UK Marin importers and designers ATB Sales have been spitting feathers after photo’s of a linkage rear suspension bike built for the German arm of the brand for the Eurobike show appeared in MBUK.
“We have no idea why the Germans have done it, espescially after we’ve worked so hard proving and refining the single pivot concept. The really stupid thing is they’ve gone to all the trouble and extra weight of bearings and the axle path is pretty much exactly the same as a swingarm bike. You’ve more chance of seeing me in a Bikini than us doing a rear linkage.” said Peter Holton from Marin importers ATB Sales.
Our suggestions that he might retaliate with his own linkage rear Whyte bike, just by swapping the handlebars and saddle round on PRST-1 were also discounted.
Whilst on the subject, we still get the occasional mail from people saying that German ministers for boredom BMW have ripped off Preston or vice-versa. For the record BMW have been using their tele-lever suspension system on motorbikes for a few years now. Though it uses a lower linkage driving a conventional shock like PRST-1, the upper legs use a telescopic bearing rather than a second linkage.
Have a look for yourself: Whyte and BMW.