Intend is spinning off its wild ideas

Intend will launch its extraordinary projects under the new Unicorn label in the future. While the Fribourg-based parent brand aims to make its regular products more widely available, former World Cup mechanic Harald Bogdan will oversee deliberately limited small-batch productions.

The Edge World Cup and the Infinity World Cup kick things off. Both upside-down forks feature carbon upper tubes, gray-coated triple clamps, and gold accents. Only seven units of each model will be produced.

The Edge World Cup enduro fork offers 150 to 180 millimeters of travel, weighs 2,230 grams, and costs 2,549 euros. Raphaela Richter rode it to the enduro world championship title. The Infinity World Cup double-crown fork, with 170 to 200 millimeters of travel, weighs 3,050 grams and costs 2,899 euros. Both are sold exclusively directly through Unicorn.

Kyb Brings Motorcycle Technology to E-MTBs

Kyb is taking a completely different approach. The Japanese suspension specialist has been active in the automotive and motorcycle industries for decades and is now officially entering the European MTB market. Its first production fork also features an upside-down design but uses aluminum instead of carbon.

The Kyb fork offers 160 millimeters of travel and weighs a hefty 2,850 grams. Inside, it features a replaceable steel spring supplemented by an adjustable air chamber. Rebound and compression damping are adjustable. It also features a 20 x 110-millimeter thru-axle standard and is compatible with 27.5- and 29-inch wheels. 

KYB is currently establishing a European sales and service network. Several partners are already listed in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The manufacturer has not yet announced an official retail price. 

Completely Different Approaches

The two approaches could hardly be more different: Intend relies on carbon, handcrafted production, and extreme scarcity, while Kyb focuses on motorcycle technology and an international distribution network. Together, they demonstrate that the upside-down fork is finally emerging from its niche.