Seven's Dual Suspension Bikes

Seven's Suspension System Demystified

It starts with our Balance Control System™ and the unique way in which we customize. To learn more about all the reasons to choose Seven, read our suspension value proposition

It's impossible to simplify the complex interplay of features found in Seven's suspension bikes. Individually, no one factor makes a massive difference to the suspension character of a bike. It is the interaction of elements that makes a suspension bike perfect or not.

Regardless, here are some simplifications about Seven's unique suspension platform. The most important thing to remember is that a good suspension system is about improving control and speed, not maximizing comfort and squish. With high speed and control in mind, here are some overarching factors that make Seven's system ideally suited for many riders.

1. Customization: We're not talking here about rider fit — that's a given. For suspension optimization, we're talking about factors Seven can uniquely control due to our deep customization, including:
1. Center of gravity: The more accurately we can place the rider in space, the more control the rider has, and the better the bike handles. Why? The rider's COG shifts significantly during trail riding, and the rider weighs so much more than the bike.
2. Chain Force Vector or chain path: With modern cassette ranges of 500% or more — 10-52t as of this moment — chain vector makes a massive difference to pedal kickback, anti-squat, and more. Seven can uniquely accommodate whatever gearing you're using.
3. Tire contact patch locations for both wheels: Contact patch is the starting point for optimizing squat-anti-squat, pedaling feedback, center of gravity, and more. Patch locations are determined by almost every element of front and rear end frame geometry along with wheel size. Seven can obviously tune and optimize each of these ingredients for any given riding style and suspension characteristic.

2. Balance Control System™: Seven's innovative suspension design is a group of engineered elements packaged with customization that benefits the rider in new ways. A few of the most common benefits include:
1. Virtual pivot track™: Many suspension bike designers talk about "instant center," but there is no ideal suspension point or moment. The instant center is actually an arch of movement through which the suspension flows. Seven's VPT addresses this by employing six pivot locations — in a four-bar linkage that are easily tuned through our customization through managing the suspension travel, gearing, the rider's center of mass, and more.
2. Four-bar linkage: By having six tuneable pivot points, we can dictate the virtual pivot track precisely. This controlled movement allows us to optimize and tightly manage much of the suspension's behavior. There is no more versatile, customization-friendly, performance-focused suspension form available.
3. Managing anti-squat, brake jack or squat, and pedal kickback: These are all competing forces, and every suspension design makes choices about which to mitigate most. Fortunately, with Seven's customization and BCS we can account for gearing – impacting pedal bob and pedal kickback – and predictive center of mass, which helps manage brake jack.

Of course, suspension is a complicated system with a rider that's moving all over the place. The above oversimplification should not be taken as all that's required to build a good suspension bike. Read on to understand some of the complexities.

Why Choose Seven's Dual Suspension System?

Nearly three decades ago, Seven's R&D team worked on the world's first titanium dual suspension bike. Our four founders were mountain bike racers. Throughout our history, we've partnered with the smartest suspension designers the industry has ever known. Our suspension bikes have helped racers climb countless podiums.

Seven has a wider and deeper range of suspension bike offering than most companies, large or small. A quick perusal of our suspension categories provides insight. Some key differentiators of Seven's suspension designs include:

1. Suspension Design Experience: Thousands of suspension bikes built over more than two decades. Seven's 4th generation suspension. Previously worked with the best suspension designers in the world including Dave Weagle and Paul Turner.
2. True Custom: To your riding style. Any type of handling and geometry tuning. 29er and 27.5" wheels. Thoughtful parts compatibility. Custom, for Seven's suspension is about fit and components — not suspension type or tuning.
3. Progressive Suspension Design: This includes Seven's Balance Control System (BCS) and Virtual Pivot Track (VPT) designs. Both unique concepts that make for some of the best suspension performance possible.
4. Titanium: Tough, durable, enhances suspension performance.

To learn more about all the reasons to choose Seven, read our suspension value proposition, dig into our suspension technology details, learn about our unique Balance Control System (BCS), get a handle on our Virtual Pivot Track (VPT) designs, and learn about our universal suspension design elements, too.

Choosing the right wheel size: 27.5" or 29"

We offer all of our suspension bikes in both 27.5" and 29" configurations. We will even build with a front 29" and rear 27.5" if you so desire. We're agnostic on wheel size. Our goal is to provide you the wheel system you want.

To learn why one size may work better for you over another size, check out Seven's wheel system chooser.

Determining your ideal mountain bike wheel size is fairly straightforward. This may sound surprising given all the endless chatter about the critical subtleties of that 0.75" radius difference.

Fortunately, Seven builds every model in either wheel size. Very rare for a bike company. The industry standard is for a bike brand to push a wheel size because that's what they offer, or that's what they have too much inventory of. Seven builds each bike to order so we can deliver what's truly best for you with no other agenda.

There is rarely a perfect wheel system for every condition on every ride. And, both current popular wheels — the stalwart 29" and the feisty 27.5" — are excellent in most situations. Fortunately, deciding which wheel system is ideal for your Seven is usually simple. Our chart below may be helpful in simplifying what might seem complicated, or we're happy to help you choose the optimal wheel during your Seven design interview, if you'd like.

Adventure Riding Class

Our Adventure suspension bikes are our longest travel, biggest hit machines. These bikes are stable, comfortable, keep you in control, and have you feeling less tired at the end of the day. If you're riding rougher terrain, looking for the plushest ride possible, or like going a bit too fast when you shouldn't, start here.

Adventure Fun Bike

Mobius SL with 27.5" wheels, 120 mm travel frame & fork

Agile, light, switchbacks, body English

When you're riding to have some fun and not just to win, Seven's adventure geometry mated with a 27.5 inch wheelset, you'll both win and have all the fun. Its a quick handling, quick accelerating, full squish 120 travel bike. Smiles included. Contact us to learn more about this bike.

Adventure Varied Bike

Mobius SL with 29" wheels, 120 mm travel frame & fork

Flowy, stable, control, predictable

When you don't know where your ride will take you, Seven's adventure geometry and overall design will be perfect. This is a well balanced and behaved package that lets you do just about anything with confidence and stability. This bike has the best of everything; large wheels to roll over stuff, balanced 120 mm travel front and rear, and thoughtful frame handling geometry that's not chasing fads. Contact us to learn more about this bike.

Adventure Enduro Bike

Mobius SL with 29" wheels, 120 mm travel frame & 140 mm fork

Rough terrain, comfort, stability, out all day

Now THIS is a bike. 140 mm fork travel mated to 29 inch wheels will have you rolling over stuff you never thought possible, and doing it at speed. The 120 mm rear travel keeps the bike feisty and ready to accelerate out of corners and ahead of your mates. When you want big hit fun with cross-country speed, this is the bike. Adventures of the endurance kind. See the full bike series details here.