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 pedalling 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; you can’t learn something new if you don’t try something different.
But it’s also 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
Benji Haworth, Singletrack magazine. 6th Nov 2025
https://singletrackworld.com/2025/11/auckland-cycle-works-marra-v2-4-review/
“An extremely interesting bike that also happens to be extremely good. … Does it do anything above and beyond any existing offerings from the mainstream bike world? Yes, I think it does.”
“the KOLARP suspension was extremely adept at dealing with bumps and impacts”. “The Marra is a superb climber”.
“it’s when braking that the Marra is most immediately different from more traditional designs. … the lack of stuttering or skipping about from the rear tyre contact patch is very impressive. The rear suspension doesn’t pack down, it stays neutral and still does suspensiony stuff. It means you can brake less and brake later.”
“So yeah, all in all I think the Auckland Cycle Works is a pretty exceptional mountain bike.”
Reviews
Guy Kesteven, GuyKesTV. 29th Dec 2025
https://youtu.be/iY2Kj8PT92s?si=CD-EpbwYQ7hWdOzK
“It’s just really calm and composed, it seems to give you more time and less terror.”
“We need bikes like this, technology like this, thinkers like this, to progress everything, to challenge the received wisdom, the status quo, go at things differently, ‘cos if that’s not what mountain biking is all about … then I don’t know what is.”
Pete Scullion, Wideopen magazine. 4th Aug 2025
“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.”
