Tantrum’s Missing Link suspension design promises revolutionary climbing efficiency, without sacrificing descending prowess. The video explaining this technology is stupid-boring, so let me break down the general idea behind the patented Missing Link suspension design for you.
As the trail steepens and pedaling load increases, the shock actually extends, reducing the amount of shock sag as the slope gets steeper. On a steep slope under a high amount of load, the shock should reach zero sag and be fully locked out. However, despite being “locked out,” the valving is still open. According to the video linked above, the shock is still open and ready to respond to roughness in the trail, despite being rigid under pedaling load. According to Tantrum, no other shock or suspension design on the market does this.
Having the sag automatically decrease as the rider climbs allows Tantrum to spec much slacker head tube angles than other brands. For example, the Meltdown Race, an enduro bike with 27.5″ wheels and 165mm of rear travel, features a 63.5° head tube angle. Despite what looks like an ultra-slack HT angle, that angle gets steeper when climbing due to the decrease in sag. Essentially, the Tantrum Meltdown automatically provides a steeper HT angle when climbing, and a slacker HT angle when descending. Genius.
Side Note: “Tantrum Meltdown,” how’s that for a naming win?! Their 29er trail bike model is just as good: the “Tantrum Outburst.” The English nerd in me is geeking out right now.
The Tantrum bikes will be available in a variety of build kits, with special pricing currently available on Indiegogo. Right now, you can pre-order an aluminum frame with Xfusion O2 shock for $1,500, and complete builds start at $2,600.
