In an article by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, Dave Weagle announced that he is not going to renew the licensing agreement with Iron Horse Bikes after it expires on March 31, 2009. Iron Horse has been using the patented DW Link, invented by Weagle, on many of their models for several years running. Currently, the DW Link suspension design is licensed with Pivot, Independent Fabrication and Ibis with, according to the article, a forth company being announced next month.
Iron Horse will make the move to Ellsworth’s ICT linkage for their 2010 lineup.
Tony had this to say about the partnership:
The folks at Iron Horse share my vision for building bikes with real, proven suspension technology, rather then concocting some gimmick to market for another few years before the next new gimmick. The ICT system will improve efficiency, traction control, bump absorption and overall ride quality.
Ellsworth and Iron Horse agree that the sport of mountain biking grows when folks have a fabulous ride experience on great performing frame designs. ICT-equipped full suspension designs perform better, have more energy and great comfort, traction and control then any other suspension design,” Ellsworth said. “We believe folks having that level of experience will ride more and tell a friend, and there will be more folks riding bikes, promoting health and appreciating our planet in an environmentally responsible and healthy way.
Product manager for Iron Horse, Brad Accettella, had this to say:
This is a very exciting time for our product development department. We are looking forward to creating unique frame platforms that carry forward Iron Horse’s renowned ride characteristics. The goal is to incorporate the key qualities from our existing models with benefits of the ICT system. We are committed to produce well-engineered, World Cup quality performance bikes.
To add to the changes at Iron Horse, chief executive officer Cliff Weidberg announced earlier this summer that would pull out of the independent bicycle dealer channel. As of Sept. 1, Iron Horse will sell its high-end bikes exclusively the Randall Scott Cycle Company, an online outlet with a showroom in Boulder, Colorado.
It looks like there are a lot of changes on the horizon for the Iron Horse World Cup team. This also adds even more power to the Ellsworth racing program by bringing on the top name in downhill racing, Sam Hill. It is going to be interesting to see the bike lineup out of Iron Horse with the new linkage and the feedback the racers have on the design.