HOLBROOK, NY (BRAIN)—Iron Horse Bicycles has acquired the license for the Instant Center Tracking suspension design from Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles.
Iron Horse will introduce the four-bar fully active suspension design to its 2010 line, which will include cross-country, freeride and downhill platforms.
“The folks at Iron Horse share my vision for building bikes with real, proven suspension technology, rather then concocting some gimmick to market for another few years before the next new gimmick,” said Anthony Ellsworth, founder and patent holder of Ellsworth’s ICT technology.
The ICT system will improve efficiency, traction control, bump absorption and overall ride quality.
“Ellsworth and Iron Horse agree that the sport of mountain biking grows when folks have a fabulous ride experience on great performing frame designs. ICT-equipped full suspension designs perform better, have more energy and great comfort, traction and control then any other suspension design,” Ellsworth said. “We believe folks having that level of experience will ride more and tell a friend, and there will be more folks riding bikes, promoting health and appreciating our planet in an environmentally responsible and healthy way.”
Iron Horse’s license for the DW Link, which was used on Iron Horse’s downhill, freeride, all-mountain, trail and cross-country bikes in its 2008 line, and for several years before, expires on March 31, 2009.
Dave Weagle, the inventor of the DW Link, decided last July not to renew the license with Iron Horse. Pivot, Ibis and Independent Fabrication also hold licenses for the DW Link, and Weagle is expected to name a fourth licensee next month.
The addition of ICT’s energy-efficient suspension technology will enhance Iron Horse’s already fully loaded high-end line up, which will launch fall of 2009, said Brad Accettella, product manager of Iron Horse Bikes.
“This is a very exciting time for our product development department. We are looking forward to creating unique frame platforms that carry forward Iron Horse’s renowned ride characteristics. The goal is to incorporate the key qualities from our existing models with benefits of the ICT system.” Accettella said. “We are committed to produce well-engineered, World Cup quality performance bikes.”
Iron Horse chief executive officer Cliff Weidberg announced earlier this summer that would pull out of the independent bicycle dealer channel. As of Sept. 1, Iron Horse will sell its high-end bikes exclusively the Randall Scott Cycle Company, an online retailer with a showroom in Boulder, Colorado.
For more information on Iron Horse’s ICT license, be sure to read the October issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
—Nicole Formosa
