Mountain Biking - Can somebody explain the Horst Link to me?

I've seen this mentioned in a few threads so I did a search and came up dry. The term is thrown around but never explained beyond what type of setup it is. What I've gathered is that it is considered an 'active' type suspension and has very little bob while pedaling. I just want to know why.

Beau

http://www.titusti.com/techtalk_frmset.html

Horst Link
The "Horst Link" is probably the most over used and confused term in the world of full suspension. Most publications call any suspension frame that has a pivot near the rear drop-out a "Horst Link". The Horst-Link actually refers to a pivot that is both in front of and below the rear drop out. This pivot location allows the rear dropout to pivot forward as the suspension goes through its travel. When the dropout pivots forward, the chainstay length remains the same throughout the suspension's travel. This means that a frame with a properly designed Horst-Link will not "Bio- Pace" or have Drive Train Induced Shock Compression. The frame will be Fully-Active under all conditions. A frame that has the pivot above the rear dropout is not a Horst-Link because the dropout is not able to rotate as the suspension goes through its travel. True Horst-Links were originally used on strut style bikes, but can now be found on many different types of muti-link full suspension designs.

Now that you have become an expert on some of the terms that define the world of full suspension, it's time to break full suspension down into several categories and describe the basic attributes of each design.

Thanks for the link. That pretty much explains everything concerning FS bikes. Now I just wish I could fork over $1,700 for the Switchblade frame from Titus.

For another explanation and to see more affordable versions of this design click here:http://www.specialized.com/sbc4Bar.jsp?a=b

Specialized holds the patents and licenses it out to many other companies.

You can get a complete bike for just over a grand: http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=03RockhopperFSRComp&bl=mountain&my=2003

L8R

When I do go to full suspension I'll probably just buy a frame since I'm happy with the rest of my equipment. The frames alone are a grand on the specialized site. The RockHoppers frame is not available separately from what I saw.

Beau

Hey Beau,

Come over to Lakeland on Sunday for a ride! I'll let you ride my Intense which is a Horst Link rear end licensed from Specialized!

Frame Alone about $1800, but the more XC friendly model the Tracer is on sale in a lot of places for around $1,300. I think Supergo had them: http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?compflag=0&parentid=14589&company=Intense&secid=7559&subid=1818

L8R

That Intense looks like a really nice ride. I'm 5'3" with an equally low stand over hight, so if I can safely ride it then don't twist my arm or anything. I also posted to the thread about the trail ride in the "Mountain Biking" forum. Thanks for the offer to take your ride for a spin.

Beau

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
http://www.titusti.com/techtalk_frmset.html


Sweet linke thanx.

If you want to here it straight from the man himself, Horst Leitner, goto http://www.amp-research.com/about/history.htm

That's a very impressive history. AMP is responsible for a lot of things we take for granted.

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
For another explanation and to see more affordable versions of this design click here:http://www.specialized.com/sbc4Bar.jsp?a=b

Specialized holds the patents and licenses it out to many other companies.

You can get a complete bike for just over a grand: http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=03RockhopperFSRComp&bl=mountain&my=2003

L8R Heh! showin' off my new toy eh A2?

Just braggin for ya a bit!

L8R

**Edited: I read your posts in other threads.****Had to delete some comments

Let me know when you get your bike, we'll meet at Alafia and get it dirty!