Feature News

Factory Visit | PUSH Industries – The Science of Suspension

20.09.2015
by

Do you like high end components on your mountain bike? Do you like riding at the top of your game? If so, you should definitely check out what Colorado based shock tuner PUSH Industries has to offer.

PUSH Industries is a small shock tuning and production company based in Loveland, Colorado. Started in Irvine, California by Darren Murphy, who worked his way up and through the suspension divisions of auto and motorcycle racing teams, eventually finding himself in the world of mountain bikes, and starting his own company. Growing up enjoying motorcycles and car racing, those long held personality traits influence everything he does in the mountain biking world. I’m talking about the use of high end materials, ultra tight tolerances, and commitment to building the best possible product.

One of the first things you notice upon entering the work zone at Push are the bikes. Lots and lots of bikes, with all sorts of suspension bits on them, but if you look closer, almost everything has been tuned by Push, with new valving, bumpers and wipers, or has the 11/6 shock on it.
One of the first things you notice upon entering the work zone at Push are the bikes. Lots and lots of bikes, with all sorts of suspension bits on them, but if you look closer, almost everything has been tuned by Push, with new valving, bumpers and wipers, or has the 11/6 shock on it.
Push started as a tuning company, and they still do that. A lot. I feel it gives them a leg up on knowing what’s out there, how other companies suspension works, and what they need to do to make it better.
Push started as a tuning company, and they still do that. A lot. I feel it gives them a leg up on knowing what’s out there, how other companies suspension works, and what they need to do to make it better.
Push is staffed 100% by mountain bikers. These guys and gals know how to ride and know product development. And that also means they can help you get those most out of your bike and Push product.
Push is staffed 100% by mountain bikers. These guys and gals know how to ride and know product development. And that also means they can help you get those most out of your bike and Push product.
Dreamy work stations. Who doesn’t want their garage to look like this? I do!
Dreamy work stations. Who doesn’t want their garage to look like this? I do!
The bins in the background are full of the various small parts that go into putting together your 11/6 shock. There are many.
The bins in the background are full of the various small parts that go into putting together your 11/6 shock. There are many.

PUSH is a cool company for many reasons. They’re small. On the day I visited, about eight or nine employees, including Murphy, were going about their work. They all ride. A lot. So they know what their product can do for you and how it can improve your ride. They’re dedicated to producing the best possible product they can. That involves using the best raw materials, taking their time when shaping those raw materials, and partnering up with other companies that share that same respect for producing the best, like Hyperco Springs (These guys build arguably the best suspension springs on the planet for the auto racing industry, having multiple champions in NASCAR, Formula One, and the Indy Racing League.)

Spring coils from Hyperco, producer of suspension bits for Formula One race cars. Think they build to tight tolerances? Yes, it’s proven, they do.
Spring coils from Hyperco, producer of suspension bits for Formula One race cars. Think they build to tight tolerances? Yes, it’s proven, they do.
Not only does Push have in-house testing equipment, the best from Roehrig, tied into their own data analyzing program, but Push utilizes on bike, on trail, data acquisition equipment, to see what each bike is doing, and what their shocks are doing, while outside, in the real world. This is World Cup, Aaron Gwin level stuff we’re talking about here people.
Not only does Push have in-house testing equipment, the best from Roehrig, tied into their own data analyzing program, but Push utilizes on bike, on trail, data acquisition equipment, to see what each bike is doing, and what their shocks are doing, while outside, in the real world. This is World Cup, Aaron Gwin level stuff we’re talking about here people.
Push builds all of their own parts and pieces. If it’s machined, and used in one of their suspension products, it came from Colorado. The springs, and some of the bumpers, seals, and wipers come from elsewhere, but this is hands on, extremely high quality stuff.
Push builds all of their own parts and pieces. If it’s machined, and used in one of their suspension products, it came from Colorado. The springs, and some of the bumpers, seals, and wipers come from elsewhere, but this is hands on, extremely high quality stuff.
More bikes, more really expensive CNC machines.
More bikes, more really expensive CNC machines.
This place is like a laboratory, but not in a stuffy, dorky way. I mean, they’re building ultra high end equipment for amazing Mountainbikes.
This place is like a laboratory, but not in a stuffy, dorky way. I mean, they’re building ultra high end equipment for amazing Mountainbikes.

PUSH has moved on from just tuning forks and shocks into building their own product from scratch, the 11/6 coil shock for longer travel trail bikes. The culmination of years of tuning experience, learning from what customers wanted and what they asked for, and realizing the market was ready for it, Murphy designed the 11/6 for the most discriminating of riders. Each and every shock is custom built for that particular bike, and for that particular rider. Every component of the shock serves it’s purpose, and that is to glue your bike to the ground, in the most responsive, but comfortable way possible. As Murphy is fond of saying, “more grip”. These shocks are high quality, and the price reflects it ($1200 retail). PUSH knows they won’t sell a million of these shocks, and they don’t want to. They want to build top notch quality, for the discerning rider.

It’s not a giant place by any means, but that means you’re never more than a few steps away from the designer, or the CNC machines. It also enables push to be not far away from killer test riding grounds.
It’s not a giant place by any means, but that means you’re never more than a few steps away from the designer, or the CNC machines. It also enables push to be not far away from killer test riding grounds.
Murphy’s office has much evidence of his past educational pursuits. Designing suspension for race cars and motorcycles.
Murphy’s office has much evidence of his past educational pursuits. Designing suspension for race cars and motorcycles.
A nondescript building on the outskirts of Loveland, CO puts Push close to the action, in a family friendly place. Custom built to Murphy’s specifications, don’t be surprised if you see Push grow.
A nondescript building on the outskirts of Loveland, CO puts Push close to the action, in a family friendly place. Custom built to Murphy’s specifications, don’t be surprised if you see Push grow.
The 11/6 on another work of art, the Yeti SB6c, being ridden by Trevor Worsey, as part of the long term test process, which you really should check out all the bikes in that program.
The 11/6 has some outstanding machining all over the shock. It really is a thing of beauty.
The 11/6 has some outstanding machining all over the shock. It really is a thing of beauty.
The 11/6 on another work of art, the Yeti SB6c, being ridden by Trevor Worsey, as part of the long term test process, which you really should check out all the bikes in that program.

For more information check-out: pushindustries.com.

Words & Pictures: Daniel Dunn

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