NINER ENCYCLOPEDIA
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SPECIFICATION & SETUP GUIDE
27
: Updated: SEPT 5, 2012
ABOUT CVA™ SUSPENSION - (U.S. PATENT NO. 7,934,739)
ABOUT CVA™ SUSPENSION:
Niner’s own Constantly Varying Arc, or CVA™, suspension design is not just
another version of the same old thing. It’s unique to Niner, designed in-
house, specifically for 29” wheels.
Although CVA™ does resemble some of the other parallel link bikes, CVA™
works very differently to isolate pedaling forces and remain fully active
under all conditions. Many current suspension designs, especially some
parallel link suspension designs, maximize efficiency by concentrating
their ‘instant center’ pivot location at or around the middle chainring.
These designs assume that most of your pedaling will be done in the
middle chainring and so are designed around this effective pivot location.
This also means that there is some compromise to the suspension’s
pedalability when NOT in the middle chainring (or when using a 2x10 set
up). The better the design, the less noticeable these compromises are.
In order to isolate pedaling forces in a broader range of gearing choices,
the CVA’s™ ‘instant center’ location is in front of the drivetrain. With the
lower pivot under the bottom bracket, the force at the rear axle resulting
from chain tension pulls the two linkages in opposite directions in all gear
choices, effectively isolating the drivetrain from the rear triangle. In other
words, when a rider cranks on the pedals, the chain is trying to pull the
lower link down and away from the bottom bracket, and the upper link in
its regular rotational path. Since the rear triangle is one piece, the result
of these opposing forces cancels each other out, leaving the only outlet
for chain-induced torque being rotation of the rear wheel, where it’s most
wanted.
Past the rearward-most position at sag, the axle path moves in towards
the bike at a gradual, constantly varying arc, which insures that there is
minimal chain growth throughout the length of travel. This also means
minimal pedal feed back in the drivetrain while cycling the suspension,
again, essentially isolating it from the fully active movement of the
suspension design.
Another key component to CVA™ suspension’s active design is the low
leverage ratio of shock stroke to suspension movement. This low leverage
ratio decreases the amount of air or spring weight needed for any rider
weight, which translates to smoother, more effective damping and less
drag on the seals.
Ultimately, there are many variables in suspension – we believe that we
have created a strong, 29er specific system, and that the best way to test
it is to go out and ride a Niner full suspension bike.
www.NINERbIkES.COm/DEmO
1. CVA™ IS NOw PATENTED (U.S. PATENT NO. 7,934,739)
CVA™ is an award-winning suspension design and now it is recognized with
a US Patent.
2. THE ONLY 29ER SPECIFIC SUSPENSION DESIGN
CVA™ is the only suspension designed with 29ers in mind. For those
seeking big wheels and CVA™ performance, Niner is the way to go. You
won’t find this design on other bikes.
3. EFFICIENT PEDALING IN ALL CHAINRINGS
CVA™ is designed to be efficient in all chainrings. Because of the location
of the lower pivot (under the BB) chain torque effectively isolates and
cancels out the forces acting to create inefficiency in pedal stroke.
4. POSITIVELY REVIEwED - AROUND THE wORLD
CVA™ equipped Niner Bikes have garnered praise on the forums and in
magazines around the world. Real rider experience supports our system’s
superiority for your 29er experience. See our website or the next page for
more reviews.
