{"id":68790,"date":"2024-09-05T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f7afa9cf-ecca-44c2-8d76-0c2c74614ceb"},"modified":"2024-09-05T16:25:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T14:25:30","slug":"bike-of-the-week-antidote-woodsprite-promises-to-get-you-airborne-with-its-novel-suspension-layout","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bike-of-the-week-antidote-woodsprite-promises-to-get-you-airborne-with-its-novel-suspension-layout\/","title":{"rendered":"Bike of the Week | Antidote Woodsprite promises to get you airborne with its novel suspension layout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Polish brand’s short-travel trail bike positions rear shock outside the front triangle <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 05 September 2024 at 14:00 PM<\/p>

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Antidote\u2019s Woodsprite combines short suspension travel with the riding characteristics and geometry of a long-travel bike, challenging the perceived capability of trail bikes.<\/p>

The Polish brand says the bike\u2019s \u201cshorter suspension layout encourages the rider to go airborne and provides excellent feedback from the trail\u201d.<\/p>

The Woodsprite can run a 120mm to 135mm rear shock, alongside a 140mm to 150mm fork.<\/p>

Antidote offers the Woodsprite in a range of configurations, with custom component choices available through its online configurator.<\/p>

Prices start at \u20ac8,599 for a RockShox Pike Ultimate and Super Deluxe Ultimate build, with the frame available separately for \u20ac4,199.<\/p>

We\u2019ve got the Woodsprite in for testing, but before we see what our testers make of its short-travel <\/a>philosophy, let’s take a closer look at the details.<\/p>

Frame<\/h2>
Antidote says positioning the rear shock outside the front triangle adds strength to the front end. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Antidote\u2019s Woodsprite features carbon fibre construction<\/a>, with the weave visible through the lacquer.<\/p>
The rocker linkage is made from CNC-machined alumnium, with Antidote saying titanium and aluminium bolts are used throughout the suspension linkage.<\/p>
$\"Anidote$
CNC’d grooves can be seen in the linkage pieces. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
With a maximum of 135mm rear-wheel travel, the brand says the shorter-travel design has enabled it to shave weight from the bike.<\/p>
The Woodsprite features a new Smart FDS linkage, which is based on the brand’s FDS design.<\/p>
This new Smart FDS, or Floating Damping System, uses a split-pivot approach that sees the rear shock placed behind the seat tube.<\/p>
$\"Anidote$
Unlike many mountain bikes, the Woodsprite features an integrated seatpost clamp on the top of the seat tube, which tapers to the end. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Compared to the FDS, this linkage uses a fixed pivot point instead of a floating pivot point.<\/p>
Antidote says this is in the interest of weight savings, with shorter-travel applications not benefiting greatly from the original solution.<\/p>
The linkage makes the Woodsprite compatible with both air-spring and coil shocks<\/a>, and the brand says positioning the shock low has dropped the bike’s centre of gravity.<\/p>
A lower centre of gravity makes it easier to move the bike from side to side, which should help it when cornering.<\/p>
$\"Anidote$
There\u2019s a mudguard in the rear triangle to keep debris from hitting the rear shock. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Antidote says there are high levels of anti-squat throughout the cassette for maximum efficiency on the climbs and that it has tailored the amount of pedal kickback for high stability over bumps, while retaining a lively suspension feel.<\/p>
The suspension linkage is said to put no rotation through the rear shock, resulting in increased sensitivity off the top.<\/p>
The Woodsprite runs on 29in wheels<\/a> front and rear, and has clearance for 2.6in tyres.<\/p>
$\"Anidote$
Many mechanics prefer down-tube cable routing because you don’t need to cut cables to replace headset bearings. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Internal cable routing is used and home mechanics will rejoice at the fact that it enters the frame through the down tube.<\/p>
The brand claims a size-Medium frame tips the scale at 2.5kg, including all the frame protectors.<\/p>