Why High-pivot?
Our High-Pivot Suspension Platform: Explained
Here at Deviate, we like to do things a little differently - hence our name. We are fully committed to the benefits of high-pivot suspension, because we think it’s the best suspension design around for the type of mountain bikes we design.
We’d like to explain why.
More Travel isn’t always better
Due to the nature of our high pivot suspension platform, the travel numbers you see on paper are often exceeded in terms of ride feel on the trail. Often referred to as a ‘bottomless’ feel, our Highlander II and Claymore both strike what we believe is the perfect balance between plushness and responsiveness, thanks to the meticulously positioned idler wheel.
What makes idlers and high pivots ideal?
First of all, let’s look at the high pivot itself. It comprises of a meticulously placed pivot point that sits above the chainring and with this comes a rearward axle path, in short resulting in the bike lengthening through it’s travel. Due to this, an ‘idler wheel’ is required to sit above the chainring too as this essentially eliminates the pedal kickback generated by the lengthening of the bike (chain).
Essentially, the wheel moves in a rearward path, and echos the direction of the incoming hit. This gives the suspension more time to compress, letting the damper do its work. On a conventional bike, with a lower pivot, the wheel moves more vertically, so there is a component of the impact force that is pushing you backwards and trying to stretch the chainstays. Basically, high pivots help to stop the suspension from getting hooked up on square-edged hits, producing superior suspension performance through the chunk.
It is also possible, depending on the pivot placement, to dial in more anti-rise, which is the bike’s innate ability to resist extension under braking (so-called brake jack), and keep the suspension supple. And that rearward axle path, coupled with the anti-rise can also help to keep the wheelbase constant. We believe that we have struck the ideal balance between these variables, giving a supportive yet supple suspension platform right out of the box.
But What are the benefits?
Virtually no pedal kickback whilst riding, making for a more confidence inspiring ride feel
A rearward axle path, allowing the bike to extend and manoeuvre around square-edge hits resulting in maintained speed
Geometry conservation under braking, keeping you in the correct riding position and allowing you to takle any obstacle thrown at you
Pedal kickback
In most suspension designs, as you extend the suspension through its travel, the chain stays lengthen, to a greater or lesser extent. When pedalling, this exerts a force on the chain, which pulls on the chainring. The rider can feel this as the pedals ‘kicking’ underneath them. Conversely, if you stamp on the pedals, you’ll stiffen the suspension up.
As you can imagine, when riding rough terrain pedal kickback can quickly become an unwelcomed riding characteristic. So, we designed our suspension platform to essentially eradicate this quirk, leaving you with a planted yet active suspension when called upon.
Geometry Conservation
Ben Jones, Deviate co-founder, expands:
“The Highlander has around 127% anti-rise, which means the suspension compresses slightly under braking. This results in a more stable geometry, because there is a reduced weight transfer to the front wheel, so you don’t get nearly as much front wheel dive - and you can therefore run a little less low speed front damping. You do lose some small bump sensitivity under braking, as there is more load on the shock, and you need to overcome this ‘preload’ before the suspension moves - but this is a small price to pay in a small aspect of suspension performance when compared to the huge benefits everywhere else.”
The best of the best
Of course, all this attention to detail in the suspension department is echoed across the rest of our range. We’ve made sure that the bike is truly one of the most exceptional, well-thought out machines on the market.
We don’t wish to brag, but we think that our top-quality carbon frames are some of the best available and we’re not alone after being nominated for the best mountain bike of 2022 by Pinkbike with the Claymore also being their ‘Enduro Race Bike of Choice 2022’. From huge standover, to grease ports and twin slipped seals on all bearings and linkage parts, our overall design and geometry is carefully thought out - modern, but balanced - to keep the ride poppy and fun, whilst making it planted when you’re giving it some beans.
