WATERLOO, Wis. (BRAIN) — Trek Bicycle worked with Penske Racing Shocks and Fox Factory on a new patent-pending suspension feature called RE:aktiv that the company will debut on a new Fuel EX 27.5 mountain bike model.
The new model is available now and Trek said it would roll out a complete line of bikes with the new feature by late summer.
The collaboration with Penske began with a chance meeting between Penske Racing Shocks' technical director, Jim Arentz, and Trek’s director of MTB frame technology, Dylan Howes, at a NASCAR race. Penske and Trek did the initial research and development of the regressive damping technology before bringing in Fox to develop the actual shock, the company said.
Regressive damping generally refers to a set-up that limits shock movement due to small bumps or pedaling forces, then breaks away to allow travel on bigger hits. Trek said RE:aktiv "delivers on the unrealized potential of an inertia valve."
"The unique thing about Penske and Trek is that we've really only scratched the surface," said Penske's director of research and development, Bill Gartner. "Regressive technology helped with one compromise that was there in mountain biking but there's a whole other world of technologies that may apply. Not only from Formula One but all the markets we work with."
