VHP X Kinematics
The Magic of VHP
Deep Dive: VHP X Kinematics
High pivot bikes are known for their ability to carry momentum through rough terrain. By allowing the rear wheel to move rearward when encountering obstacles, they reduce impact forces and help the bike maintain speed, traction, and composure.
The challenge is that many high-pivot systems achieve these benefits at the expense of other performance characteristics.
Some generate excessive anti-rise, stiffening the suspension under braking and reducing traction on technical terrain. Others rely on significant chain growth to achieve high anti-squat values, which introduces pedal kickback and reduces suspension freedom on rough trails.
The Virtual High Pivot (VHP) system was developed to preserve the advantages of a high-pivot design while minimizing these compromises.
Rather than optimizing a single parameter, the VHP platform balances axle path, anti-rise, anti-squat, leverage rate, and chain growth as an integrated system. Every characteristic influences the others, and the objective is not to maximize individual values but to achieve the best overall riding experience.
The goal is to create a bike that feels calm, composed, and confidence-inspiring when ridden at speed.
Climbing Performance - Anti-Squat
Bikes with a High Pivot Point naturally offer excellent support under pedaling without the downside of pedal kickback when using an idler pulley to reroute the chain. But we went a bit further and optimized the Anti Squat throughout the gears and travel to achieve what we believe is perfection: Plenty of support when climbing, but no pedal-kickback in DH gears.
Braking Characteristics - Anti-rise
Anti Rise is usually the weak point of "High Pivot Point" bikes, as too much Anti Rise results in less active suspension, reduced travel, and loss of traction under rear braking. That's why we paid a ton of attention to designing a bike that doesn't change geometry under braking, keeps the suspension active, and prevents the rider’s mass from shifting forward. We call that system "Virtual High Pivot" which makes you faster.
Suspension Feel - Leverage Ratio
Our suspension platform delivers 132–200 mm of travel with 47.5–75 mm stroke shocks, while the new shock mount allows us to offer different progression options. The curve starts with excellent sensitivity for maximum traction and comfort. The mid-stroke provides the support needed to pump terrain and maintain speed, while remaining active enough to absorb bigger impacts. Toward the end of the travel, progression increases to work with modern shock bottom-out systems and encourage full use of the available travel.
Drivetrain Behavior - Pedal Kickback
Our Virtual High Pivot platform keeps it to a minimum. Thanks to the idler and a carefully tuned anti-squat curve, pedal kickback is virtually unnoticeable in the gears most commonly used for descending. In climbing gears, a small amount of pedal kickback remains to support pedaling efficiency and maintain a responsive feel on technical ascents. The result is a bike that stays composed and efficient when climbing, while remaining smooth and predictable on the way down.
Rough Terrain Performance - Rear Axle Path
Our rearward axle path allows the wheel to move with obstacles rather than against them, helping the bike maintain momentum and composure in rough terrain. Unlike many high-pivot designs, we deliberately avoided an extreme rearward path to keep anti-rise below 100% at SAG and minimize weight transfer under braking.
The result is a suspension system that remains active, preserves geometry under hard braking, and delivers the traction and control needed when the trail gets demanding.