Mountain Biking - Oh No...It Can't Be!

I saw a rather desturbing flyer the other day. It was a Canadian Tire flyer, and there was a picture of a Raleigh bike for 349.99 (CAD) with a four bar linkage rear suspension system. Now, i got confused. First of all, Raleigh is a reputible bike company, and I don't know why they are being sold at Canadian Tire. Does this mean Raleigh is making ultra cheap X-Mart bikes now? I mean, come on, i have never seen a bike with 4 bar linkage for sale less then 600$ (CAD). If this wasent bad enough, i saw a SuperCycle with 4 bar linkage for sale for 299.99$ I don't know...i just...don't know :(

(here is the Raleigh i was talking about)
http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443250645&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374302209441&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374302432155&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374302741447&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302741447&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395348027&bmUID=1081568157825

its like evrything else. the y frame was the first thing out and then after a while the x-mart bikes where using that system aswell

In order to be a true 4 bar you need the horst linkage otherwise you simply have 4 bars that activates in a very similar way to a single pivot. Even Kona seperates itself by callings its design 4 bar walking beam linkage (used to be called a rocker bar). Decent design, but no patents and nothing all that special in the engineering side of things. Thats why they can replicate it at no cost. Would be interesting to feel the design with a horst linkage...wonder how much it would be to one off a horst rear triangle hmmmm

You will also notice the pivots are way off and the design is very strange. Funny that it only comes in one size too :D

In order to be a true 4 bar you need the horst linkage otherwise you simply have 4 bars that activates in a very similar way to a single pivot. Even Kona seperates itself by callings its design 4 bar walking beam linkage (used to be called a rocker bar). Decent design, but no patents and nothing all that special in the engineering side of things. Thats why they can replicate it at no cost. Would be interesting to feel the design with a horst linkage...wonder how much it would be to one off a horst rear triangle hmmmm

You will also notice the pivots are way off and the design is very strange. Funny that it only comes in one size too :D

Oh no it comes in two adult sizes... the raleigh, 18 and 20", I'd need a childs 16" LOL

I must be a Schmuck!! Ive owned a Mongoose, (BMX 20 years ago) and a both a Raleigh BMX & MTB, a GT.... Could it be that Im the jinx? LOL

Does this mean Raleigh is making ultra cheap X-Mart bikes now? They have been for quite a while now.

To further expound on Mael's answer. It is a four-bar, but it's not a Horst four-bar. With the rear pivot located on the seatstay versus the chain stay, this bike will produce what is known as "brake-jack" when descending and braking, the rear suspension "jacks up" and stiffens. The LAST thing you want to have happen in this situation.

Also, the beauty of a Horst Four-bar (thing Specialized BTW) is that the suspension is fully active even while pedaling, so regardless of what you are doing (climbing descending, drinking beer at the car) the suspension will respond to bumps.

The other won't. (i.e., remember the brake-jack situ.)

L8R

Yea, Next makes those POS "four-bar linkages", which break after a 2 ft drop.

Yea, Next makes those POS "four-bar linkages", which break after a 2 ft drop.Try 2 inches

^ Ha!! it's funny cause it's true...:)