After over 2 years of development, study, analysis, calculations, consults, and multiple redesign iterations, I am very proud to give you your first glimpses of the Banshee Legend MkI DH race bike.
The Legend MkI is the flagship for the new improved Banshee. This bike is made purely for DH race, and that is reflected in the geometry, weight and performance.
Coming from a clean slate, the Legend MkI has been designed for one thing... to go fast! Every aspect of the frame has been meticulously designed to be light [8.5 - 9lbs] and low.
Having a low centre of gravity on a bike makes it more stability, especially at speed, and makes the bike much easier to lean into corners and tear around them.
One of the best ways to keep the center of gravity close to the ground, is to place the shock (relatively heavy, especially with the 3" stroke shock the Legend MkI takes) as low as is physically possible in the frame without leaving it exposed below the BB. The legend has achieved this by enclosing the shock in a machined shock basement forging which allows the shock to effectively go where the down tube would be.
The shock basement is designed to be the lightest possible way to achieve the low shock positioning, but it also is an incredibly strong design for its weight. Since the shock basement is 2 side forgings welded together down the centre line, this means that there are no welds at all taking the high loads of the rear suspension linkage. As we all know, welds are the weakest part in any frame, so by removing them completely from the high stress areas we can achieve a very good strength to weight ratio.The linkage is a specifically designed to be the best preforming DH race suspension system available on the market today (according to data, calculations and performance graphs). This has been achieved by carefully manipulating pivot positions and linkage lengths to optimize such factors as leverage ratio, chain stretch, pedal kickback, force profiles, rear triangle angular displacement, axle path, instantaneous center, center of curvature and many more characteristics.
The results of the thousands of iterations and calculations, models and remodels is a linkage that will enable the fastest riders to go faster!
The Legend linkage exhibits:
- Adjustable travel between 7" and 8.5" with self adjusting geometry
- An initially rearward axle path for small square edge bump sensitivity
- Initial chain stretch of which the rate diminishes as the suspension compresses deeper into its travel, to improve pedaling efficiency, while limiting pedal kickback
- A progressive to linear leverage ratio which will results in a highly efficient pedaling platform
- Active suspension under braking
- Ultra low center of gravity and BB height
- Lateral stiffness to ensure that the power from the pedals goes straight to the back wheel rather than frame flex soaking it up.
- Cold form extrusion link and shock actuator
- Bushings instead of bearings
The Legend Mk1 also has a Banshee propietary custom triple butted hydroformed tubeset which result in large weld interfaces and integrated gussets, as well as the internally ribbed chainstays and seatstays that Banshee is famous for.
Chainline is dialled with the 83mm BB shell and integrated ISCG 2005 standard for chainguides
The 1.5" head tube allows our riders to either run the new generation of 1.5" stearer forks, or to run a zero stack reducer headset to keep the front low.
Again, the estimated frame weight without shock should be around 8.5-9lbs, but we will have to weight til the prototypes are ready to weigh them accurately. This bike will only be available in limited number to DH racers for 2008, so apply now for a chance to get your grubby mitts on one!
Update: Thanks to Valerio188 for the complete bike pic at the top done in photoshop... great work.more information here http://bansheebikes.blogspot.com/search/label/Legend
