All-New Jamis 3VO Suspension design by Chris Currie promises perfect performance

With the Sea Otter Classic rapidly approaching, some brands are already showing their hand. Hoping to get the news out in front of crowd, and attract people to their booth, Jamis has taken the wraps off their latest project – and it’s a doozy. Chris Currie has been working on his patented suspension system for year, but it’s finally coming to fruition with the two newest bikes from Jamis. Called 3VO or Three Variable Optimized, the design claims to deliver true superbike performance for both the new Portal and Hardline.

Apparently, what sets 3VO apart from other designs is the fact that this designs projects an instant center that’s behind the bottom bracket and aligned with the chainline. Many dual link bikes instead project the instant center (or point where straight lines through the pivot locations of dual links intersect) forward of the bottom bracket. This doesn’t allow the instant center to continuously align with the chainline like the 3VO system, which is supposedly what makes 3VO superior. The result is a bike that claims better efficiency, faster reaction, and all without relying on specific gear combos, sags, shock tunes, and without input from braking.

WHAT MAKES 3VO SO EFFICIENT?

• Unique instant center, center of curvature and axle path consistently eliminate unwanted motion when pedaling, regardless of position within travel or gear combination
• Lower, rearward moving instant center allows for high anti-squat with less chain growth to eliminate pedal kickback
• Tuned multi-phase leverage ratio with initial rising rate for added pedaling stability
• Consistent, balanced anti-squat and anti-dive cancels pedaling and braking forces

WHAT MAKES 3VO SO RESPONSIVE?

• Multi-phase leverage ratio combines both rising and falling rate for quicker impact response
• Axle path and leverage ratio tuned to work together to keep the system active even when pedaling
• Short distance from suspension instant center to rear axle for instant response
• Virtual pivot location stays aligned with driveline, allowing  suspension to remain active at every stage of travel
• Initial rearward axle path allows the bike to be supple on small bumps and square edge hits
  

For its initial debut, 3VO will be found on two bikes starting with the 130mm 29/27.5+ Portal…

And the 160mm travel 27.5″/26+ Hardline. Jamis mentions that both bikes will be available first as aluminum models late this summer, while carbon versions will arrive likely in early 2019. Stay tuned for more coverage at Sea Otter.

jamisbikes.com