Instead of focusing on one video for pure entertainment, this week is all about education. We hear a lot of fluff about suspension designs, but what differentiates them from each other? Here is a collection of videos explaining various suspension designs, from Yeti’s Switch Technology to Dave Weagle explaining his Split Link design.
It seems like suspension designs can’t exist without the marketing speak to explain them, and while some of these videos are just that, they still show the actual suspension doing its thing and exactly how it works. So if you, like me, don’t actually understand most of the suspension systems out there and what actually sets them apart, explore the videos below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjwuynHwGI
Jose Gonzalez, Trek Bicycle’s Director of Suspension explains Trek’s Floating suspension design. For some reason Trek decided to take a blast to the past and record the video on a 90’s camcorder. Either way, it’s less fluff and more actual information.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ArzOLwOUvo
Niner CVA Suspension
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1ie2UfWx0
This video may have no volume, but it shows perfectly how braking and pedalling forces affect suspension designs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJeARx8pYLA
Dave Weagle explains his Split Link design on Devinci bikes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_4Lj3j3FJY
Another Dave Weagle suspension design, this time explained by the guys at Ibis with their Ibis Ripley.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8xyfrYnd9Y
A very short demonstration of the three platforms that Santa Cruz designed, though APP is no longer offered. Which is a shame, because it looks like it works wonderfully.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc_n9HWUFfM
Another silent film, this one shows Lapierre’s Pendbox. I couldn’t tell you what all the arrows mean, but the design looks awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OVyHA6HhAs
Yeti’s very capable Switch Suspension explained with a fair smattering of marketing fluff and brand bolstering. Pretty cool to see the frame getting put together though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nGoqF7CNR8
GT’s Independent Drivetrain Technology explained and also compared to other designs with diagrams showing GT’s apparent superiority. There’s a fair amount of fluff, but some really good technical information too.
Great POST !!!! Thanks for the info!