Auckland Cycle Works is all about the suspension performance.
Our unique KOLARP suspension concept performs brilliantly, but doesn’t correlate with the accepted theory. Is this because there’s a flaw in the existing theory? Or because our design allows us greater design freedom?
Our bicycles are taking us on a fascinating journey!
All Auckland Cycle Works bikes are protected by our own KOLARP patent. Marra is also protected by the I-Track patent.
Photo: Alexej Fedorov/Bespoked
What is the significance of this work?
The KOLARP suspension system delivers performance advantages that others haven’t thought possible. We’re not saying that the dominant theory is wrong, after all it’s just a method for creating a measurement. We just proved that it’s not the whole story.
The KOLARP suspension platform:
maximises the performance advantages that you’d expect from high-pivot design
creates a massive leap forwards in braking performance
maintains a more consistent geometry whether you’re accelerating, cruising, braking, climbing or descending
resists the tendency to sink deeper into the travel when climbing steeper gradients
has excellent pedaling performance in all gears
We know our bikes are fast and fun. There’s an increasing number of people who are finding this out too. Read the reviews below!
So why is this KOLARP suspension design so special?
How techy/nerdy/philosophical do you want to get?
Others typically carry out their development with small incremental changes and monitoring the result. Auckland Cycle Works started by changing everything just so we could approach the goal from a different perspective.
This is about seeking out opportunity from the dark spaces in our knowledge.
But mostly it’s about playing with bikes and having fun.
Why is it better?
For every other bike on the market, under hard braking the rear suspension performance deteriorates by 28% to 38%. This is normal, it’s what we’re used to.
With the KOLARP suspension system, rear suspension performance deteriorates by less than 5%. This means, compared to your current bike, KOLARP rear suspension works 34% to 50% better under strong braking.
This also delivers incredible braking traction, keeps the ride stable and composed, and comes at no cost to pedalling efficiency.
The Auckland Cycle Works Marra and Reiver bikes, with the KOLARP suspension design, have no weird handling quirks and are easy to ride fast
Reviews
12th September 2025 Benji Haworth, Singletrack magazine
https://singletrackworld.com/2025/09/fresh-goods-friday-773-the-whole-nut-hang-edition/
“After riding it for a week, the Marra is an exceedingly capable and fast bicycle. It does the whole not-getting-slowed-down-by-bumps thing of high-pivot (rearward axle path) bikes and it has one of the calmest handling feels of any bike I’ve tried.”
“So far, I am loving this machine.”
4th August 2025 Pete Scullion, Wideopen magazine
“No oddities, no kicking, no nothing. Just control. It is hard to articulate how easy it is to rip on the Reiver. I was pushing on from the first turn and the rear end just dealt with all manner of stuff in the same composed way.”
“There was a quiet confidence about the Reiver that passed onto me when riding it.”
