News: Sorta Cutting Edge News, Sep 24

Interbike is just around the corner, companies are beginning to get loose and lippy about their new products. I've got pictures and details of new Giant, Trek and Kona bikes—oh my! What else? You too can buy a bike company and drugs are everywhere, but who's responsible?

GIANT'S NEW SUSPENSION PLATFORM
The lab coat guys at Giant have apparently been a busy bunch of beavers. Today we received a parcel of info on their new Maestro line of bikes. Maestro is essentially the buzzword for an entirely new suspension format. Without having thrown a leg over any of these bikes, I'm not fit to get into specifics, but I can tell you that it's basically a variant on the increasingly popular floating pivot point design and that, accordingly, the emphasis here is on efficient pedaling. The Maestro design will be used on three different model lines:

Trance: 4-inch cross-country bike, somewhere in the 26 pound range, $1,200 to $3,400;
Reign: 6-inch all-mountain bike, around 28 pounds, $1,600 to $3,300; &
Faith: 8-inch travel downill/freeride rig, around 40 pounds, $2,000 to $3,500.

Here is the quick review of the Maestro suspension technology. Strategically positioned pivot points create a floating axis, or floating pivot point, that increases pedal efficiency by counteracting pedaling forces that would otherwise create suspension compression, or pedal-bob, while at the same time increasing suspension sensitivity even under harsh braking so there's no loss in braking power. The more sensitive the suspension, the better the traction, or "wheel hook up," the greater your ability is to get power to the ground. At least that's what the kids at Giant are saying. If that sounds confusing, go here to get a glimpse of what these pivots look like www.suspensionmadeharmonious.com

The Giant folks contend that one of Maestro's strong points is that it doesn't rely on high tech rear shock technology to deliver an efficient ride. The design, itself, is efficient. Giant contends that the linear spring curve (or rising rate) created by the floating pivot point enables Maestro bikes to be more sensitive to small bump forces while pedaling and braking than those systems entirely reliant on the latest shock technology. Theoretically, it also allows for maximum shock compression without the harsh ramp up because of the floating pivot point's ability to control smooth and consistent motion throughout the full range of suspension travel. In short, lots of travel with "no loss in acceleration power".

Bored by the details? Check out this first-run photo of the Reign:

It'll be November before we actually get much saddle time on any of the Maestro incarnations. When we do, we'll let you know whether the design is, in fact, a leap forward for Giant.