Chromag Lastly Goes Full Suspension, Unveils 3 Full Builds

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 creating its signature hardtail mountain bikes — after which began filling in its product array with garments and elements.

As all the freeride and downhill world across the firm in Whistler went totally suspended, the concept of constructing a suspended bike crossed the thoughts of its brass a number of instances. However its builders and product builders by no means had time to get the job carried out — 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 largest drops, is available in at 170/158mm, additionally on 29s. It’s set for takeoff in spring 2023.

The model began taking part in 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 inner useful resource deficiency would cease it in need of 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 mentioned. “[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 on account 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 a lot of the three builds in-house got here with a time penalty.

The learn-by-doing strategy produced many iterations of frames, {hardware} assemblies, welding jigs, pivot places, and fabrication strategies, the corporate mentioned.

For the Darco, the method resulted in a motorcycle formed like Chromag’s hardtails when it comes to 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 solid the rocker from it.

Sturdiness and serviceability additionally performed focal roles within the Darco’s design. The primary pivot makes use of an increasing collet axle system to cut back bearing stress—the target: a most 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 primarily the identical factor.

The Darco’s componentry consists of Rockshox suspension and seat put up, a SRAM GX Eagle gearset and G2 RSC brakes, and Maxxis Minion tires. Chromag just about handles the remainder.

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.

Verify all of it out at Chromag’s web site.