Almost exactly a year ago, my phone rang. It's Jo Klieber, the boss of Syntace. I've known the ingenious inventor and quirky tinkerer for 18 years - most recently Syntace was also Part of our BIKE Project:Ride Green Project. Jo wants my opinion on his latest project. "Either I've invented something really great, or it's the latest shit," his words lure me in. So we quickly make an appointment for a first test drive. Almost two hours late, Jo rolls into the car park at the meeting point in his camper van. While he opens the crammed rear garage, I try to follow his explanations. As a grand master of mental leaps, he often starts the alphabet at B or C, jumps briefly to Z, and occasionally switches to hieroglyphics in order to find his way back to point A if there's enough time. Then the announced invention is in front of me.
A first Test of the Syntace steering system fitted to the new Canyon Spectral can be found here - you can read a detailed test in BIKE 12/22.
The Syntace revolution consists of a few simple components
The small part is emblazoned on the top tube of a Liteville 301 and looks like a mousetrap connected to the head tube by two straps. So this is supposed to be the big invention? I frown. Jo is talking about a balanced steering system that is centred like in a car and compensates for the existing imbalance of steering forces. An absolute novelty in the two-wheeler sector. Before I get into the saddle, I ask myself the question: Have I ever had problems steering? The modern geometries with flat steering angles ensure a smooth ride en masse and confidence in the terrain anyway. Is this perhaps the solution to a problem that doesn't actually exist?
I click the pedals sceptically and set off. Even on the first few metres, when I turn in for the first time, the steering feels different, but nevertheless intuitive and somehow smooth. The two tension springs on the top tube tighten with every steering angle, helping the bike to return to a straight line. We do various laps on my home trails with crisp, short descents. As the spring forces are low and I never have the feeling of working against something or having to use noticeably more force, the familiarisation period is short. Especially in the steep, slippery and blocked downhill sections, the Syntace system not only has a calming effect on the steering, but also on the overall handling behaviour. The front wheel runs so stable straight ahead that I have the feeling of being able to ride hands-free on the trail. The last technical climb in the semi-darkness is a real eye-opener.
Stability: No more tipping - but also no snapping into place
The steep gully, peppered with roots and loose stones, requires riding technique, good legs and a feel for the terrain. Normally, I have to use the entire width of the gully to wind my way up and intuitively balance my steering movements. The flat steering angles of modern bikes mean that the front wheel tends to tip over at snail's pace. But this time everything is different. As if pulled by a string, I hit every line exactly, without any unnecessary steering movements or weight compensation. Amazing. One last test in the dark: I turn freehand back to the car park. Turns are still possible without a hand on the handlebars, as the steering is centred, but does not lock in or stoically run straight ahead. On the other hand, there is no sudden sudden tipping when travelling slowly. I can even turn round to the rear effortlessly without automatically initiating a bend.
"A lot has happened in the mountain bike sector over the last 30 years. Not all of the supposed innovations had the potential of suspension, disc brakes or telescopic seatposts. With K.I.S., Syntace is introducing an innovation that is ideally placed to have a lasting impact on the two-wheeler market. The fact that industry giants such as Canyon and established brands in the motorbike sector rely on the system also underlines the importance of K.I.S." - Conclusion from Peter Nilges, BIKE test manager
Back in the car park, I jokingly say to Jo: "This thing should never come onto the market. It takes so much out of you that it makes many of your hard-won skills superfluous." "I guess that's what you call progress," the tinkerer replies with a big grin on his face. I am hooked. It's clear to me: I absolutely have to ride the system for longer to get a comprehensive picture. As the spring preload on the prototype can even be switched on and off while riding, I can make a perfect comparison over the next few days. After a lot of on and off, I ride for several days only with the support of the two small tension springs. A week has passed and the bike unfortunately has to go back. On the last ride, I switch back to normal mode and have to swallow. Without the system, the bike suddenly feels more nervous and unsafe. As I unscrew the pedals, I think again about whether I have ever been dissatisfied with the steering of a bike and come to the conclusion: certainly not until a week ago.
K.I.S. on the e-mountainbike
Of course, the steering revolution also makes sense on an e-mountainbike. E-bikers also benefit from the invisible increase in riding stability. We are sure that the first e-mountainbikes with K.I.S. will not be too long in coming. Our EMTB editorial team has already had the opportunity to test the system extensively. We were able to use two Liteville 301 CE test bikes for this purpose. On one model, the system was mounted externally for testing purposes so that it was possible to switch between stabilisation on and off. On the other bike, the integration was almost invisible and the Liteville e-bike made a series-ready impression on us.
