Forget Dropper Posts, Black Math Bike Created a Dropper Frame
Every once in a while a press release comes through that makes us take a double (or triple) take. That's the case with this announcement from Black Math Bikes. The Polish company has apparently created a bike with a handlebar mounted remote that turns it from 140mm trail bike into a 170mm descending machine. There's no traditional dropper post - instead, the top tube moves down to get out of the way for the descent.
It's certainly unlike anything currently on the market - read on for Black Math's description of their creation.- Mike Kazimer
![Photo by szachimat https www.blackmath.bike]()
![Photo by szachimat https www.blackmath.bike]()
PRESS RELEASE: Black Math Bikes
Black Math Bike is a bunch of geeks with deep roots in the bike industry. We're passionate about reimagining bicycles for a better future. Black Math Bikes focuses on innovation, sustainability, and quality in our low-key approach to cycling improvement.
We introduce the precisely crafted kinematic system that allows you to change your bike from an efficient 140mm travel trail bike to a 170mm travel shred weapon on the run.
How does it work?
The Upturn Dropper is controlled with a regular thumb-operated lever. Still, instead of a classic telescopic seat post, it uses a set of links located at the top tube end, creating a virtual pivot point system.
![Photo by szachimat https www.blackmath.bike]()
![Photo by szachimat https www.blackmath.bike]()
This allowed us to precisely design the movement of the seat, including the change of the angle. But the real magic began when we integrated seat adjustment kinematics with the four-bar Horst Link suspension. Now, we can adjust the geometry and suspension performance due to the change of seat position.
Lowering the seat sets the whole bike in descent mode - the head angle becomes slacker, the bottom bracket drops, and the suspension attains 170mm of travel with a 33% progression rate. Raising the seat transitions into climb mode - steeper head angle, higher bottom bracket (and clearance), and reduced suspension travel to 140mm. A shorter travel with the same shock setup results in less sag and a firmer suspension feel, providing stable support during intense pedalling. It's like combining the benefits of Aenomaly Switchgrade, Flip-chip, and Climb-switch, but without any extra effort. You use the dropper as always and enjoy a bike that offers unmatchable possibilities!
![Photo by szachimat https www.blackmath.bike]()
![Photo by szachimat]()
Meet GCode frame:
GCode - a standardized language for recording commands for CNC devices. The bike's name pays homage to the contemporary craftsmanship of the 21st century, indicating our dedication to technical perfection, precision, and the highest quality.
Key features:
We start shipping preorders in the beginning of 2024 season, but first of all, we want to triple check on everything to make you smile while unpacking the box!
![Photo by szachimat]()
![Photo by szachimat]()
Why CNC?
Due to the frame geometry adjustment, it consists of smaller parts connected through bearings and screws. This type of design is well-suited for low-volume production using CNC machines.
It offers us several advantages:
Technical:
Ultimate overall precision.
We can use the unweldable 7075 alloys, nearly twice as strong as the alloys used for welded aluminum frames.
We can precisely manage the compliance of the construction structures. Downtube uses adhesive joints to improve the torsional stiffness of the front end.
![szachimat]()
![szachimat]()
Quality:
By eliminating manual technological processes, we reduce the possibility of errors caused by human factors. This reduces the risk of quality issues.
In-house production gives us control over every aspect of production.
![szachimat]()
![szachimat]()
Environmental:
Frame divided into smaller components reduces the consumption of large aluminum blocks compared to other CNC technology frame producers.
We produce locally, in Poland.
We use highly recyclable materials.
Splitting the frame into smaller components makes repairs easier after damage.
We can ensure the availability of spare parts.
For a deeper dive into our mindset and offer - please jump into our website or follow us on social media for monthly updates! We are all ears for you, so don't hesitate to contact Black Math Bikes!
It's certainly unlike anything currently on the market - read on for Black Math's description of their creation.- Mike Kazimer
GCode is 2 in 1 MTB frame. Simple as that
PRESS RELEASE: Black Math Bikes
 | Writing it truly feels unreal, but I have just fulfilled my childhood dream of running my own bike company. When I signed up for this Pinkbike account, I was a typical Eastern Europe dirt jumping kid, who loved the thrill of riding sketchy jumps all over Poland, making friends on the road, and drawing my first bikes. Long story short, we are 15 years later, I made a degree in design and worked on multiple bikes for different companies and a few for myself, but two years ago I started a project - Black Math. Along with a few friends from the dirt jumping period, we teamed up, gathered funds from the EU startups program and here we are with a GCode - a bike frame that will turn heads on the trail! This project sat in my head for far too long, and after riding it, I can once again say: that my dream came true! Designed and produced in Poland, rides way beyond my imagination and does not look like a Session. Let's go! |
Black Math Bike is a bunch of geeks with deep roots in the bike industry. We're passionate about reimagining bicycles for a better future. Black Math Bikes focuses on innovation, sustainability, and quality in our low-key approach to cycling improvement.
We introduce the precisely crafted kinematic system that allows you to change your bike from an efficient 140mm travel trail bike to a 170mm travel shred weapon on the run.
How does it work?
The Upturn Dropper is controlled with a regular thumb-operated lever. Still, instead of a classic telescopic seat post, it uses a set of links located at the top tube end, creating a virtual pivot point system.
This allowed us to precisely design the movement of the seat, including the change of the angle. But the real magic began when we integrated seat adjustment kinematics with the four-bar Horst Link suspension. Now, we can adjust the geometry and suspension performance due to the change of seat position.
Lowering the seat sets the whole bike in descent mode - the head angle becomes slacker, the bottom bracket drops, and the suspension attains 170mm of travel with a 33% progression rate. Raising the seat transitions into climb mode - steeper head angle, higher bottom bracket (and clearance), and reduced suspension travel to 140mm. A shorter travel with the same shock setup results in less sag and a firmer suspension feel, providing stable support during intense pedalling. It's like combining the benefits of Aenomaly Switchgrade, Flip-chip, and Climb-switch, but without any extra effort. You use the dropper as always and enjoy a bike that offers unmatchable possibilities!
The frame opens and closes on the separate gas chamber hidden under our prototype piece of cloth
Meet GCode frame:
GCode - a standardized language for recording commands for CNC devices. The bike's name pays homage to the contemporary craftsmanship of the 21st century, indicating our dedication to technical perfection, precision, and the highest quality.
Key features:
We start shipping preorders in the beginning of 2024 season, but first of all, we want to triple check on everything to make you smile while unpacking the box!
| At BlackMathBikes, we're more than just a niche MTB business. We're passionate local riders pushing the boundaries of innovation. With our 'GCode' Frame, we challenge the industry to rethink what a mountain bike can be. We believe in critical innovation to create a better riding experience |
Why CNC?
Due to the frame geometry adjustment, it consists of smaller parts connected through bearings and screws. This type of design is well-suited for low-volume production using CNC machines.
It offers us several advantages:
Technical:
Ultimate overall precision.
We can use the unweldable 7075 alloys, nearly twice as strong as the alloys used for welded aluminum frames.
We can precisely manage the compliance of the construction structures. Downtube uses adhesive joints to improve the torsional stiffness of the front end.
Quality:
By eliminating manual technological processes, we reduce the possibility of errors caused by human factors. This reduces the risk of quality issues.
In-house production gives us control over every aspect of production.
Environmental:
Frame divided into smaller components reduces the consumption of large aluminum blocks compared to other CNC technology frame producers.
We produce locally, in Poland.
We use highly recyclable materials.
Splitting the frame into smaller components makes repairs easier after damage.
We can ensure the availability of spare parts.
For a deeper dive into our mindset and offer - please jump into our website or follow us on social media for monthly updates! We are all ears for you, so don't hesitate to contact Black Math Bikes!
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I think its great,
keep building cool things and putting it on the internet. Big props from me!
Can we call it
Maximum Supre Deluxe Engineering?!
Ill see myself out....
Shame on you, @mi-bike , look what you've done. . .
The next day, when she was telling her BFF the story, her friend asked, "well, how was it?"
"meh, it didn't last long. They were Russian, 2 Finnish."
Man, I really want to ride this bike to see how it feels and where exactly that saddle nose is pointed.
Maybe someone could come in with a challenge of simplicity, so that we don't end up with 10 bar linkage suspension in 2040?
Maybe those of you who are so closed minded about this need some G43.
Good luck Black Math, I'd G73 it.
M02
It’s the first bike to live up to being innovative and new in years.
My only worries are that the gubbins under the cloth better be well sealed because its right in the line of fire from the back wheel
Im getting cybertruck vibes from the raw finish and angles on frame tubes (tho Aleksander sounds way less of a bellend than the guy behind that)
Not hating on this bike at all btw, I actually think it's really f***ing cool with clearly impressive engineering and creative people behind it. I'd love to try it out. Just saying it isn't suited for every type of ride/terrain you might use an enduro rig for. But they know that. They even describe themselves as a niche MTB business. So more power to them. I hope they make it and I get to see one in the wild someday!
subscribed to the news letter, I hope it will actually come out!
"The bike's name pays homage to the contemporary craftsmanship of the 21st century, indicating our dedication to technical perfection, precision, and the highest quality."
That being said, this whole concept opens up an entirely different can of worms in regards to geometry, dynamic weight distribution, linkage rate, shock tune, etc. I haven't yet made up my mind wheter this is even a good idea to begin with. There's a lot of stars that would have to align in order to make this bike handle well in both modes.
Also I think I would have preferred a bike with a more conventional, non-adjustable layout -- but constructed in the same way as this, with CNC'd and bonded tubes of AL 7075. That would probably have been a more popular approach.
Must be the gobble warming.
Why didn't they go with short link rear suspension with another linkage actuating the shock against top tube?
Also lists the "dropper" as having 200mm travel.
Reminds me of my old pull-shock Jekyll, trigger actuated travel and geo adjustment. Still less complicated than TwinLock.
I would give one a demo for sure!
"Don't make me go get the bike"
Reminds md of scott gambler 20.
And I love Nemo’s Frameworks.
There is no competition. Frameworks.
Now ask me about Gameaux and I’ll have a discussion.