Vote: Specialized Stunt Jumper vs Raleigh Burner
It’s that time of the week again when Judge Jon Bentley runs his rule over two of the most iconic gadgets in history. This week it’s bikes, and there can only be two fighting for that hallowed slot: the Specialized Stunt Jumper vs the Raleigh Burner!
The Specialized Stunt Jumper didn’t just start some craze – it was the first mass-produced mountain bike, and it was the beginning of a mass movement! In 1981 the Stunt Jumper came about: it was made from chromalloy steel, had 15 gears and no suspension. And in less than a year, pretty much every bike manufacturer started creating mountain bikes! The original’s even got a place in the world’s largest museum complex. How’s that for iconic?
The Raleigh Burner, meanwhile, might not have been the first BMX or even the best, but it was the most iconic. The worldwide craze started in 1971, and the Raleigh Burner arrived pretty late to the BMX party with five distinct models (from the basic to the Pro Burner!). They each had 20-inch wheels, V bars and no gears. They were for those with no fear. Selling half a million in the first two years alone, the Raleigh Burner is the most iconic BMX ever!
But is it the most iconic bike? Which ride impressed Judge JB the most? Was it Ortis’ Stunt Jumper or Jason’s Raleigh Burner? Find out in the video above!
Don’t agree? Then have your say in the poll below…
User comments (11)
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lynch144208 September 2009
Raleigh Burner, what a BMX legend!!!!!
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Andrew A08 September 2009
Yes the Raleigh Mag Burner is an icon from the 1980's. Its only an icon for the following reasons. The blue frame and yellow Skyway Tuffs turned heads on the streets. Many of these bikes were stolen because of the wheels, but hang on a minute, as an avid BMXer from the 1980's the Burner range was a bit of a let down on the track. The only Burner worth its salt was the Pro Burner. All the remaining burners had the same frame, albeit painted and tarted up with a different spec of components pending on your top price you were willing to pay. These were suited to the masses on the streets and having ridden the Burner range they were useless on the track. Raleigh only made it big with the Burners when they bought in Andy Ruffell to race them. And'y bike was not the run of the mill Pro Burner either. Still lets not forget the Mag Burner is an icon from the 1980's and a bit of a collectors item.
Report as inappropriateurbanAir BMX09 September 2009
Thanks very much for the challenge with the Raleigh Burner and Specialised MTB. it brought back loads of great memories for lots of us, and even at nearly 40yrs old we are still bmxing! Jason you have become a bit of a hero now, after doing such a good job riding the tiny old-school burner, fantastic programme and entertainment!
Report as inappropriateMark09 September 2009
I think Otis missed a point here. The Spesh MTB has since gone through many tech revisions to it's current carbon fibre quad linked "brain technology" full suspension guise. What have bmx transended to apart from a few material changes? It's just a small rigid frame with no gears!
Report as inappropriatecondo15 September 2009
I was shocked when the Burner was put onto the wall, Raleigh and all their products are a disgrace. They are one of the most insignificant, cheap, and unreliable manufacturers in the business. To even be put it up against the Specialized is an insult in my eyes; you may as well take the Burner across Mike Sinyard’s face. The Burner was only popular because of its stand out paint job; ‘all show and no go’ is a phrase that springs to mind, the quality of the bike was appalling. Specialized is one of, if not the largest and influential company in the industry and mountain biking would not exist without them and the Stunt Jumper, where the world of BMX on the other hand, probably would have benefited without the Burner.
Report as inappropriateIan16 September 2009
I had NEVER heard of the Rally Burner until I saw it on the Gadget Show!!! I never owned a bmx bike but I did own a mountain bike. I think more people took up mountain biking than bmx biking, therefore I would have put the Stunt Jumper on the wall of fame!
Report as inappropriatecarling22 September 2009
Having read the comments below about raleigh being a rubbish product i have to disagree. Being a collector of classic raleigh grifters i can tell you they were well made and stood the test of time. How many bikes are still going strong after over 33 years! I have original bikes that still work perfectly. The specialized Stumpjumper is and always will be an excellent bike but you cant rearly compare it with a burner as they are totally different bikes. I think its great that the classic raleigh bike is still alive and kicking. 4737carling.
Report as inappropriateronnie brain06 October 2009
For a start people its STUMPJUMPER not stunt!...if you are even going to bother to compare things then at least get your facts correct!. And there is no way on earth a spesh even compares to the Burner...long live the Burner!
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