Current manufacturers only. This is only referring to true crab meat (Horst Link) bikes, so imitation crab doesn't count and bikes like Marin and Kona (faux bar) are out. These are the ones I could think of off the top of my head, but with this group I'm pretty sure we can have a comprehensive list in no time.
True crab links:
Specialized
Canyon
YT
Frameworks
Moustache bikes (only know this because it was just posted in tech rumors)
Cannondale
Transition
Norco
Ari, Chromag, KHS, Obed, Amp Research, Liteville
Would we count something like Forbidden's V2 platform a "Spider Crab" link? (High pivot Inverted Horst Link)
Old Bay
Vitus, some Nukeproofs (both RIP)
Some Rocky Mountains.
(all the moto ebikes) KTM, GasGas, Husqvarna, Yahama
https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/category/bikes-5723 - pretty long list of brands to help you search if needed.
Ari (EDIT: Already mentioned above)
Lapierre (??)
RAAW Mountain Bikes of course
Privateer
Does Nicolai count or since he worked with Horst does that make him King crab?
Jumbo Seafood
Cube
GT
Recently Santa Cruz (Vala)
Birb.
Crabscade Components
I think the latest Marin Alpine Trail XR is a crab link.
Okay, so here's the updated list at the end of the workday. 31 brands currently selling true crab link bikes:
Specialized, Canyon, YT, Frameworks, Moustache bikes, Cannondale, Transition, Norco, Ari, Chromag, KHS, Obed, Amp Research, Liteville, Vitus and Nukeproof (RIP), Rocky Mountain, KTM, GasGas, Husqvarna, Yahama, Lapierre, RAAW, Privateer, Nicolai, Cube, GT, Santa Cruz, Bird, Marin, and Airdrop.
Kavenz
Knolly
NS
Reeb
Rose
Radon
Simplon
Scott (current gambler)
Megamo
Berria
Sonder
Whyte
Alutech
Bulls
Centurion
Corratec
Dartmoor
Ellsworth ?
Ghost
Kross
Lee Cougan
MMR
Olympia
Pyga
Raymon
Rotwild
Stevens
Storck
Sunn
Thomus
Rockrider
Origine
RSD
Allebike
Amflow
Rossignol
Detrail
And yes most of them are small Euro brand.
what does Chat gpt say about this topic: The "crab link" design you're referring to might be closely related to twin-link suspension systems. These designs use two rocker links to connect the rear swingarm to the frame, allowing greater tunability of suspension characteristics. Some popular brands that use similar twin-link designs include:
1. **Santa Cruz** with their **VPP (Virtual Pivot Point)** system.
2. **Ibis** and **Pivot** with the **DW-Link** system.
3. **Giant** with their **Maestro** system.
These designs allow the rear axle to move independently from the main pivot, improving the bike’s pedaling efficiency and suspension performance across various terrains.
If you're looking for a specific bike brand using a unique crab link-like design, Santa Cruz and Ibis are good starting points.
OMG!!!!
))))
since rotwild came up. here's a lot of crabs in one place. google says a group of crabs is called a consortium. fascinating.
phew. got a few more years before computers are smarter than me.
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