Seven Cycles and Dave Weagle, inventor of the patented DW-Link and the new Split Pivot rear dropout design you see above (click to enlarge), have teamed up to develop a new full suspension mountain bike.
The new rig will use the internationally patented Split Pivot design which, to be honest, looks similar to Trek’s ABP system that’s been on the Fuel, Fuel EX, Remedy, Scratch and Session since as early as 2008. Weagle’s patent, however, predates Trek’s design, and indeed the tech-specific website shows it having been available for licensing as early as 2007.
Seven, which offers fully custom bicycles, will build the Split Pivot and suspension design into the bike taking the rider’s weight, center of gravity, height, riding style and other measurements and considerations. Riders will have a choice of wheel size (29er?!? We’ll confirm) and suspension travel from a series of bikes offered with this design. Interestingly, the Split Pivot design seems to be offered separately from the DW Link that’s proven popular on bikes from Turner, Pivot, Independent Fab and others. UPDATE: That’s because the DW-Link design is a URT with no rear pivot near the axles. Thanks to Greg for the info!
“To us, this is exciting because we’re designing the suspension feel for each rider as an integrated element of the entire bike and rider combination,†said Rob Vandermark, president of Watertown, Massachusetts-based Seven Cycles. “When we started this project, we looked at different suspension options. Dave’s experience and reputation for developing technologies such as DW-Link and Split Pivot made him the only choice.â€Â
“Working with Seven and their unique design and manufacturing resources has been a rewarding experience for me, one unlike any other project I’ve worked on before,†said Weagle. “To collaborate in a situation where the skills are so complementary is very satisfying, and I think riders will be amazed with the results.â€Â
More tech pics after the break…
