Santa Cruz and Intense to introduce DH bikes with Virtual Pivot Point Suspension

Santa Crua, CA - March 20, 2001- Santa Cruz Bicycles has purchased the patents and trademarks associalted with Outland Sports" Virtual Pivot Point full suspension design (VPP) and has entered into an exclusive licensing aggrement with Intense Cycles Inc. Both companies will introduce downhill prototypes featuring the VPP technology at the Sea Otter Classic race March 24th. Santa Cruz Bicycles and Intense Cycles will develop competing designs but will cooperate on enforcing the patents.

The torque-sensitive VPP syslem balances the downward movement of the rider with an equal and opposing upward force on the frame. This leaves the suspension neutural and able to comply with both bumps and depressions while eliminating power loss. The VPP syslem can maintain efficient padaling through a large portion of the travel providing excellent acceleration even while running sag. This makes the suspension more complaint and conserves rolling momentum better than a topped out set up. High durabilityh and low maintenanceand also goals for both companies, which will utilize sealed berings throughout the multi-pivot frames.

Santa Cruz, a leader in single pivot full suspension bicycles, was started in 1993 to bring lightweight full suspension designs to the competitive and recreational rider. santa Cruz will add new models utilizing the VPP systemto their exisiting line-up of single pivot bicycles. Santa Cruz Super Light, Super 8, Builit, Chameleon and Juiliana models are sold through 250 US dealers and 25 intenational distributors. Customers can build their own dream bike, viewing color, fork and kit combinations, price and weight at www.santacruzbicycles.com

Intense Cycles, a leader in four-bar linkage full suspension bicycles, was started in 1991 to produce full suspension bicycles for competition. Intense Cycles, Inc. sell their M1. Uzzi SLX, Uzzi SL, Tracer and Tazer models through 200 dealers in the US and 16 international distributors. In 1998 Intense added their performance tire with innovative multiple compounds and added in 2000 their sticky rubber compound. 2001 has Intense producing a performance shoe line also with innovative designs and sticky rubber. Intense M1 and Tazer bicycles have been used to win numerous national and international titles. The company's web site is www.intensecycles.com