Schwinn Rocket 88 (OS) - Linkage Design

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http://linkagedesign.blogspot.hu/2013/06/schwinn-rocket-88-old-schoo...

In this post I will discuss one of the first paintings that used a Virtual Pivot system with a rigid rear
triangle and two links: The Schwinn Rocket 88. This model was released in 2000, a couple of years
before the Holy Cruz Blur and some four years before the first Iron Horse with DW-Link and the
Giant with the Master System, to name a few examples. Schwinn filed for bankruptcy in 2001, so
this system had a very short life and I fail to expand to the rest of the range or evolve much as
others. If it were not for that detail today Schwinn could have a range of models very similar to
Giant, BMC, Mondraker, Niner, Turner, Marin, Santa Cruz, etc ...

2015.03.20. 15:46

Schwinn Rocket 88 (OS) - Linkage Design

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http://linkagedesign.blogspot.hu/2013/06/schwinn-rocket-88-old-schoo...

As you can see in the graphics system performance is amazing, especially when you consider the
time it was designed. The percentages of Anti-squat in medium bowl are always around 85%,
whereas the percentages in small dish are around 110% ... The system seeks a balance between
these two developments, which are usually the most used and the result is quite good in both cases.
The Pedal Kickback (4th) is extremely low, all such systems reduce Kickback in the last part of the
route, but some more and some less ... This Schwinn is one of the more changing sharply and this in
principle is something positive, but also forces you to take the Sag always very tight. The Brake
Squat (33%) is also at a very low level, which is unusual in a Virtual Pivot system.

In the graph of Leverage Ratio see how the system is the progressive-regressive type
(2.35-2.2-2.35) but with walking downstream and upstream so in general we can say that is quite
linear (Typically in a dialog XC). In the comparison I have included a Giant and BMC and you see that

2015.03.20. 15:46

Schwinn Rocket 88 (OS) - Linkage Design

3/3

http://linkagedesign.blogspot.hu/2013/06/schwinn-rocket-88-old-schoo...

In the graph of Leverage Ratio see how the system is the progressive-regressive type
(2.35-2.2-2.35) but with walking downstream and upstream so in general we can say that is quite
linear (Typically in a dialog XC). In the comparison I have included a Giant and BMC and you see that
all three are quite similar, despite ten years apart. In short: a great design, and although Schwinn
could not continue developing it, the engineer who designed it (Ian Alexander) has continued to work
for other brands, creating some very interesting systems.

A greeting.

2015.03.20. 15:46