Tech update – June 20, 2002

Edited by John Stevenson

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Specialized's new suspension design

Specialized's Epic suspension design

In partnership with nearby suspension specialist Fox Racing, Specialized has developed a new rear suspension system that the company claims eliminates pedal-induced suspension movement.

According to a report on the website of industry bible Bicycle Retailer, the design of the new Epic mountain bike line uses a four-bar linkage similar to Specialized's current FSR suspension designs, but with the rear shock positioned inside the rear triangle between the dropout and the top pivot.

Specialized founder and president Mike Sinyard said, "Four years ago we wanted a bike that could automatically sense the terrain, whether it was smooth or rough, and that has been the Holy Grail of mountain biking."

To achieve this aim, Fox Racing's Bob Fox has come up with a valving system dubbed The Brain that sits in a separate cylinder above the rear wheel. When an inertial valve in the cylinder detects axle movement it allows the shock to move.

Epic frames and forks are slated to be available soon, with complete bikes being introduced for model year 2003 in August. US prices will be in the $2,400 to over $4,000 range

Fox also has several other new products in development, including a downhill-specific rear shock with an optional titanium spring for the very deep of pocket, and a remote lockout lever for dual suspension bikes that will lock both ends of the bike in one go.

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