PROTOTYPE: REEB Cycles Unveils Steel “SST” Full Suspension Bike
Our new REEB Cycles suspension platform bridges the gap between our playful and capable hardtails and the Sqweeb, our aluminum full suspension that will take anything that you can throw at it.
Ever since we built the first squishy REEB seven years ago, we’ve dreamt of creating a short travel ripper with the rowdy and playful character of our steel hardtails and enough suspension to hit the big lines.
We started with a totally clean sheet, thought waaaaay outside the box, and we’re beyond stoked with the result.
We are proud to introduce the SST, our high tech lightweight 120mm trail bike. Easily the most advanced, balanced, and capable steel mountain bike we’ve ever made!
Our take on the ultimate mountain bike blends the custom steel tubeset from Jeff Lenosky’s signature Redikyelous, design and fabrication inspiration from Adam Prosise’s groundbreaking BREWser, suspension tech from the critically acclaimed Sqweeb, and innovative aerospace-grade SLM 3D printed frame components.
At the heart of the SST is a brand new, REEB exclusive 4-bar suspension system that combines the pedaling and braking performance of a Horst-link with the simplicity and low weight of a flex-stay. We use custom formed stays, a hollow yoke and proprietary dropouts to precisely control suspension movement and increase lateral stiffness over a traditional steel frame. This design gives the SST incredible small bump sensitivity, supportive ramp throughout the travel, and a sublime balance of stiffness and compliance. Leverage ratio, kinematics and geometry are all tuned to create an ultra responsive chassis that jumps off the line, crushes climbs, slaps berms, launches gaps, and floats through chunder like a much bigger bike.
A key goal for Adam and Steve of the SST development was exploring the limits of manufacturing technology and learning how to apply the latest tech to build a light, stiff and strong steel bike. Metal additive manufacturing (3D Printing) has intrigued us for a while, but until recently it was not a cost effective or accessible technology. Over the last couple of years 3D printing has become much more mainstream so we jumped at the opportunity to make some parts. The SST features SLM 3D printed (Freaking Lasers!!!) hollow stainless steel chainstay yoke, seatstay clevis, and rear dropouts. The result is stronger, stiffer, lighter, and more elegant than anything we could have imagined when we started making bikes.
When Adam created the BREWser, he not only wanted to create an absolute trail weapon that would slay anything in its path, but he also wanted to start exploring different frame construction techniques that would pay homage to the original REEB mentality. Steel is real! Sleek lines of oversized steel tubing (REEB ABT) that REEB helped design for the bike industry nearly 9 years ago. Large diameter tubing that could hold up to the abuse of slack head angles and long reach, something that REEB pioneered since day one. We didn’t just hop on the train, we developed the railway to make sure the train arrived at its location.
So how do we create a lightweight full suspension frame that is entirely steel? Enter Technology. Enter Selective Laser Melting 3D printing. We are able to utilize 3D printing to create thin wall parts with internal structure that would be impossible to manufacture on any subtractive CNC machining process. We are able to create steel dropouts, main pivot yokes and seatstay clevis bosses that are lighter, and stronger than machined aluminum parts. Their appearance is also sleek and matches the aesthetics of steel tubing.
We have carried over Sqweeb aesthetics in the CNC machined in house rocker link, but reduced its size and reduced the weight greatly to match the SST’s intended use. We use enduro bearings throughout, and all pivots have been extensively tested on the Sqweeb frame.
