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This story initially appeared on GearJunkie
After a painstaking design marathon, the self-proclaimed ‘hardtail model’ rolls out its first three full-suspension rigs.
In British Columbia, Canada, Chromag spent years growing its signature hardtail mountain bikes — after which began filling in its product array with garments and elements.
As the whole freeride and downhill world across the firm in Whistler went absolutely suspended, the concept of creating a suspended bike crossed the thoughts of its brass a number of occasions. However its builders and product builders by no means had time to get the job finished — till now.
In a Dec. 12 announcement, Chromag showcased its first-ever full-suspension bike lineup. The Darco and Darco Ti (titanium counterpart) 29ers launch now with 150mm of entrance journey and 120 rear. The burly Lowdown, constructed for the most important drops, is available in at 170/158mm, additionally on 29s. It’s set for takeoff in spring 2023.
The model began enjoying with the concept of a suspended bike in 2012. That yr, it constructed a working prototype on a “strong” single pivot platform. Two years of testing adopted, however the firm realized an inside useful resource deficiency would cease it wanting delivering the bike to the general public.
“By the point the prototype was made, we realized simply how a lot additional we’d must go to get a correct full suspension program off the bottom,” Chromag stated. “[W]hile the concept of manufacturing full suspension bikes is fairly thrilling, we realized that we merely didn’t have the capability to go down that path.”
The three new bikes exist as a result of Chromag reviving that design course of in 2018. Why did the completed product take so lengthy to come back collectively? As a result of, like the remainder of its lineup, Chromag spared no expense in design and manufacturing. Deliberately designing and manufacturing many of the three builds in-house got here with a time penalty.
(Picture/Chromag)
The learn-by-doing method produced many iterations of frames, {hardware} assemblies, welding jigs, pivot areas, and fabrication strategies, the corporate stated.
For the Darco, the method resulted in a motorbike formed like Chromag’s hardtails by way of geometry. The 150/120 all-rounder has a metal and aluminum body with a comparatively slack head angle (64 levels) and a steep seat angle (78 levels). A reasonably lengthy attain — 490mm on medium and huge sizes — combines with the geometry to advertise agility for climbs and stability for descents.
The corporate additionally carried over its choice for metal frames however specified 6066 aluminum chainstays to avoid wasting weight, enhance stiffness within the again finish, and higher home bearings. Recognizing aluminum’s strength-to-weight ratio superiority over metal, Chromag additionally cast the rocker from it.
Sturdiness and serviceability additionally performed focal roles within the Darco’s design. The principle pivot makes use of an increasing collet axle system to cut back bearing stress—the target: a important pivot that spins smoother for longer. And Chromag makes its sealed Enduro MAX bearings available to assist ease the alternative course of.
A Chromag-machined common derailleur hanger (UDH) accomplishes basically the identical factor.
The Darco’s componentry contains Rockshox suspension and seat put up, a SRAM GX Eagle gearset and G2 RSC brakes, and Maxxis Minion tires. Chromag just about handles the remaining.
The Darco’s pivot and shock particulars; (picture/Chromag)The Darco retails at $5,857, and the Ti checks in at $7,722. The Lowdown — constructed, spec’d, and sized equally to the Darco however with its beefier 170/158 suspension and tweaked, downhill geometry — runs $6,201 MSRP.
The DH-focused Lowdown; (picture/Chromag)Examine all of it out at Chromag’s web site.
