Comments on: 2009 Rocky Mountain Altitude: Horst Link or Not?

By: alex

alex — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:15:43 +0000

I have an altitude 70 rsl and can say that it feels different in climbs than a stumpjumper does, better than mosst 4 inch bikes I’ve ridden! Amazing bike and well worth the money. Also always gets good comments from other riders/ racers..a bit sketchier than alot of other 5 inch bikes duee to it’s steep geometry but that’s pretty easy to wwork around and if you’re used to XC bikes anyways you’ll only feel the benefits to this rig

By: 2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer Unveiled - FeedTheHabit.com

2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer Unveiled - FeedTheHabit.com — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:25:13 +0000

[...] Rocky Mountain launched the new Smooth Link suspension design for the all-new Altitude platform in the Fall of 2008, we assumed that the entire lineup would eventually get revamped to [...]

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:22:45 +0000

I may need to dig into this further, but it is my understanding that the Horst patent is only enforceable in the USA. Outside the States, you can use the Horst to your heart’s content and not pay Specialized. I’ll dig into this to be certain, but that is what I understand.

By: alex

alex — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:06:43 +0000

jason, since the specialized bikes are also still sold here in canada I would think they still have to pay up to specialized right? since they’re competing for sales here aswell..otherwise you’d think avoiding paying up would be as simple as simply just not selling in the states at all?

By: Andrew Oneeel

Andrew Oneeel — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:05:33 +0000

From what I understand, Bicycle suspension in Canada cannot be patented unless it is proven to be truly revolutionary. The last sucessful bike suspension patent application was done in horse-and-buggy days. As a result, we have more horst-style bikes available, but not alot more.

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:19:34 +0000

Yup… I’m fully-aware of that, but does Norco have to pay Specialized for the Horst on bikes sold in Canada? It’s my understanding that Norco wouldn’t have to pay up if the bikes are sold outside the States. I may be wrong though…

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:09:11 +0000

Slightly OT, but just to be clear: Norco legally licenses the Horst link from Specialized. The Big S’s logo is tucked away on the chainstay of every Norco fully that I’ve seen.

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:54:31 +0000

I got the lowdown from the bike’s designer, D’Arcy at the Outdoor Demo. Pretty interesting stuff.

I then rode the full-carbon Altitude 90 RSL on the trails. I’m working on a full review, but this bike definitely makes a statement. It climbs really, really well and feels extremely light in the saddle. Descending was confident, but maybe a teeny bit twitchy on super-technical stuff. More details in a full review shortly… Stay tuned!

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:19:52 +0000

You’re entirely correct! I wrote that before digging into the details of the current Rocky Mountain ETS patent. Things get fuzzy for the untrained eye since the differences are minimal when the chainstays are lowered as they now are on the Altitude.

You’ve got to admit, it’s completely splitting hairs at this point. I’ll be interested to hear the exact differences between the Horst and ETS designs straight from Rocky Mountain’s engineer, D’Arcy at Interbike next week.

But, you are correct… a pivot above the rear axle and it’s ETS, below the rear axle and it’s Horst. Either way, manufacturers will fall under someone’s patent and have to pay up.

By: John

John — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:24:29 +0000

You mention that if RM is successful in circumventing the Big S patent then the floodgates would be unleashed. Wouldn’t this floodgate still fall under a patent, namely RM’s now????