Tested: Bionicon Edison LTD

WHAT:Bionicon Edison
WHERE:bionicon.com
HOW MUCH: $3,330

After surviving oval chainrings, thermoplastic wheels and brake levers masquerading as shifters, mountain bikers are right to be skeptical of the “next big thing.” So when German manufacturer Bionicon showed up with the Edison LTD, we played wait and see.

The 29-pound Edison uses a synchronized front-and-rear travel adjust to offer on-the-fly geometry tweaks. All that adjustment is distilled to a single handlebar-mounted button that controls air pressure between front and rear suspension. Lean forward and push the button to compress the fork (from 150 to 70 millimeters) and extend the rear shock, steepening both head tube and seat-tube angles for better climbing. Lean back and push the button to drop the rear end and extend the fork and you’re ready to point the bike down grades you couldn’t fathom in the bike’s alter-ego XC mode. The little black button puts any bike you want at your fingertips, and it begs to be used constantly.

Surprisingly, none of the bike’s multiple personalities felt forced. I never knew downhill geometry would be so useful on local trails, which are too short to merit hiking in a DH sled. The cheap-looking dropouts and lack of rebound adjustment on the bike’s dual-crown fork raised some suspicion, but it felt much more agile than I’d thought possible. A rebound adjust cartridge is available aftermarket, but the fork felt fine without it. So it works, but for how long? For such a far-out concept it’s all fairly simple, shop serviceable and easier to fix than a disc brake line. And it’s all covered by a two-year warranty. Such practical innovations have kept Bionicon converting skeptics since 2001. I’m not ready to call it the next big thing, but I’m not ready to give the bike back either.