Cascade Components and Williams Racing Products are two brands in the business of manufacturing aftermarket linkage kits riders can use to change the feel of their bike’s suspension to better suit their weight and/or riding style. If you have already tried a range of shock pressures, spring rates, or even shocks, and are still frustrated with your bike’s suspension settings and performance, these aftermarket links can transform the ride of your bike. (Read our reviews of the Transition Sentinel and Specialized Turbo LEVO Cascade links here)
Cascade Components took things to an all-new level with their new Stumpjumper 15 High Pivot Conversion Kit. This upgrade reimagines the Stumpjumper 15 as a high pivot suspension design with a rearward axle path and idler.
High pivot bikes add complexity and weight, making them more popular for applications like gravity racing, but add a lot of suspension performance. Machining all those parts adds up, making the aftermarket kit almost the price of a bike frame ($1995.00).
The folks at Cascade Components acknowledged this, stating that the kit was more of an experiment to show off their engineering and manufacturing capacity, limiting the release to 20 units. It was successful too, catching the eye of many at the expo at last week’s Sea Otter Classic.
In addition to suspension linkages, Cascade Components has also begun offering chain guides, brake parts, and a stem.
Learn more at CascadeComponents.bike.
WRP/Williams Racing Products
Williams Racing Products manufactures links with a focus on helping riders convert their bikes to 27.5 rear wheels, also known as a mullet or MX configuration. The mullet yoke offering for the Stumpjumper EVO is far and beyond the Mullet link Specialized sells. Unlike the OEM Stumpy mullet link that makes the bike less progressive (making it bottom out easily), the WRP link provides a more progressive leverage curve with a 27.5 rear wheel.
They’ve expanded their offerings to include a Mullet Clevis for the Stumpjumper 15 as well as mullet links for the Norco VLT, Commencal Meta, Ibis Ripmo, Specialized Enduro and other popular models.
Check them out at WilliamsRacingProducts.com