At Sea Otter two years ago, Spot Brand unveiled the Rollik, their first full suspension bike with a unique design. It used a flexing carbon fiber plate rather than a proper lower linkage, which is not only lighter, but also eliminates a pivot point and keeps the bike’s rear end much stiffer. Or, more precisely, resisted torsional flex between the front and rear end better than a second set of bearings and axle could. Then, at last year’s event, they introduced their second bike with the Living Link design, the Spot Mayhem 29er. Now, with the all new Spot Rollik 607, they’re adding more travel and the ability to run bigger 27.5×2.6 tires while also improving the overall design. Here’s how they did it:
Up front is a stout head tube section, helping the steering end live up to the rear’s stiffness. Shifting and dropper lines run internally, the brake hose stays on the outside.
The heart of the design is the leaf spring-like Living Link, which connects the lower half of the rear triangle to the front, and imbues its own characteristics on the wheel path and suspension feel. For more on what it actually does, check out this post.
A threaded bottom bracket should also make you happy.
The frame is made with Oxeon’s TexTreme carbon fiber, a premium carbon that’s lighter and stiffer than run of the mill stuff, and also very impact resistant. This makes the frameset price of $2,899 (with shock) seem more reasonable. Complete bikes run from $4,599 to $7,699. Your choice of matte black or this matte hot tomato red.
Spot x Allied Cycle Works Allroad Gravel Bike
If you like this Hot Tomato color as much as Spot’s sensibilities, then check out this limited edition Spot x Allied Cycle Works Allroad gravel bike. The frame and fork are the same as you can get from Allied, but the build spec and paint were chosen by Spot to suit their wants and needs.
If it’s only the color you want, grab a frameset for $3,899. Or get a complete bike with either SRAM Force 1 or Force 22, depending on whether you want that front derailleur. Both come with ENVE SES 3.4 aero road rims, full ENVE carbon cockpit, Industry Nine hubs, and Schwalbe G-One tires. Retail is $7,999 either way.