High Pivot Suspension

Summary

High pivot suspension refers to a rear suspension layout in which the main pivot is placed significantly higher than on traditional designs. This configuration enables a more rearward axle path, which improves bump absorption, especially over square-edge impacts. High pivot systems are most often used in downhill and enduro bikes, where traction and control take priority over pedaling efficiency.

Key Facts

  • Category: Technology
  • Also known as: High Main Pivot
  • First notable use: GT Lobo, 1998 (early prototype); popularized in 2010s
  • Typical application: Downhill, Enduro, Super Enduro bikes
  • Axle path: Rearward → vertical → slight forward
  • Often paired with: Idler pulleys to manage chain growth
  • Used by: Commencal, Forbidden, Deviate, Norco, GT, Cannondale
  • Related concepts: Axle Path, Chain Growth, Idler Pulley, Anti-Squat

Overview

High pivot suspension represents one of the most meaningful evolutions in mountain bike suspension design over the last two decades. By relocating the main pivot well above the bottom bracket — often near or even above the chainring — designers unlock a dramatically different axle path: one that initially moves rearward as the suspension compresses.

This rearward axle path helps the rear wheel move with impacts instead of against them, especially over obstacles like roots, square-edge rocks, or ledges. The result is a smoother ride feel, increased traction, and greater stability at high speeds — all critical traits for aggressive descending and race applications.

While the concept isn’t entirely new — early versions appeared in the late ’90s — the modern high pivot resurgence has brought with it better engineering, lighter frames, and the addition of idler pulleys that eliminate the excessive chain growth and pedal kickback that plagued earlier designs. Today’s high pivot bikes are no longer just race machines; they’re showing up in freeride, enduro, and even all-mountain segments.

How It Works

High pivot suspension systems start by shifting the location of the main pivot — the rotational axis connecting the rear triangle to the front triangle — upward along the seat tube or downtube. This shift changes how the rear wheel moves under compression.

1. Rearward Axle Path

With the pivot higher, the rear axle moves backward during the first part of its travel, rather than simply upward in a vertical or forward arc. This rearward motion helps the wheel “get out of the way” of obstacles rather than smashing into them. When descending at speed over uneven terrain, the effect is a calmer rear end, with less feedback reaching the rider.

This has significant performance benefits in steep and technical terrain:

  • Reduced deceleration when the wheel hits bumps
  • Improved traction during braking and cornering
  • Smoother line holding over rough ground

2. Chain Growth and Idler Pulleys

One of the downsides of a rearward axle path is increased chain growth. As the rear axle moves away from the bottom bracket, the distance between the chainring and the rear cassette grows. This tension pulls on the chain and can result in pedal kickback — a jarring feeling in the cranks when suspension compresses under load.

To counter this, high pivot bikes use idler pulleys, which reroute the chain over a fixed point near the pivot. This pulley ensures the upper chain segment follows the pivot’s rotation, effectively neutralizing chain growth and isolating the drivetrain from the suspension.

Key benefits of using an idler:

  • Eliminates pedal kickback
  • Allows the suspension to remain fully active under load
  • Retains appropriate anti-squat behavior for climbing and acceleration

Depending on the design, some bikes may use a single idler, while others may incorporate tensioners or additional lower idlers to manage chain wrap and minimize drag.

3. Suspension Kinematics

High pivot systems allow for more independent tuning of suspension characteristics. Designers can create bikes with:

  • High levels of anti-rise for stable braking
  • Controlled anti-squat to balance climbing and traction
  • Progressive leverage curves for better mid-stroke support and bottom-out resistance

These systems are usually paired with long-travel designs (150 mm to 200+ mm), making them ideal for gravity-focused riders.

Advantages & Trade-Offs

Advantages

  • Exceptional Bump Absorption: Rearward axle path reduces harshness from square-edge hits.
  • Improved Traction: Wheel tracks terrain better, maintaining grip over technical surfaces.
  • Stable Under Braking: Tuned anti-rise keeps suspension active and bike composed.
  • Reduced Rider Fatigue: Smoother ride feel lowers impact stress on the body.
  • Better Line Holding: Wheel deflects less off obstacles, improving control.

Trade-Offs

  • Increased Complexity: Idler pulleys add mechanical components and setup nuance.
  • Added Weight: Extra hardware and longer chain runs increase weight slightly.
  • Higher Drag: Idler systems introduce minor drivetrain friction, though modern designs mitigate this well.
  • Packaging Constraints: Fitting an idler and tuning chainline requires careful frame engineering.
  • Climbing Efficiency: While pedal kickback is managed, some riders feel high pivots lack the “snappy” pedaling of low-pivot designs on smooth terrain.

Notable Implementations

  • Commencal Supreme DH – A race-winning downhill platform with high-pivot + idler; widely credited with popularizing modern high-pivot design.
  • Forbidden Druid & Dreadnought – Trail and enduro bikes using a compact high-pivot layout and precise idler tuning.
  • Deviate Claymore – A carbon enduro bike with a high pivot and distinctive linkage, blending all-day rideability with DH-level performance.
  • Norco Aurum HSP – DH race machine built around a full high-pivot suspension layout.
  • Cannondale Jekyll (2022) – Uses a high pivot + hidden shock design to create a deep, plush ride feel.
  • GT Fury (latest gen) – Idler-equipped DH platform tuned for aggressive race conditions.

Related Terms

References

  • Commencal Supreme DH Technical Breakdown
  • Forbidden Druid Suspension White Paper
  • Deviate Claymore Kinematic Overview
  • BikeRadar: “High Pivot Suspension—Explained”
  • Pinkbike: High Pivot Field Tests and Reviews
  • GT Fury Suspension Platform Explainer
  • Norco Engineering Notes on Aurum HSP
  • Anti-Squat and Axle Path Studies (Linkage Design, 2022)
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