The Most Interesting Bike at Outdoor Demo - Interbike 2017

Sep 20, 2017
by Richard Cunningham  
Pardus prototype Interbike 2017


Pardus showed a wild looking prototype carbon fiber 29er at Outdoor Demo with a 130-millimeter-travel suspension system that is totally enclosed in the frame. Its shock is nested inside the oversize, semi-rectangular downtube and operated by a linkage beneath the bottom bracket shell. A removable carbon cover that doubles as a bash guard conceals the shock, while allowing for quick access to make adjustments. The low-slung suspension configuration makes room for full sized water bottles within the front triangle and keeps the mass of the bike lower than most. The yet unnamed AM/trail bike is said to weigh between 25 and 26 pounds and is in final testing phases. Reportedly, Pardus will introduce the new machine to North American retailers as early as Spring, 2018.


Pardus prototype Interbike 2017


Unless you work for a well-known bike brand, you probably haven't heard the Pardus name before. It's a relatively small (by Asian standards) carbon frame and component maker that produces some of the best quality products in China for select OEM customers - brands which are on the tips of many rider's tongues. Some time ago, Pardus decided that they should launch their own range of elite-level mountain bikes.

The designer that they selected to flesh out their first trail bike was Steve Domahidy - the man who co-founded Niner Bikes and more recently, launched his own brand. He also works as a hired gun for bike makers in need of expertise. The collaboration between Pardus and Domahidy has given birth to the futuristic looking long-travel trail bike that will surely turn some heads.
Pardus prototype Interbike 2017
Not a motor, just a tidy place to package a shock and its linksge.

Pardus prototype Interbike 2017
A "Swap Drop" chip in the rear dropouts adapts the geometry for 27.5 Plus wheels.
Pardus prototype Interbike 2017
The brake caliper mount is linked to the left-side chip to maintain rotor alignment.

Pardus prototype Interbike 2017
A plug covers the power input for the soon-to-come Fox Live Valve X2 shock.
Pardus prototype Interbike 2017
Cable ports are molded to minimize housing and hose lengths.

Pardus prototype Interbike 2017
The shock's quick-detach protective cover is carbon fiber.
Pardus prototype Interbike 2017
This prototype used a RockShox Super Deluxe shock. Reportedly. the frame will accept a number of dampers.
Pardus trailbike interbike 2017
The single-pivot swingarm operates two links to compress the shock. The pivot for the internal rocker is forward of the bottom bracket.





Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

193 Comments
  • 421 7
 Is E-biking so popular we're making normal bikes look like e-bikes to fit in?
  • 54 16
 The eBike scene is still in its infancy and finding it's feet. It still needs time to define itself. There was a time when everything DH tried to look MX.
  • 7 1
 to right you are!
  • 6 25
flag zorba73 (Sep 20, 2017 at 5:10) (Below Threshold)
 @IllestT: No.
  • 38 0
 Thought it was an e-bike at first. Woof.
  • 10 1
 I would swear this was an ebike, so much so that I skipped down to the comments and read this one, so it all because clear, thanks! Big Grin
  • 22 1
 Corporate: How do we get them to accept ebikes?

Shill: First we get them used to the oversized frame design, we introduce a normal bike with an unnecessary guard around the shock, which looks exactly like our prototype ebike.

Corporate: $)
  • 7 1
 now we can say; it looks like Ebike....
  • 22 1
 I really want my bike to look like an Ebike, said no one ever
  • 14 0
 If you buy this, everyone is going to think it's an E-bike and hate you.
  • 4 1
 @JustJ: E-bike with Eagle what a waste that would be!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 3 0
 here today gone...later today
  • 11 4
 What if Honda makes RN01-E and says that RN01 was a program for developing E-bikes. For many of us, the world will never be the same... it will be like realizing that Megan Fox was a trans dude.
  • 5 3
 @Rasterman: Accept? Cute - they've already been accepted. Pinkbike commenters don't represent mountain bikers.
  • 5 0
 @Rasterman: yes, this is a gateway bike.... Use two layers of tinfoil bud.
  • 2 1
 @whisper06: I'm, try reading.... It's not an eBike
  • 5 5
 All this pissing and moaning about ebikes has officially ruined the comment sections for me. Get over it and do your own thing. Let's focus on something really stupid like long boarding or SUP.....just kidding big board lovers Wink
  • 1 3
 @aroundpg: I f*ckED A FAT CHICK ONCE
  • 244 2
 IS THAT ENOUGH WATER BOTTLE SPACE FOR YOU PEOPLE?!
  • 49 25
 It looks like the bottle was the main driver to design suspension layout and the frame.... this is rediculous... Iast bottle cage I used in my bike was in 1998. What the heck is that "bottle cage" hype about......?
  • 24 4
 @endor: It's Enduro, bro!
  • 9 3
 @DHMF: OMG, I am not enduro enough...;-)
  • 8 1
 @endor: Haha seems so, you need to step up your enduro game Wink
  • 18 1
 @endor: In the colder months when it gets dark early it is nice to be able to ditch the pack and just ride with bottles only on short after work rides. Also, on super long unsupported days it keeps you from having to carry 5 Liters of water on your back....
  • 7 0
 @Will1848: too true about quick rides. I resisted initially because you feel like a total tourist with a bottle on an enduro bike, but it just makes sense.
  • 15 0
 you can fit a barrel in there at craft beer drinking hipster enduro riders demand.
  • 26 0
 @endor: with a name like yours, clearly you have not gone full enduro
  • 1 0
 Cabin size water bottle.
  • 16 2
 WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "YOU PEOPLE"?!!
  • 3 1
 @hllclmbr: Pretty sure he meant "you people on the other side of the ocean who don't ride bikes that look like ebikes".
Or possibly just "people other than himself"....
  • 10 1
 @endor: i must be dumb, i still carry a camel pack for the long rides. i don't like taking my hands off the bars for that long to reach down, take a drink, and put the bottle back! besides, in my neck of the woods, if you are using a bottle on a MTB bike, you will be drinking dirt!
  • 7 1
 @endor: Whenever possible, I avoid wearing a backpack. As long as my ride is short enough for one bottle to be sufficent, I pack a sparetube plus tools in a small bag to the frame.
Therefore, if a frame has no space for a bottlecage, I am not going to buy it. Why should I, if there's plenty of other great competitors, that manage to offer both?
There's some other people around, that actually care about it, so I wouldn't call it ridiculous.
  • 3 0
 Hum, I think I can fit a keg in there....
  • 3 0
 @robbienroll: Mini keg for sure. You may be onto something!
  • 6 2
 @SvenG: Not buying an otherwise criteria meeting bike because of something like this IS ridiculous. There are many other ways to put a water bottle on a bike. Just go to the road bike section of your favorite store and browse. Or, get creative and fab up your own.

I ran bottles for a lot of years. Got tired of it. Muddy mouth pieces due to location, difficult to pull out of fully frames, never enough on hot days, and you still have to have some sort of under seat pack crammed with trail side essentials. With my pack, I carry as much water as I think I need, spare tube, tire tool, multi tool, pump, snacks, a place to put trail maps, phones, keys, etc. All in one convenient location!
  • 4 0
 @endor: On long backcountry rides a water bottle carries a sports drink or mix to supplement my water. I'd never put that stuff in my hydration pack. Plus, yeah, as others have said, quick after work rides of 10 miles or less.
  • 7 0
 @Poulsbojohnny:
Why should that be ridiculous?
Simple question: As someone who cares about it, why sould I buy a a frame, that doesn't fit a bottle, if there's 10 different frames in the same category, that ride just as good, cost the same AND provide space for a bottle?

Obiously I wouldn't pick a crappy frame over a great one, just because of this, but as long as there are frames making both possible without sacrifice, I see no reason.

A lot of I my riding is about 1-2 hours. For such a short time, a single bottle is enough, my phone and keys are in my pockets and the spare tube + multitool is in a seat pack thats tightly attached to my seattube & top tube due to my dropper post, without any rattling or getting in the way. My pump is mounted to my bottle cage aswell.
Furthermore, even if I am on a longer ride, wearing a backpack, the bottle means almost a liter less on my back.
My fullsuspension trailbike lets me fit a regular bottle without any issues and I would not want to miss it.
  • 2 0
 @SvenG: finally, logic. Well said
  • 61 1
 "HEY! GET YOUR E-BIKE OFF THE TRAILS!!!"

"For the thousandth time, IT'S NOT AN E-Bike."
  • 6 0
 "Not an e-bike" would be a better name than "Pardus" IMO. Maybe "NoMoPed"
  • 3 1
 @sngltrkmnd: No-Mo-Pedo be da name
  • 3 0
 "Pardus for the look of my bike, I promise it's not an E-bike"
  • 48 3
 Fake e-news!!
  • 40 0
 Boldcycles from Switzerland is doing that for a long time boldcycles.com
  • 3 0
 Yes, very nice and clean design and while it probably makes every stolz Schwitzer's heart tick they should have gone for more popular shocks IMO.
  • 8 0
 But Boldcycles's Linkin Trail looks nicer to me. This one here looks a bit forced.
  • 5 0
 And they look significantly better than this oddity.
  • 1 1
 But bold hid the shock i place it didn't really need to be hid while on this bike they put the shock where it for sure needs protection. Different concept drivers. I like this a lot more because it is less a gimmick.
  • 3 0
 It looks as much as a Bold Linkin as much as it looks like an Evil Following
  • 3 0
 I really like the way Bold Cycles did their designs. I really don't like the way Pardus has approached the same idea. But what's the point of hiding the rear shock?
  • 1 0
 @feeblesmith: great point. Hopefully low center of balance will help it ride/continue better
  • 35 0
 For people who want all the hate of emtb without the performance of am emtb!
  • 21 0
 For real though, is there a benefit to hiding the rear suspension? Looks like a bitch to clean.
  • 2 0
 Haha, I like your style.
  • 4 0
 And make adjustments
  • 9 1
 I imagine there is even a downside which is a hot shock that's unable to air cool itself
  • 12 0
 To be fair the shock shouldn't get that dirty if it's stowed away in its own coffin. It would be a pain in the ass for making adjustments with a regular shock, but if it's going to be stocked with a Fox in the box with a 'Live valve' them maybe it will take care of most of the adjustments on its own. However something about this bike makes me think that it will be owned by the type of person that will not be getting it dirty and won't be tinkering with their shock very often...
  • 1 1
 @dingus: with a hole on the bottom to fit the piggyback you are guaranteed to have a shitload of mud cramming in there and almost impossible to clean out...
  • 3 0
 and your local mechanic will be soooo happy.....
  • 2 0
 @mollow: I guess it depends how well sealed the orange codpiece is.
  • 1 1
 @dingus: yeah I love having to carry tools at the bike wash
  • 1 0
 coming off an SB-66c I swore to never get another bike with 'internal components'
  • 3 0
 @colincolin: www.planetmountainbike.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bold-Cycles-Linkin-Trail-full-susp-hidden-shock-frame-3-600x369.jpg
Bold Cycles did it clever, the purple lines shows air flow through the frame to the shock.
  • 1 0
 Benefits: removable skid plate keeps it clean, less maintenance/rebuilds. Low center of gravity, compatible with 2019 FOX live Valve which will have multiple cables coming off of it... Now all neatly tucked away inside the frame.
  • 23 2
 that must be a heck of a boring show if the most interesting bike is a single pivot 29er.
  • 8 3
 *ugly single pivot 29er with a dated geometry and a non sense hidden shock.
Yeah for the first time I feel sorry for RC
  • 16 0
 u can hide a motor in there to and win races.
  • 3 0
 Clever
  • 2 0
 The Italians already hide it in the seatpost so no worries there.
  • 16 2
 Looks like one of those mopeds :-D
  • 13 0
 Yo dawg, we heard you like brake caliper mounts so we put a brake caliper mount on your brake caliper mount
  • 1 0
 x 2 the z
  • 12 0
 Nice cleaning looking bike, until I scrolled down to see an abomination holing the rear caliper on.
  • 4 0
 That caliper arrangement on the rear is a real mess. Why not a single machined or cast piece? Looks like an afterthought.
  • 1 0
 It's so you can remove one to adjust to 27.5 plus.
  • 10 0
 All that effort in design and they just stick two brake mounts on top of each other, what a mess.
  • 8 0
 I simply see a quicker way to over-heat a shock
  • 1 0
 I like the idea of having the shock sealed away from the elements, but was also wondering how this design would acheive ventilation.
  • 3 0
 @excavator666: Put in a lil frozen slushie in a bag at the top, enjoy a refreshing drink on the climb back up?
  • 2 2
 if you're out in the sun on a hot day (which is when you'd worry most out it over heating) i'd argue that a white frame would keep it cooler hidden in the box. Pretty much all shocks are black and absorb the sun getting pretty hot before you even go riding.
  • 1 0
 @maglor: But you get no air flow and that's what matters the most.
  • 2 0
 @maglor: Sure were just plagued with things heating up from absorbing sunlight in the UK and Ireland.

Sure it's a wonder everything's not on fire, on account of how we have soooo much sunlight over here!!
  • 1 0
 @excavator666: Yer its not exactly an issue here and the box will stop all the mud getting at it but @YoKev is in California, i was also thinking when i go to the alps, once had helitape melt off my black frame in France, thought the carbon might melt!
  • 7 0
 Clickbait for PB commenters on an e-bike lookout.
  • 5 1
 Title should be
"The ugliest bike at outdoor demo"

Stop making freaking bicycles look like morotcycles, that is only appealing to age group 6-12.

Can't imagine setting up sag on this no-sense two wheels thing.
  • 1 0
 Final version has window so your friend... I'm sure you have one, can tell you where to set sag
  • 5 0
 Not for the uk thats for sure, no mud clearance there at all, 10 yards and it'll be clogged.
  • 3 0
 Mud and stones jammed between link and bb .... I give it 10 minutes in a Scottish winter or summer before a hole is bashed in the frame around the bb.
  • 5 4
 Typical Pinkbike crybabies....... Nothing e-bike related, yet all the whingers come crawling out to say it looks like one (even though it just looks like a bike with a big BB area) and regurgitate the same nonsensical beliefs and 'facts' about them.


And you all moan about the site going downhill nowadays? Maybe look at yourselves first.
  • 4 3
 And then there are the reactionary, pro-ebike folk who also emit sounds akin to whining.
  • 2 1
 @mammal: If you are talking about reactionary folk to begin with then is it really reactionary though, or just a reply?

Also I fail to see where in that post I said anything 'pro e-bike'..... I said stuff about the people whinging about them, but if you think those two are exclusive then you need to have a think about things.
  • 3 1
 @mgolder: Sorry. Perhaps you're not pro-ebike, but you're certainly whining about whining, so that qualifies as whining squared, in my opinion.

My apologies for painting you with the pro-ebike brush.
  • 1 0
 @mammal: I'm finding the ebike bashing is becoming comical. A bit like if you keep saying the same thing enough it eventually becomes funny.
  • 1 0
 Actually, it is good to see a clean bike that would screw with peoples minds. Is it an e-bike? Is it a hardtail? It is really a cool concept and looks pretty awesome. Good to see something different coming to light (although there are others, I agree...this is something interesting. I'd ride this to see how it compares to my RM Thunderbolt and my Transition Scout.
  • 4 0
 What kind of a person buys a bike that looks like an e-bike, but isn't?
  • 2 0
 The kind of person that is concerned with function and quality over appearance?
  • 1 0
 @slovespa: And how many of those are there buying new bicycles?
  • 1 0
 boy howdy...if this is the most interesting thing at outdoor demo which totally resembles an e-bike, but isn't..then gag me with a spoon if that's the best you've got Pinkbike and the mountain bike world
  • 3 0
 Soon as I saw that rear triangle I thought it was a Niner. And since when is 130mm considered "long-travel"?
  • 2 0
 Agreed. Wasn't PB just touting the arrival of long-travel 29ers earlier in the week with the coverage of X-Fusion's new fork?
  • 2 0
 It's got 135mm of travel and the "long" word came from the author not PARDUS
  • 1 0
 The most interesting part of this design to me is that "swap drop" dropout, future-proofing against changing axle standards? Like Salsa's swings plates on the El Mariachi and other frames
  • 1 0
 We designed this DH frame concept in early 2016. Looks familiar in some details. Especially the hidden shock with a cover and the headset area.
www.cre8-designstudio.com/portfolio_ID_detail.php?pid=383&pyear=2016
  • 3 0
 "He also works as a hired gun for bike makers in need of expertise."

Shouldn't bike makers already have 'expertise'?
  • 4 0
 -clicks on article -NO. . . . -oh, that's not an E-bike
  • 1 0
 At first I was excited because I thought it was a gear box bike paired with eagle - not sure what I would use that much range for, but at least it would have been fun to talk about. This feels a bit blah to me.
  • 1 0
 I need to see a schematic of how that suspension arm pushes the shock. Looks like a design that would need a pull shock. I imagine it will get mistaken for an bike a lot on the trails though.
  • 1 0
 Curtis, I have an animated video of linkage I can send you.
  • 2 0
 Very futuristic looking but it looks way to much like an E-bike. I would never be caught riding this outside. People would hate me as soon as they take a glance at it lol
  • 5 2
 Looks like an e-bike, that kind of sucks.
  • 1 0
 Sorry you don't like the design. I have had to explain to a lot of people that it's not an e-bike. It would be courteous of you to wait at the top of the hill to tell the people you passed on the way up that it's just an internal rear shock.
  • 1 0
 This prototype used a RockShox Monarch Plus shock. Reportedly. the frame will accept a number of dampers. See the Super Deluxe RTR.
  • 3 0
 Nice hardtail ????????????
  • 3 2
 Ironic that all those who blindly type hate at e-bikes are now hating on a bike just because it looks like an e-bike...
  • 1 0
 @obidog thank you
  • 1 0
 Hopefully pinkbike does a ride review on this bike soon. It looks like a smart design; I would love to read about how it rides.
  • 1 1
 Just FYI, Pardus is the brand under Taishan Sports, which is a major international comprehensive sports supplier in many areas. As mentioned in the article, it manufacture carbon fibre bikes for many big brands.
  • 2 0
 Poor guy who takes this on the trail is going to get harassed like there's no tomorrow.
  • 1 0
 Does is come with a t-shirt that boldly says IT'S NOT AN E-BIKE? Or maybe a sticker on the shock housing that says SHOCK INSIDE?
  • 2 0
 I thought e-bike when I first looked at it. Interesting concept though.
  • 3 0
 stay thirsty my friends
  • 1 0
 lmao
  • 1 0
 This makes me really, *really* appreciate the simplicity of my steel hardtail.
  • 1 0
 I thought it was an e-bike, then found it wasn't. Something new and interesting , please!
  • 1 0
 Whoever rides this bike on the trails is going to get pelted with rocks. 'Bra...it's not an e-bike!!!! I swear!!!'
  • 1 0
 Maybe we'll throw in an "it's not an e-bike bike" t-shirt for you ????
  • 2 0
 Small top tube, big down tube makes Homer go crazy.
  • 2 0
 Incoming fox live valve X2 shock ????????????
  • 1 0
 2019. It has sensors that will help adjust your shock behavior. Lots of wires... Neatly tucked into frame.
  • 2 0
 Can't fit 4 water bottles.
  • 2 0
 maybe there is a dry ice compartment somewhere
  • 1 0
 "yet unnamed AM/trail bike".... It's says "Cyclone" on the seatmast. ಠ_ಠ
  • 2 1
 Hmm, kinda Marin-esque. Not in a good way.
  • 1 0
 I thought it was a Marin at 1st
  • 2 1
 Very difficult find a bike ugliest than this...
  • 3 2
 I like it! Looks like a carbon Ancilloti. Pity its a 29r thogh.
  • 2 0
 Really? I don't see it myself. The Ancillotti is an over-complicated, retro styled work of art, this thing to me has the stylistic appeal of a 2003 Ford Fiesta.
Working with CF means you can get smooth flowing lines and blended radii, and avoid the hard angles that concentrate stress flow in materials
  • 1 1
 first thing i thought !( Not the pity)
  • 1 0
 Takes 27.5 too, boosted hubs
  • 2 1
 Thats worst bike that i saw in my life
  • 1 0
 Is it just me or is there no way to measure sag on this bike?
  • 1 0
 I dig the concept but why is the head tube so ugly?
  • 1 0
 Head tube has an angular look because once FOX live valve is installed many cables will be running to front shuck to tell rear shock what to do next. Those internal cable outlets are lined up perfectly for that. Thanks for asking!
  • 1 0
 Reminds me of the old GT Fury predecessor (DHi).
  • 1 0
 When I blowup my shock now the oil won't spray me, I like it!
  • 1 0
 looks like a nightmare to wrench on
  • 2 1
 sweet. carbon design does not have to follow alloy .love it
  • 3 3
 How many pairs of spandex tights and Bolle sunglasses do you have to own, to buy a bike designed around a dam water bottle?
  • 2 0
 Not to mention all those razor burns from leg shaving
  • 1 0
 Lol, I thought we designed it around fun... And the 2019 FOX live valve.. And a clean protected shock.. And internal cable routing... And boosted hub spacing... And a65.5 head tube angle... And a super long dropper post.... And a low center of gravity... And yes, it has room for a big water bottle.
  • 1 0
 @slovespa: It looks like an e-bike, hence it will be an instant no-go for a lot of people. I really don't see the need for a protected shock, if anything i'd want as much airflow as possible for an air shock to help it from overheating on long runs.
  • 1 0
 Have fun cleaning this thing....
  • 2 0
 If Robocop had a bike!?
  • 2 1
 Doesn't look like a Session!
  • 2 0
 wow, one ugly rig
  • 1 0
 Sorry you don't like the looks, maybe you'll like the ride.
  • 1 0
 Checks calendar....not April first.
  • 2 0
 Oh, we're no fools.
  • 1 0
 Hope there's fan to cool that enclosed shock on a hot day or long descent.
  • 1 0
 Not enough added complexity. Needs a Helm up front.
  • 1 0
 Why does it still have a derailleur on it?
  • 1 0
 Talk about low center of gravity! @beeboo
  • 1 0
 Definitely! I don't think you can get much lower that this
  • 1 0
 At least there's room for a growler cage...
  • 1 0
 This bike is ugly. Maybe in 1500 it would look nice.
  • 1 0
 A boid design !!!
  • 1 0
 why?
  • 1 0
 Pardus 250 cc
  • 1 0
 looks like a trek
  • 1 0
 Nice and light!
  • 1 0
 Thanks, we think it's very light, and the super short chain stay is nice too.
  • 1 0
 It's pregnat
  • 1 0
 dat tire clearance
  • 1 1
 Lol that shock must over heat
  • 1 1
 Cool bike... but I like to see my shock go "squish, squish, squish"
  • 2 0
 Sorry you won't see the squishes, but the low center of gravity and all the times you don't ruin your seals might make up for it.
  • 1 0
 10/10 would not ride
  • 1 0
 Looks like session.
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