy that he used for his downhill fames. These ideas included keeping the bikes slack, quick handling, laterally stiff, durable, and above all, a supple fully active suspension. When the first trail bike, the XCL was sent out to Mountain Bike Action - the bike received one of the best reviews ever from the magazine to date. The reviewer emphatically stated it "could turn circles around any bikes out there" and praise it's "razor-sharp handling" and ability to "motor up" technical climbs. The review is available here: http://www.chumbaracing.com/images/mba_0607_chumba_xcl_review.pdf
Ted's second attempt into the all-mountain world, the six inch EVO, initially received mixed reviews when it was first released. Many critics said the frame was too "unconventional" looking, and questioned the engineering behind it. But several years later, the verdict arrived, the EVO would receive one of the highest user ratings on MTBR.com and win the coveted Best of MTBR award.
CHUMBA continued to produce trail bikes in-house in the Anaheim facility, but demand quickly outgrew supply. Subcontractors were used both in the United States and overseas; however, the decision where to produce was made strictly on quality without compromise.
Several years later, with the help of a dedicated and committed staff, CHUMBA improves everyday in all areas. Deep commitment from individuals in every area of the business, including mechanical engineers, sales and marketing reps, as well as shipping and bike assembly make up the organization we know as CHUMBA today. The racing heritage continues as 2x National Champion posted impressive results at the 2009 UCI World Cup aboard the CHUMBA F5 frame - newly revamped with a new linkage system, adjustable geometry, and other innovations.
Although Ted's contributions in beginning the company will always be acknowledged, current and past team mechanics, demo fleet managers, racers, customers, dealers, distributors, and operations personnel will always be credited for the growth and continuation of the CHUMBA legacy.
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