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When Trust Performance unveiled their 130mm linkage-driven mountain bike fork last year, naturally the question was if it would be possible to create a longer-travel fork using a similar design. Today, we have the answer: Yes. It is indeed possible.
The Shout boasts 178mm of travel, making it a good fit for aggressive trail and enduro bikes designed around traditional 160-180mm 29er forks or 27.5-inch bikes with 160-170mm of travel up front.
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Trust says the linkage design “separates the function of the chassis and damper, meaning the steerer-tube, crown, and chassis are purpose-built for strength and stiffness, while the suspension can move freely, with minimal stiction.”
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Even climbing is said to benefit from the unusual design, with improved traction available in firm mode, one of three modes available at the flick of a lever. Riders still get 20% sag in firm mode before the lockout engages to keep the front wheel grounded.
In addition to the performance benefits the design is said to provide, the 250-hour recommended service interval means it’s lower maintenance than most traditional suspension forks. Of course at a $1,975 retail price, none of these benefits come cheap.
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I tooled around on a Yeti SB-150 outfitted with the new Trust Shout fork to get a quick feel for it. Despite the hulking form, the fork is lightweight thanks to its carbon-fiber construction, and feels natural despite its far-out looks. Brake dive is less noticeable than on a traditional fork, perhaps thanks to the trailing linkage design. The fork is quite responsive with little stiction, though it’s hard to say anything definitively without more intensive testing.
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Buyers can pre-order the new Shout fork from select retailers starting today, with shipments beginning in mid-September.
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Sep 10, 2019