Bender is the Godfather of true Freeriding. Say what you want, but he must be acknowledged as such. He pushed the limits what could be ridden (hit or miss.) Dropping in and off on his Karpeil is nothing like it would be on the bikes today. Sure he crashed a lot. But that bike just wasn't up to what he was pushing it to do. Karpeil should have named a bike after him. It's amazing he walked away alive and not permanently injured.
One of the bravest stuntmen ever - brought a lot of prestige and sheer wonder to the world of MTB. I mean that bike alone stops you dead in your tracks. I have never seen one like it. Just got back from northern Italy - they got some very fancy MTBs, but nothing remotely like Bender's.
@@michaellutz7081 from his crashes video, it looked like what got him all the time was the rebound. It's be cool to seen him do these drops on newer tech
The thing is that because he was the pioneer of huge drops he was basically making it up as he went along. He's the one who showed it was possible so others could learn from it and do it better, he's the one who forced the industry to make better equipment that could handle the things he wanted to do.
I read somewhere today that Bender died in a car crash? Can anybody verify this for me. Growing up this guy was my idol and I know for a fact im not alone there.... Hoping it isn't true??
Fear not, he's alive and well and just living the quiet life for a change. Have a look at www.singletrackworld.com and search for their article about him.
