What do we think about Horst links?

[2unfit2ride]

It occurred to me whilst looking at my Merdia E bike that it doesn't have a Horst link, now on a supposed £5k bike why didn't they pay the £2 charge to have one?
Has suspension moved on that far & is brake "jack" even still a thing? It would seem shortsighted to make an inferior suspension design for a paltry amount but does it still come down to a few quid saved here & there make all the difference to the manufacturers or has suspension design moved on ?
Cheers.

 

[Gary]

A horst link is still brilliant when done well. (most suspension frames are well designed nowadays)

I personally would not consider a 4 bar single pivot. But that's me and I have very specifc reasons for this.
Yes of course brake jack is still a thing but it's not necissarily down to not having a horst link

You're thinking about it all wrong though with regards to "inferior" suspension designs. There's far far more to a good suspension design than whether or not it has a horst link

 

[Gary]

Ps. the patent expired a few years back. there's no longer a mythical £2 to pay

 

[2unfit2ride]

So do all suss frames with the link on the seat stays suffer brake jack? Or to be more specific does the Merida bike design potentially suffer from it?

 

[Gary]

it's not that simple.
you are also confusing brake squat with brake jack.
I haven't never looked at the kinematics of any Merida frames.

Are you a rear brake dragger?
Do you notice the rear become harsh when descending and dragging it?

 

[2unfit2ride]

Do you notice the rear become harsh when descending and dragging it?

Nope, I'm more used to riding hardtails so I just get on with it, I was only really thinking about it as last weeks 40k ride I had the lock out turned on & I never noticed until I got home

 

[Gary]

There's an absolute ton of info online about suspension
if you're genuinely interested. Start by following the links I posted in the suspension "sticky" in the general emtb forum.

 

[2unfit2ride]

Thanks, but I'm not that arsed as I have a bike & will deal with what I have rather than buy another expensive bike, I just thought it an interesting question.
Cheers.

 

[steve_sordy]

My last three bikes had a Horst link and I loved the ride. The Focus Jam2 is a 4-bar linkage controlled single pivot. Its OK and I haven't really made my mind up yet about it. It goes through its travel too fast for my taste, and I suspect that this compromises its climbing ability. But early days yet.