Albatross Bikes Announces the Apogee Module

Aug 22, 2023 at 10:05
by whilgenb  
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Press Release: Albatross Bikes

We are excited to introduce the Apogee Module by Albatross Bikes. When we set out to design a new suspension system for our customers, we aimed to design a modular suspension frame that provides value to our customers for a decade and enables a high degree of customization. Our solution was the Apogee Module.

The idea of a Modular Platform grew from the frustration of ever changing standards in the bike industry. Designing for modularity allows the rider to change different parts of the frameset at different times, reducing both the cost to upgrade and the amount of waste created. All of this is backed by our 10-year Guarantee of Support meaning that you will be able to upgrade your 2024 frame to the latest electro-wizardry shifting gadget they come up with in 2034.
Apogee Module Details
• Material: Steel Front and Rear Subframes, 6061-T6 Suspension Module
• Intended Use: “Light” Enduro
• Rear Travel: 144mm
• Tire Clearance: 29 x 2.5”
• Frame Weight: 4.2kg (includes Enduro MaxHit Headset, thru-axle, derailleur hanger, w/o shock, Size L)
• Head Tube Angle: 64°
• Virtual Seat Tube Angle: 78°
• Reach: 470mm
• Rear Center: 440mm
• BB Drop: 32mm
• BB Spec: 73mm BSA
• Availability: Summer 2024
• 10-Year Support Guarantee
• albatrossbikes.com

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For our Module to achieve our performance goals, we designed our proprietary Full Float Kinematic. This compact kinematic platform lets us easily modify the suspension characteristics to suit the rider’s preferences. Air or coil, progressive or linear, poppy or planted, no matter what you are looking for, we can make it happen. This level of customization and adaptability means that as you improve, the bike can adapt to suit your new riding style. It also lets us provide the same high-quality riding experience to riders that aren’t the same size, weight, and ability as the fastest MTB product manager.

We’ve also partnered with Enduro Bearings and include MAX Hit bearings in every single pivot ensuring a long service life for the Apogee Module. We’ve recognized that any pivot is only as good as the bearings that it runs on and we wanted to provide that extra level of confidence that comes with the industry standard for bearings.

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Our Full Float Kinematic is also compact; reducing the size of the Apogee Module, lowering the center of gravity, and centralizing the weight distribution of the frame. The entire Module is roughly the size of a small bicycle water bottle meaning we can scale the front triangle down to fit smaller riders or even fit that same bicycle bottle inside the front triangle. Where it belongs. (At least in our opinion.)

The big question now is when will it be ready for sale? We are currently on the second round of prototypes and are targeting a Summer 2024 release of the frameset. We will have our second-round prototype at the MADE Show (Aug 25-27) so stop by our booth and say hi. Or, if you aren’t in Portland this week, sign up for our newsletter and receive monthly updates on the latest happenings with the Apogee Module. From ride testing to fatigue testing, to the final manufacturing sign offs and paint choice, we will bring you along for the entire process.

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Author Info:
whilgenb avatar

Member since Oct 3, 2014
1 articles
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151 Comments
  • 170 0
 Light Enduro. You mean Trailriding
  • 168 0
 They mean Medium All-Mountain
  • 115 0
 @howejohn: Heavy Down Country?
  • 51 0
 Down-Mountain?
  • 43 0
 @howejohn: So, Partial Mountain, then...?
  • 66 0
 "Light Treason."
  • 53 0
 @Fix-the-Spade: Heavy Down Country would be Light Trail. This is more like Extra-Extra Heavy Down Country. (Between Trail and Enduro.) It's equivalent to heavy Trail. Plain old Extra Heavy Down Country is equivalent to Trail. I hear they're going to introduce Light SuperEnduro next; it's a mullet park bike but with less tire pressure in the front for slightly less slack geo.
  • 12 0
 @Falcon991: Right, go it, I think. Can I get Fries with that?
  • 6 0
 If you weight more than 100kg, it becomes Light Trail riding
  • 45 0
 Dark Enduro was banned by the church in the 15th century.
  • 93 0
 Okay I think I've got it

Light XC - Gravel
XC - XC
Down Country - Light All Mountain
Trail - Trail, Heavy Down Country, Light All Mountain
All Mountain - Heavy Trail
Light Enduro - Heavy All Mountain
Super Enduro - Light DH
DH - DH
Hardline - Heavy DH

What'd I miss?
  • 86 0
 @thebradjohns:

I think you missed

Park
Super park
Super burly park
Pump
Dirt pump
Dirt jump pump
Pump jump park
BMX
DH with a bmx background
Enduro with an engineering background

and

bike riding
  • 22 0
 @Rattles:

"Michael, I may have committed some light treason"
  • 14 0
 @howejohn: Shmedium downduro
  • 5 0
 @thebradjohns: what about schralp and jibe - where do these fit in?
  • 6 0
 @thebradjohns: Regular Enduro
  • 1 0
 @Falcon991: In light sauce!
  • 3 0
 @thebradjohns: both trail and down country are rated Light All Mountain. Down country should be light trail
  • 3 0
 Woodsbiking
  • 2 0
 Let there be LIGHT ENDUROOOO!!!!
  • 8 0
 @handynzl: I prefer Most Mountain.
  • 2 0
 @thebradjohns: Is than the tracklist of the new @henryquinney album?
  • 4 0
 You are all wrong. Light Enduro means you can climb up all the Enduro trails, but it's not suitable for the descents.
  • 1 0
 Down duro bro........
  • 1 0
 Upduro?
  • 1 0
 @Falcon991: Down Country is already Light Trail. The Light is a modifier that brings Trail Down to the Country.
  • 2 0
 @thebradjohns: Lite Park DH
  • 2 0
 @KennyWatson: Some Mountain but Mostly Forest
  • 1 0
 @sngltrkmnd:

I remember, about 30 years ago, “woods bikes” was actually a niche.

I think they were for off trail rides?
  • 1 0
 @enis: @thebradjohns:

Super heavy duty jump aka Rampage
XC with a CX background
Joey with an armchair engineering background
  • 113 0
 I'm buying shares in threadlock
  • 11 0
 Don't forget bearings...buy stock in bearings.
  • 9 0
 @shirk-007: No, not really. At first I thought that too, but is actually a normal single pivot with link setup with 4 sets of bearings. The left „link“ is actually part of the rear triangle. Snd it is quite clever to habe the shock and the link all attached to those nice (hopefully forged) Aluminium brackets, so there is no huge shock load on the tubes. Because this is where cracks normally start, shock mount or link mount. And it is steel, which is amazeballs in the plastic century…
  • 11 0
 Light thread lock or heavy?
  • 3 0
 @naptime I'd like to report a murder.
  • 29 1
 "Light" enduro. So no night rides?
  • 11 0
 or perhaps ONLY night rides.....
  • 16 0
 Looks like creaky to me.

But really, I appreciate the innovation but for me it’s just too complicated. Looks cool!
  • 6 0
 Creak or Unique?
  • 1 1
 Yep. Same hear, but yet i have a yeti can’t really say that
  • 1 0
 @The-Spirit-of-Jazz: Uniquely creaky.
  • 10 0
 @Cooper09: "Yet I bought Yeti" a novel about lust, regret and ultimately redemption through off-the-top suppleness.
  • 1 0
 @The-Spirit-of-Jazz: hahahaha man that is great, “can he hold on through this fast paced race, join Sundays at 10:00 to find out”
  • 12 2
 sick bike


Corrosion Of Conformity - Albatross

Well, I'm feelin' left behind
Lord, what a waste of time?
They're gonna get you, run on
How can I respect your crime?
When all you criminals whine
They bought and sold you, run on, run on, yeah
Well, you can call me crazy
You can call me wrong, 'cause
See I was born a liar, albatross
Fly on, fly on
  • 2 0
 Good tune! Some OG fave list right there.
  • 3 0
 Song it reminded me of:

"The Albatross begins with its vengeance
A terrible curse, a thirst has begun
His shipmates blame bad luck on the Mariner
About his neck, the dead bird is hung! "
  • 2 0
 I was reminded of:

Man: Albatross! Albatross! Albatross!
Customer: Two choc-ices please.
Man: I haven't got choc-ices. I only got the albatross. Albatross!
Customer: What flavor is it?
Man: It's a bird, innit. It's a bloody sea bird . .. it's not any bloody flavor. Albatross!
Customer: Do you get wafers with it?
Man: Course you don't get bloody wafers with it. Albatross!
Customer: How much is it?
Man: Ninepence.
Customer: I'll have two please.
Man: Gannet on a stick!
  • 19 10
 Since I bought my first boost frame in 2017 I haven’t had a single standard change across 11 frames. 148mm Hubs, zs44/56 headsets, 31.6 seat posts, 73mm threaded bb’s, 180mm post brake mounts, have been the same on every frame I’ve bought for the last 6 years. Yes metric shocks became a thing, but frames normally come with shocks so that didn’t require that I find any new hardware. What ‘ever changing standards’ are they talking about? Proprietary doesn’t count as it’s your own fault for buying that brand.
  • 95 2
 If you've bought 11 frames in the last 6 years I guess you are not in their target market anyway..
  • 2 4
 And that's why the industry will come up with something soon Or maybe they are just too busy sellig ebikes which need just stronger engines an bigger batteries?
  • 3 1
 @andrewbmxmtb: uhh this bike looks 100% aimed at us nerds that switch frames every year.
  • 1 0
 Ssssh you'll tempt them to make a new standard
  • 3 1
 @succulentsausage: as an industry person, I may not switch bikes, but I definitely get the current model every year(or sooner. lol).

the standards thing is definitely slowing down. so at least that is good.
  • 18 0
 11 frames in 6 years, username checks out.
  • 11 0
 WTF is Light Enduro?
  • 10 0
 When you go trail riding, but "nah bro, it's enduro"
  • 1 0
 The industry is creating as many MTB categories as there are weight classes in boxing.
  • 16 0
 Trail riding with goggles.
  • 1 0
 @sfarnum: Enduro riding without goggles?
  • 2 0
 @LemonadeMoney: Nah that’s SuperTrail. It ain’t enduro without goggles.
  • 6 0
 Every 3D modelling/CAD system I know of doesn't have mud simulation. If they did, perhaps it would stop engineers from designing stuff that is only a good idea in Monitorland. I ride my bike in Mudland, I need a bike with a low mud to bike transfer coefficient.
  • 8 2
 Finally, a bike with even more screws and aluminum holes. I hope the screws are aluminum too. And with any luck, they’re all sizes you can’t buy at a normal store. Saaawwweeeeet!!
  • 7 2
 There are 3 categories of mountain bikes, and 3 categories only. If you don’t agree with me, you are wrong.

XC-Lightweight racing mountain bikes.
Trail-Solid built bikes made for riding. 120mm of travel and up. A Specialized Enduro can be a fun trail bike, a Tallboy is a trail bike. Some people want more travel, some people want less. Most bikes are “Trail” bikes.
Downhill-Big bikes made for chairlifts or shuttles.

That’s if. Everything falls under those categories somehow or some way.
  • 1 0
 It is a bit silly that every extra 10mm is apparently a new category but... when I say only "trail bike", are you thinking 120mm or 180mm? Or do you simply not care?
  • 1 0
 @boozed: I guess I don’t think travel should define the bike. The build “burly-ness” and geometry should define the bike. 120mm is that spot where there are lightweight, “race type” bikes AND burly overbuilt “trail bikes.” When someone says “trail bike” I think they are not on a superlight XC rig and they can pedal their bike back up the hill when we get to the bottom.
  • 7 3
 It looks cool, but it seems like if any significant drivetrain advancement happens in the next ten years it would have to be for gearboxes. And it doesn't look like this would be compatible. Similarly I have to imagine a lot of other major technical advancements (lighter cheaper frame manufacturing techniques, different suspension designs, or who knows what else) would either require a whole new specifically designed frame or be retrofittable to a lot of different frames.

That all makes me question how future proof this really is. And if you don't want gearboxes or fancy electronic suspension or whatever else well you can just keep your old bike. You don't need an expensive modular frame.

And if it's just boring changing standards like boost -> super boost or fork steerers or something I find it hard to believe that buying a whole new part of a frame is more cost effective or less wasteful.
  • 18 0
 Instead of an Apogee, they might have to issue and Apo-lo-gee
  • 3 0
 a lot of assumptions
  • 2 0
 Yup, no gearbox “module”, no bueno.
  • 4 0
 Why don't you think a gearbox module would be compatible? It would certainly take some interesting part placement, but I could see them jamming a gearbox in there somehow. Definitely with something strange like a vertical pull shock behind the gearbox, and possibly with regular shocks shifted around.

If they put a brace where the current front shock mount is, it seems like it would allow them to shift the shock around wherever they want to. That would certainly allow space for a gearbox beneath the shock.
  • 3 0
 If the goal was to make a modular bike why start with an open air mud scaffolding and linkage design to make a Rolex engineer wet his pants? It would seem like the buyer of a so called ‘modular’ would be the same type of buyer who prioritizes ease of use. In isolation it’s a cool bike, I don’t envy the buyer who has to live with it.
  • 6 1
 Apogee owner coming to the Local Workshop: My bike makes some noises, can you please look for it? I think it's one of the screws.
  • 4 0
 Would be cool to see this offered as just the bb area and links (as i think that's the hardest part of building a full sus) so builders could create frames that fit around it
  • 5 0
 But, how does it ride? I saw a video of how an Albatross lands, wouldn't like to do that too often on a bike.
  • 5 0
 This looks weirdly like an 1990's URT frame.
  • 4 0
 At first glance it looked like they recreated the Schwinn Sweet Spot
  • 2 0
 @BillT999: Bang! That is what I was thinking.
  • 2 0
 Really looks like the ultimate bike design to me. Could be applied to XC, DH and enduro, with aluminium or carbon mainframes. Every suspension MTB in the world built like this sounds good to me.
  • 6 1
 Thats a lot of stuff on there for a single pivot
  • 4 0
 a linkage driven single pivot with a floating shock
  • 2 0
 Albatross is a strange name for a product where customers often are looking for lower weights. Looks cool, but there are so many parts it would freak me out. So many creaks to find!
  • 5 0
 "If you describe something or someone as an albatross around your neck, you mean that they cause you great problems from which you cannot escape, or they prevent you from doing what you want to do."
  • 1 0
 @bottleblurrocket: You are held hostage by a lot of bolts
  • 4 0
 I read the entire article and the bit about customization, and I still don't know why I should buy it or what it costs.
  • 1 0
 Agreed. This is a press release written by an owner or engineer, not someone who knows how to hit the talking points in a concise press release. ChatGPT might have been better.
  • 1 0
 Looks cool, but as others have posted already the changing standards issue is a totally fabricated "problem". And even if we DID want a bike we could change by swapping out a module, the module needs to be inexpensive enough for it to be worth it. I'd bet that a module itself is going to be what, $1200? $2000? Plus the cost of the shock. Plus a wheel if you want to switch from 29er to mullet, for instance. So for like $3-4k I can switch my bike to mullet? neat-o.
  • 4 0
 I’d be interested if there was a Pinion gearbox mount
  • 3 0
 steel front ends. so hot right now
  • 4 0
 hang this around yo neck
  • 2 0
 It just needs a turnbuckle on the top tube so the reach can be adjusted on the fly!
  • 3 0
 It’s erector set. Kind of.
  • 1 0
 Hate to be that guy but whats with the pinholes in the Headtube welds? Not really the sort of place you want defects in a weld?
  • 3 0
 Looks like a brazed frame, so those pits are either in the fillet or in the paint.
  • 2 0
 I was thinking the same thing.... defect or not probably not the best photo to use
  • 1 1
 Looks rad, I like it. Pretty hard to predict it'll be future proof for 10 years , unless over that period of 10 years you slowly change every frame part to suit the new standards.
  • 4 0
 3-2-1 block for the win!
  • 2 1
 I can’t help but think the people that can bring something like this to market must have a trust fun. I hate to be negative but dang.
  • 3 0
 Mick’s ears at WRP must be burning right now…
  • 2 0
 the word "light" reminds me of all those sugar-free and alcohol-free drinks, NOT GOOD!
  • 1 0
 "“Light” Enduro" ?? WTH is that ?? That's like "Kind of a Virgin", there is no middle ground, it's one or the other...........
  • 1 0
 This thing looks sick! I really love the ID on the module. Such great lines and gratuitous chamfers. Good on ya for actually doing something different.
  • 1 0
 This is a really cool concept and as someone who is constantly tinkering and trying to learn about suspension this interests me a lot.
  • 2 0
 Very cool. I am in PDX and look forward seeing it this weekend.
  • 3 2
 Really, really good looking frame. Squinting at it, is it just a really funky linkage driven single pivot?
  • 2 0
 Yes
  • 1 0
 Not "just" if that's the ultimate suspension system, which for me it is.
  • 3 0
 The Evil Albatross
  • 1 0
 really nice concept
i like the modularity and the way its made(especially the milled pieces(simple, cheap....)
  • 1 0
 I dont get it. So a huge chunk of the frame is replaceable just in case BB standards change? Seems worth it.
  • 2 1
 you could also change the suspension, build it as an e bike or use a gearbox
  • 1 0
 @JasperTS: No mention of e-bike powertrain compatibility in the article. ?
Change the suspension? What does that mean? Change suspension links?
  • 1 0
 @flattire: its modular so it can be adapted to take an elektric motor, gearbox ora different suspension(type, links there are many posibilitis).
  • 2 0
 Yeahhh , right , ahhh , welll , but why ?
  • 1 0
 standards are meant to broken, give us more options, i want the v8 in my 914.
  • 2 0
 No vid of it running through its suspension?
  • 1 0
 And not even a pic of it built up? Might as well just be a rendering.
  • 1 0
 The name Apogee sounds like they are already wanting to make amends for creating this bike.
  • 1 0
 Looks cool but not sure about all the parts just for single pivot . Gear box ,140 mm super air
  • 1 0
 Is it just me, or are those seat and chain stay's scary small !?....I know they say size isn't everything, but c'mon.......
  • 1 0
 So when I smash my BB area I can just replace that bit instead of getting a new frame....interesting.
  • 1 0
 Linkage aside, the pinholes in the weld bead between the top tube and the head tube would make me nervous.
  • 2 0
 That's a cool f'in frame
  • 1 0
 That’s a cool looking suspension design
  • 1 0
 Ibis, Starling, Albatross...
  • 4 0
 Mongoose, because it's French for 'my goose', I think.
  • 1 0
 @iamamodel: Norco is french for Northern Cockasian... fact check true!
  • 1 0
 There was Peregrine bmx
  • 1 0
 But gimme a Dove anytime…,,Dove chocolate that is
  • 2 0
 @iamamodel: Makes sense, but what's a draker?
  • 1 0
 Bird
  • 1 0
 @Ben-76: I forgot BMX. Hoffman Condor!
  • 1 0
 Just weee bit O' movin' parts there laddy!
  • 1 0
 steel bike & being different #rad
  • 2 0
 TRAILDURO
  • 1 0
 Ultra light DH… but it is nice looking
  • 2 0
 slomo vid needed!
  • 1 0
 WTF is "light enduro" come on people....
  • 1 0
 Complicate or die. Seems to be the new trend.
  • 1 0
 What is this one size fits nobody ahh geometry
  • 1 0
 So “light” enduro?
  • 10 0
 9lbs w/o shock; not so light...

rad looking design tho.
  • 1 0
 aka Trail or All-Mountain?
  • 3 0
 Apparently a heavier frame than my DH frame. "Light Enduro" must be a brutal new sport!
  • 2 0
 @chacou: trail mountain, all trail, trail all, mountain all?
Which one do I wear goggles with and which one do wear a backpack?
  • 2 0
 @slayersxc17: Yes
  • 1 0
 @slayersxc17: Backpack (Camelback Mule or larger) is ONLY for the Friday fails clip over a huge gap and/or a decent drop. Remeber you must go as slow as you can....
  • 1 0
 Hmm… odd bike
  • 1 0
 Is that a press fit bb!
  • 1 0
 lol wtf?
  • 1 2
 Whoever came up with that light endure line is a master baiter.







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