Cortina Cycles
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Founder | Raul Cortina and family |
| Headquarters | Santa Barbara , United States |
Area served | Mexico, United States |
Key people | Esteban Cortina, Daniel Cortina, Adrian Cortina |
| Products | Bicycle frames (including mountain bike frames, BMX, tandem bicycles) |
Cortina Cycles was a manufacturer of bicycle frames located in Santa Barbara, California. Established in 1955 by Raul Cortina and his family in Mexico City, the firm produced frames for renowned Italian marques such as Bennotto and Gios. The business expanded its reach by opening factory outlets throughout Mexico and later entered the U.S. market during the 1990s, led by Raul's son, Esteban Cortina. Esteban, along with his brothers Daniel and Adrian—both accomplished professional cyclists—developed mountain bike frames. By 1994, Cortina had become one of the pioneers in creating a downhill frame featuring 8 inches of rear suspension travel, offering a diverse lineup ranging from BMX to tandem bicycles.
Technological innovations
- Semi-Parallel Linkage on the DHExtreme-8: This mechanism enables vertical movement of the rear triangle instead of the traditional pivot around the bottom bracket, resulting in improved alignment of the rear wheel.
- Fully Floating Linkage System: Incorporated into models like the Joyride and Europa-FS, this variant of a 4-bar linkage delivers progressive suspension characteristics with a shock absorber that remains unattached to the fixed frame, thereby increasing suspension firmness as compression intensifies.
- 12 mm Thru-Axle with Adjustable Wheelbase: Featured on bicycles such as the DHExtreme-8 and Europa DS, this axle design allows for a one-inch adjustable horizontal wheelbase to customize handling dynamics. It also includes replaceable mounts for disc brakes and derailleur hangers to enhance component longevity.
External links
- Archived DHExtreme-8 Review at Mountain Bike Action (2000) via Wayback Machine
- Cortina Team Profile at SponsorHouse.com
- Cortina Frame Reviews at Mountain Bike Review (mtbr.com)