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.
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.”
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.
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.
Buyers can pre-order the new Shout fork from select retailers starting today, with shipments beginning in mid-September.
