CNC milling for advanced users: The PM Sports Pika is made from a block of aluminium

There are many mountain bikes, but none like the PM Sports Pika. Company founder Gian Cla Haller is not only a biker through and through, but also an inventor with heart and soul. What began with accessories such as 3D-printed GPS mounts and chain guides has now led to the prototype of his own enduro bike. The unique Pika is currently in the initial testing phase. A second edition is soon to follow. Whether, when and at what price the sensational bike will be available for normal mortals is not yet clear. The PM Sports Pika is currently the private bike of a passionate developer.

PM Sports Pika in detail

• Area of application: Enduro
• Front/rear suspension travel: 170/160 mm
• Wheel size: Mullet, 29/27.5"
• Frame material: Aluminium
• Weight: approx. 20 kg
• Price: not known (prototype)
• Special features: main frame milled in one piece, steering stabiliser, mass damper for vibration control

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Milled from the solid

Unlike well-known CNC-milled frames, such as those from Actofive or Pole, the main frame of the PM Sports Pika is not made from two joined shells, but is machined in one piece from a solid block of 7075 aluminium. The level of detail in production ranges from a closed front triangle to elaborate cut-outs in the down tube, top tube and rear triangle elements in order to save weight. With steel spring shock absorbers, fat enduro tyres and Pinion gearbox, the prototype still weighs around 20 kilos. However, PM Sports promises a low and central centre of gravity for a good track position.

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The name of the Pika is intended to honour the region in which it was created: the landscape around Piz Kesch in the Alps. The enduro bike is designed for high alpine adventures, bike park action and racing. The spectacular CNC bike combines a 490 millimetre long reach with a 605 millimetre high stack. The steering angle is 63.5 degrees flat, the seat angle 75 degrees steep.

The chainstays are 440 millimetres long, resulting in a wheelbase length of 1294 millimetres. On the prototype frame, PM Sports opted for external cable routing and a Fidlock bottle cage mount on the top tube. The chassis accommodates tyres up to 2.6 inches wide and is not designed for a 29er rear wheel.

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VPP running gear developed in-house

Tinkerer Haller is not a mechanical engineer by trade, but taught himself the basics of frame construction and chassis development with the help of the internet. This makes the prototype of the PM Sports Pika all the more impressive.

Haller came up with a rear suspension concept with a virtual pivot point (VPP), which is intended to provide efficient travel utilisation with an aggressive riding style and generate 160 millimetres of crumple zone. The Pika relies on kinematics with a progressive gear ratio to maximise sensitivity on small bumps and contact with the ground.

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In the mid-travel range, the rear suspension system of the PM Sports Pika should offer more support for a pronounced feeling of control without restricting the full stroke utilisation or having to fear harsh bottom-outs. In addition, an anti-squat optimised at the SAG point should ensure efficient energy transfer when pedalling without restricting the traction of the suspension.

The rear suspension should remain active at all times, even in very technical terrain. The Pika's anti-rise should ensure that the suspension works reliably even during hard braking manoeuvres in order to achieve consistent riding dynamics. The rear suspension can be fitted with either air or steel springs. At the front, a Rockshox ZEB suspension fork with 170 millimetres of travel is used as a supplement.

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From gearstick to mass damper

For his personal Pika, developer Haller has opted for a Pinion gearbox with Smart Shift function. The encapsulated drive promises to be low-maintenance and robust. The shifting behaviour of the gearbox can be customised via an electronic control unit.

The technology on the cockpit of the enduro prototype from PM Sports is also highly customised. The stem is fitted with its own mass damper and an external steering damper from Pademelon, which is designed to improve the precision of the steering and protect the arms from premature fatigue. The one-off is also fitted with a DT-Swiss mullet wheelset and grippy Pirelli tyres.

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Conclusion from BIKE editor Jan Timmermann

For me, hardly anything radiates more sex appeal than a lovingly milled CNC frame. The PM Sports Pika takes this fetish to the extreme and is a work of art made from solid material that I could look at for hours. The in-house chassis development and equipment that deviates from established standards make the Enduro a sensational prototype in my eyes. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

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