Sour Bikes are due to release their very first full suspension mountain bike, the latest prototype of which was shown at the 2022 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show at Lee Valley Velodrome, London. The 152mm linkage-driven single pivot is named the Double Choc.
Last time we set eyes on it, the rear wheel travel was limited to 143mm, but the bike has evolved significantly since, now a more versatile rig able to accept a 55mm stroke shock for 152mm travel (as shown), or a 50mm shock for 134mm. The linkage can also be tweaked for mullet-compatibility and two different geometry settings. Designer, Christoph Süße, gave us an update.
Sour Double Choc Enduro Bike
- Bike: Sour Double Choc
- Intention: Trail or Enduro
- Wheel Size: 29″, or Mixed (29″ Front, 27.5″ Rear)
- Fork Travel: 160mm or 140mm
- Rear Wheel Travel: 152mm or 134mm
- Frame Material: Steel
- Frame Sizes: S, M , L & XL
- Price: €2,000 for a frame w/o shock
The new Sour Double Choc is intended to run 152mm travel with a 160mm fork in its enduro configuration, or 134mm travel with a 140mm fork in its trail configuration. This is achieved by altering the shock’s stroke length to limit rear wheel travel, while using the same eye-to-eye length so that the bike’s geometry remains unaffected. Note the short link that connects the swingarm to the rocker; this allows the 29er to be converted to a mullet, by switching it out for a different aftermarket link.
While the Double Choc was originally planned as a complete 29er only, Christoph told us it was important to him that Sour was able to offer a size small. To do that in a satisfactory fashion, he knew it would be necessary to allow for use of a 27.5″ rear wheel.
The alternative short link permits use of a 27.5″ rear wheel without resulting in a ridiculously low bottom bracket that would otherwise be brought about by the much lower rear axle height. Of course, the mullet option is also available for the M, L and XL sizes, too. At checkout, the customer will be able to specify their preferred wheel size configuration for the bike to be shipped with the correct short link, with the option to purchase the alternative link aftermarket for €65 if they feel the need to change it up.
The Double Choc features a CNC machined brake mount, two options of which are available. Again, the customer can decide whether they want the 7″ or 8″ brake mount for a 180mm or 203mm rotor, respectively, so they don’t need to use an adapter.
Though Sour has moved all production from Taiwan to Saxony, near their HQ in Dresden, they still fabricate their frames from Taiwanese steel. This is because they are still a relatively low volume manufacturer, so sourcing steel from Taiwan gives them better options for custom-butted tubesets. While the welding and brazing goes on in Saxony, the bending of the seat tube and downtube is outsourced to a two-man workshop next door to Sour’s Dresden HQ.
While some of the pivots on the Double Choc shown at Bespoked were home to double-row bearings, Christoph feels this was overkill as the diameter is sufficiently large enough to allow for decent durability. Thus, the production bike will feature fewer bearings and be a little lighter as a result. Christoph is aiming for a frame weight of 3.8kg (without shock) for the size large.
Pricing & Availability
The Sour Double Choc will retail at around €2,000 for the frame without the shock, and will be available to order come the second quarter of 2023.
