Blasting Off with the Super Shuttle

Text by Irawan Kamsan (Courtesy of Zhenghua CSC) Photos by Wravern

Bionicon is a small German bike maker who likes to do things differently from everyone else. When I got the opportunity to test ride one of their “Freeride” bikes, it was then that I got to experience the Bionicon effort first hand and what it really means to be unique!

First impression of the Super Shuttle was nothing short of exciting. From a distance, the bike looked like any single pivot full suspension frame. But on closer inspection revealed way more hoses than usual; for one, a rather strange looking rear shock and a blue box push-button gadget on the handlebar with cables linked to the front and rear suspension system. I was told that the button is meant for adjustment of the suspension in the sickest way you can ever imagine; while on the move!

The idea behind the bike setup is simple. Whilst most travel-adjust bikes simply lower the forks, thus lowering the bottom bracket, the Bionicon increases the length of the rear shock at the same time as lowering the forks. The bottom bracket height stays the same, yet all the angles tighten up so as to give you a choice between XC and FR angles. How it works mechanically may take a couple more columns than I have here to describe. Suffice to say that such adjustments in the front fork and rear shock can be possible only because of Bionicon’s specially patented Pneumatic Travel Adjustment System.

Another noteworthy part of the bike is the offset fork crowns which gave the illusion of a longer bike and provided a much better steering lock than most of the dual crown forks. With the forks at full extension of 170mm (6.5in) travel, the geometry feels very natural and you can throw the bike confidently into any trail or jumps in front of you. The bike also comes with a two-piece swingarm that pivots elegantly and is a breeze to detach for easy maintenance on the rear section of the bike. Providing damping action, the rearward shock mounts feature three points of adjustment allowing for up to 10mm of movement on the bottom bracket height and enables you to create one extra degree of head angle adjustment. The frame is one of the most adjustable on the market, yet still easy to maintain. The bike weighs an incredible 13.6kg, which complements the adjustable frame well to create a superb climber. Did I mention that the travel adjustment system is sick? It is the only one-of-its-kind that allows riders to adjust their riding position while riding; just push the button at the blue box on the handlebar and lean your body in favor of a climb, decent or neutral riding position and the pneumatic travel adjustment will do the rest for you. The result is a fantastically versatile trail bike and certainly one to consider for any avid all-rounder.

The suspension set-up and the length of the wheelbase makes the bike feel stable in fast descents, at ease on the jumps and in the air, yet nimble enough in tighter turns or on slower sections of the track. The rear end is laterally stiff; giving plenty of feedback while the rear wheel tracks well but seems to be lacking in some small-bump sensitivity on my test bike (Nothing a little fine-tuning in suspension setup can’t iron out).

Taking the Super Shuttle to the test on the trail, I must say it is the “Freeride” feel that the bike shines most; being an absolute ease to have it airborne. Although the price tag on the bike could be an issue with some riders, you can be assured that owning one bike that can replace two or three is a sound financial proposition. Ultimately, the Super Shuttle is a modern next generation, full suspension machine. The current trend in full suspension bikes is to create more utilitarian, do everything bikes and Bionicon is a prime example of a company that builds bikes you can ride both up and down the mountain. That is what it's all about, a bike that does everything. If you love to ride and "shuttling" isn't in your vocabulary, then the Bionicon line of bikes are tailor-made for you.

Contributed by Spin Asia