LIGHTEST FULL-SUSPENSION ENDURANCE MOUNTAIN BIKE
MBAction | 22 Apr 04 | Staff
The La Ruta mountain bike frame design was born from the concept of creating an endurance/xterra racing bike to perform in the most extreme environments. The two most important design requirements where to have no maintenance and complete suspension reliability.
Constructed from Titanium, the La Ruta frame has no bearings or pivot points to loosen or become contaminated. Twin Torsion Technology flexes two rear plates, providing 80-100mm of plush rear travel. The use of plates offers superior lateral stability and maintenance over current suspension designs with bearings and swing links.
The recent advance of SPV and 5th Element shock technologies offers hard tail like efficiencies in a simplistic clean design. We are offering both the Manitou SPV and the Progressive 5th Element shocks as options.
Suggested Retail Target: $2300 (frame only)
CAUSE AND EFFECT DESIGN
Design Objective: Must be durable
Accomplishments & Results: Titanium frame material and 2 years of testing
Design Objective: Must be light
Accomplishments & Results: Simplistic design and proprietary butting techniques
Design Objective: Ridged frame construction Accomplishments & Results: Oversized frame tubes; especially the down tube
Design Objective: Extra tire clearance
Accomplishments & Results: Over 1/2" with most 2.1 tires
Design Objectives: Eliminate bearings
Accomplishments & Results: Twin Torsion Technology - horizontal and vertical placement of torsion plates
Other:
*Designed for 100mm fork
*Disc Brake Tabs or cantilever studs available upon request.
*Manufactured In the USA
ABOUT DESIGN GROUP
Daryl Funk is 285 Design Groups president and is the driving technical force. Experienced business owner, formerly and current, Daryl's understanding of trends, designs and manufacturing may be described as eclectic.
John Gerritsen is vice president of Marketing and carries 20 years of bicycle industry experience. Driven by enthusiasm, John will coordinate both technical and marketing concerns.
The 285 Design Group plans on manufacturing a limited number of La Ruta frames in the following months and distributing them to interested dealers. Currently website design is under construction and more information may soon be found at www.285.US
Contact them now at:
Daryl Funk - 303-810-5530; dwf7800@aol.com
John Gerritsen - 303-919-8833; j.Gerritsen@att.net
Fax - 303-816-2894
