VRVT

I ride and have ridden 3 different linkage forks from the mid to late 1990's. The AMP F4 carbon, the Lawwill Leader 3 and the last iteration of the Noleen. One the plus side linkage forks have a vertical travel axle path and far less stiction than a telescopic fork.Then when a telescopic fork travels, the wheel base gets shorter and the steering rake angle gets steeper, while the linkage fork does not. That said the linkage fork length of travel is limited. The linkage forks are also more active (read can travel) at a higher angle of attack than a telescopic fork. So even with 26" wheels they were known, in period, as "Big Hit" forks, especially the Lawwill Leader 3. The AMP F4 with 2.25" travel was less than 3 lbs and had provision for a disc brake. On the down side, the AMP F4 had Ohlins would be easily overwhelmed. Turn up the spring rate and the threads on the shock housing bend and thicker oil caused seals to blow out. The Lawwill worked well. It's only crime being weight and lack of travel. The Noleen had a electro-valve powered by a 9v battery and worked well. It's only crime being weight. The last issue is from the legal side, called patents. The "Horst Link" found acceptance because, I guess, it would not be expensive to get a license. However the Lawwill rear suspension design, I would argue, in either 4", 6" or 8" travel was and still is the best design ever. But that's another story. IMHO

I have two 4-Bangers and a Straight 6

Cool to see Juliana again after all this time. Lookin good.

RC is certainly a die hard. Didn't like rapidrise when "Shimano tried to reinvent the derailleur " (I believe that would be the quote ) that now given the option he'd still have the shifters work the opposite of each other.