You can’t discover something new if you don’t try something different.
Auckland Cycle Works is a project that was started out of pure experimentation. The current suspension design paradigm is dominated by a rather restrictive set of theories, and there are currently lots of different designs that deliver very similar outputs.
This video shows the similarity between other commercially available designs, and contrasts with the radically different Auckland Cycle Works KOLARP concept.
Gary Ewing (Auckland Cycle Works founder and inventor) is of course aware that small changes make big differences to the way a bike rides, but he also felt it might be possible to design something outside the current paradigm.
“The dream was always to develop my own bike brand, but there’s no point in taking the risk if I’d just be making a minor variation on an existing design.” Inspired and supported by family and friends, Gary didn’t just discover something different, he discovered something better.
Auckland Cycle Works Marra prototype V 1.2 Photo by Adam Gasson. This version had a super-short swingarm which made the bike loads of fun, but the suspension action wasn't as good and the climbing performance suffered.
This linkage was the last major step in the development of the Marra.
Over 50 iterations of this linkage were compared to improve the kinematics and to protect the shock from side-loads.
We'd rather replace another 4 bearings, than replace a damaged shock.
The Auckland Cycle Works Marra is protected by two patents:
- I-Track patent AU2013225624
- Auckland Cycle Works' own KOLARP patent GB2611590
The Auckland Cycle Works Reiver is also protected by KOLARP patent GB2611590, and is a shorter travel non-high-idler design. Development of the next Reiver prototype is happening slowly while we focus on getting Marra out into the world.
Photo by Alex Geml, TEBP
Both bikes deliver significant suspension performance gains under pedalling, freewheeling and braking. We’re working to get the theory independently verified and quantified. If you’re interested to explore this as part of your PhD or Masters degree, please get in touch.
These bikes and our development work put Auckland Cycle Works in a unique and exciting place.