Suspension systems come and go. Over the years we’ve tried just a handful of what’s available, for example the Marin/Whyte Quad system, the Intense 5.5 VPP and various single pivot systems including most recently the Orange Five.

All claim various properties, I seem to remember one of them offers impressive levitational powers while another the ability to walk on water and solve world peace. Before breakfast. Regretably, none are able to provide reliable success with the opposite sex although we live in hope.

Now Kona have come up with another variation on a theme with the launch of their 2008 range of Mountain Bikes and the introduction of the Kona Magic Link. It’s essentially another attempt at driving the shock from both ends, as has recently been tried by Pace and (I think) Cube.

The Magic Link appears to work by having the lower swingarm pivot drive a short link which the lower shock mount is attached to. I’ve managed to uncover an animated illustration so you can see how it works which has the benefit of having ‘for internal use only’ stamped on it (those cheeky viral campaigns from the manufacturers eh?):

View an animated illustration of Kona’s Magic Link suspension technology

The end result is steeper frame geometry when pedalling and climbing and a slacker approach when you ease off and point downhill.

Sounds like you can have your cake and eat it, something we’re no strangers to. I’ll post more Kona 2008 pics when I find them.

About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.