Single Pivot Suspension

Summary

Single pivot is a foundational rear suspension design in mountain biking, where the rear wheel moves in an arc around a single main pivot attached to the front triangle. It’s celebrated for its simplicity, durability, and mechanical transparency, making it a go-to layout for trail, enduro, and gravity bikes — especially in value-oriented or rugged-use applications. While more complex linkage designs now dominate the high-performance segment, single pivot remains a viable and effective option, particularly when paired with modern shocks and geometry.

Key Facts

  • Introduced: Late 1980s (popularized in the 1990s)
  • Category: Technology
  • Also known as: Pure single pivot, swingarm suspension
  • Used by / Found on: Orange, Santa Cruz (historically), Commencal, GT, Cannondale
  • Design type: Rear axle path defined by a single pivot arc
  • Variants: Direct-actuation or linkage-driven shock designs
  • Modern relevance: Common in entry-mid level full suspension, plus some high-pivot and gravity platforms

Overview

The single pivot layout is among the most enduring rear suspension designs in the sport. Its appeal lies in its minimalism: a swingarm connects the rear axle to a single main pivot located on the front triangle, allowing the entire rear triangle to move as one unit. This straightforward design made it the default in early full-suspension mountain bikes and remains a solid option today — offering predictable performance, low maintenance, and excellent reliability.

Over time, as kinematic demands evolved and riders sought better pedaling efficiency and bump compliance, designs like the Horst Link, VPP, and DW-Link introduced multiple pivots and more complex motion paths. But single pivot hasn’t disappeared — it’s adapted. Today’s versions often incorporate linkage-driven shocks for progressive leverage curves, and some models embrace high-pivot configurations to tweak axle path and bump absorption.

Despite its simplicity, single pivot still has plenty of engineering nuance — particularly around pivot placement, leverage curve design, and shock tuning.

How It Works

At the heart of the single pivot design is one fixed pivot point on the main frame. The swingarm rotates around this point, guiding the rear axle along a fixed path as the suspension compresses.

1. Pivot Location

The placement of the main pivot — typically just above or behind the bottom bracket — defines the bike’s suspension behavior:

  • Lower pivot: More pedal-efficient, with modest anti-squat
  • Higher pivot: More rearward axle path, better bump compliance, but more pedal feedback
  • High-pivot + idler: Modern variation used to isolate drivetrain and suspension forces

The single pivot’s simplicity means these characteristics are “baked in” — they can’t be independently tuned like in multi-link designs.

2. Axle Path

The axle follows a constant-radius arc centered on the pivot. On most bikes, this creates a slightly rearward axle movement in early travel, then transitions forward as the suspension compresses.

  • Standard designs: Axle path swings upward and slightly forward
  • High-pivot variants: Generate more rearward axle movement, improving square-edge bump absorption

This fixed path contrasts with the more complex or variable paths enabled by multi-link bikes.

3. Shock Actuation

There are two main approaches:

  • Direct-Mount Shock: The shock connects directly to the swingarm and the front triangle. This is the simplest option, but usually yields a more linear (or sometimes regressive) leverage curve.
  • Linkage-Driven Shock: A small link connects the swingarm to the shock, allowing designers to create a progressive leverage rate — better for tuning small-bump compliance and bottom-out resistance.

Modern bikes almost always favor linkage-driven shocks to improve performance without compromising simplicity too much.

4. Braking and Pedaling Dynamics

Because the swingarm is a rigid unit, braking and pedaling forces interact directly with the suspension:

  • Anti-Squat: Usually moderate — enough to control pedal bob, but not highly tunable
  • Anti-Rise: Often high, leading to “brake jack” — where braking forces extend or stiffen the suspension during compression

These effects are trade-offs of the simplified layout but can be mitigated with careful pivot placement and shock setup.

Performance Characteristics

Despite its limitations, a well-designed single pivot bike can feel lively, efficient, and composed — especially on flow trails or moderately rough terrain. When matched with modern shocks and geometry, its drawbacks are less pronounced, especially for general trail or aggressive all-mountain riding.

Advantages

  • Simplicity: Fewer moving parts mean less maintenance, fewer bearings, and easier servicing
  • Durability: Performs reliably in harsh, muddy, or wet conditions
  • Predictable Feel: Consistent suspension response, with no surprise kinematic shifts
  • Affordability: Less expensive to produce, keeping complete bikes more accessible
  • Lightweight Potential: Fewer components can result in lighter frames

Limitations

  • Brake Jack: Can cause reduced suspension activity under braking, especially on rough descents
  • Limited Kinematic Tuning: No way to separately tune anti-squat, anti-rise, or axle path behavior
  • Leverage Curve Constraints: Direct-actuation designs can lack bottom-out control or small-bump plushness
  • Less Sophisticated Feel: Compared to high-end multi-link bikes, single pivots can feel harsher on big hits or under high-speed compression

Modern Use Cases

  • Trail and All-Mountain Bikes: 120–150 mm travel platforms benefit from the efficiency and predictability of single pivot designs
  • Enduro and Downhill: High-pivot single pivots offer strong descending performance with minimal design complexity
  • Entry-Level Full Suspension: Many budget-oriented bikes use this layout for simplicity and cost savings
  • E-Bikes: Single pivot layouts simplify packaging and weight distribution
  • Bikepacking / Adventure: Rugged, low-maintenance platforms are ideal for long-distance travel

Notable Implementations

  • Santa Cruz Heckler (1996–2003): One of the first mainstream single pivot trail bikes, helping establish the category
  • Orange Five / Alpine Series: Handmade UK bikes using high-pivot single pivot with iconic aluminum monocoque swingarms
  • Commencal Meta AM / Supreme: Enduro and DH bikes using refined linkage-driven single pivot designs, including high-pivot variations
  • Cannondale Habit Alloy (early models): Trail bikes with direct-actuation single pivot layouts
  • GT Force / Sensor (2013–2017): Mid-tier bikes using a floating shock on a single pivot platform for a more progressive feel

Related Terms

  • Anti-Squat
  • Anti-Rise
  • Axle Path
  • Linkage-Driven Shock
  • High-Pivot Suspension

See Also on BBB

References

  • Santa Cruz Bicycles Archives
  • Commencal Suspension System Technical Guides
  • Orange Bikes Engineering Blog
  • Pinkbike Tech: “The Evolution of Single Pivot”
  • BikeRadar: “Why Simplicity Still Matters in Suspension Design”
  • GT Bicycles Historical Product Sheets
  • Cannondale Product Engineering Resources
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