Riding Class Guide - CP Platform
Paratu CP / Riding Class Guide
DIRTLAB RIDING CLASSES
Which Travel Config Is Right for You?
The CP platform runs four rear travel configurations on a single frame. Each maps to a different riding class. This guide helps you choose.
One frame, four travel options. The Paratu CP and Iuhu CP use a 230 mm eye-to-eye shock with interchangeable stroke lengths. Swap the shock stroke to change rear travel from 145 mm to 165 mm. Head and seat tube angles shift slightly with each config. No flip chip needed — the geometry changes come from the shock itself.
Travel Configurations
145 mm — Trail / All-Mountain
57.5 mm strokeThe lightest, most pedal-efficient configuration. Best for riders who prioritise climbing performance and long-distance trail riding with technical descents as a bonus rather than the main event. The steeper 63.9-degree head angle keeps steering responsive at lower speeds and on tight switchbacks.
| Head Angle | 63.9° | Seat Angle | 77.8° |
| BB Drop | 34 mm | Best For | Trail, XC-enduro, long rides |
Ideal rider: Climbs a lot, rides flow trails and moderate tech, values low weight and efficiency. Think Swiss alpine trails, UK trail centres, or Asian jungle singletrack.
150 mm — All-Mountain / Light Enduro
60.0 mm strokeThe balanced option. Enough travel for proper enduro descents without giving up pedalling composure. For riders who want one bike that handles steep alpine descents and long climbs equally well. Geometry sits between the trail and enduro settings.
| Head Angle | ~63.7° | Seat Angle | ~77.65° |
| BB Drop | ~32.5 mm | Best For | All-mountain, light enduro |
Ideal rider: Does everything — weekend epic rides, the occasional enduro race, shuttle days. Wants to ride hard in both directions without swapping parts.
160 mm — Enduro (Base Config)
62.5 mm stroke — DEFAULTThe standard configuration. This is how the Paratu CP ships and the geometry that all published specs reference. The 63.5-degree head angle, 77.5-degree seat angle, and 31 mm BB drop define the enduro character of the bike. Designed for EWS-level terrain — steep, rough, high-speed descents with long climbs between stages.
| Head Angle | 63.5° | Seat Angle | 77.5° |
| BB Drop | 31 mm | Best For | Enduro racing, aggressive trail |
Ideal rider: Descending is the priority. Races or rides like they race. Comfortable on steep terrain at speed. This is the config most riders will run.
165 mm — Gravity Enduro
65.0 mm strokeMaximum travel. Same geometry as the 160 mm config (63.5-degree head angle, 77.5-degree seat angle) but with an extra 5 mm of shock stroke for deeper bottom-out reserve. Best for heavier riders or extremely rough terrain where that last bit of travel prevents harsh bottom-outs. The longer stroke does not change the frame angles — it just extends the end of the shock travel.
| Head Angle | 63.5° | Seat Angle | 77.5° |
| BB Drop | 31 mm | Best For | Gravity, heavy riders, bike parks |
Ideal rider: Rides the roughest terrain available. May weigh 90 kg+. Wants maximum bottom-out protection. Accepts the marginal weight increase of a slightly longer shock stroke.
Fork Travel Options
Independent of rear travel, you can run 150 mm, 160 mm, or 170 mm fork travel. The fork choice affects head angle and front-end height. All three options use the same 44 mm offset and accept the same RA headset cups.
150 mm Fork
Steepens the head angle by approximately 0.35 degrees. Lowers the front end. Better for trail-oriented setups where climbing agility matters more than high-speed stability.
AC length: 561 mm
160 mm Fork (Base)
The standard fork travel. All published geometry numbers are measured at this setting. The 571 mm axle-to-crown length defines the baseline head angle and stack height.
AC length: 571 mm
170 mm Fork
Slackens the head angle by approximately 0.35 degrees. Raises the front end. Best paired with the 160 mm or 165 mm rear travel for maximum descending confidence on steep terrain.
AC length: 581 mm
Which Model?
All four travel configs are available on both the eMTB and pedal versions of the CP platform. The frame geometry is identical — the difference is motor integration.
E-BIKE | MAXON AIR S
Paratu CP
Full carbon monocoque with Maxon Bikedrive AIR S (88 Nm, 650 W peak). 400 Wh battery + optional 250 Wh range extender. Complete bike from 16.9 kg.
Ships in 160 mm / 62.5 mm stroke configuration.
PEDAL | CARBON
Iuhu CP
Same CP platform frame without motor integration. T47 bottom bracket, lighter overall weight. Pure pedal enduro with identical geometry and travel options.
Ships in 160 mm / 62.5 mm stroke configuration.
Quick Reference
| Config | Riding Class | Climb | Descend | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 mm | Trail / All-Mountain | Excellent | Good | Flow, moderate tech, long rides |
| 150 mm | All-Mountain / Light Enduro | Very Good | Very Good | Mixed terrain, alpine, all-day |
| 160 mm | Enduro (Default) | Good | Excellent | Steep, rough, high-speed, racing |
| 165 mm | Gravity Enduro | Adequate | Maximum | DH-adjacent, bike park, 90 kg+ riders |
Once you have chosen your travel config, dial in your suspension settings.
Factory Suspension Setup Guide → | Geometry Calculator →Common Questions
Can I switch between travel configs myself?
Yes. Changing rear travel means swapping the shock to one with a different stroke length. All configs use the same 230 mm eye-to-eye dimension — only the stroke changes. Any qualified bike shop or experienced home mechanic can do this. The frame accepts all four stroke lengths without modification.
Do I need different shocks for air vs coil at each travel?
Air and coil shocks are both available at each stroke length. Air shocks are lighter and more tuneable. Coil shocks offer more consistent performance and better small-bump sensitivity. See the Suspension Setup Guide for specific shock models and pressure charts for both types.
Does more travel always mean better descending?
Not necessarily. More travel gives deeper bottom-out reserve but can also make the bike feel less responsive under pedalling and less precise at lower speeds. A well-set-up 145 mm bike will descend better than a poorly-set-up 165 mm bike. Choose based on your terrain and riding style, not just the number.
What is the most popular config?
The 160 mm (62.5 mm stroke) is the default and the most widely tested configuration. It is what ships with the bike and what all published geometry and kinematics data references. If you are unsure, start here.
Does the eMTB motor affect the travel choice?
The Maxon Bikedrive AIR S motor adds approximately 3.7 kg to the system weight. This extra weight compresses the suspension slightly more under its own mass, which means eMTB riders may benefit from running one step firmer on suspension pressure compared to pedal riders at the same body weight. The travel choice itself is the same for both models.
Applies to: Paratu CP, Iuhu CP
Does not apply to: Paratu HL, Iuhu HL, Iuhu LT Ti, Iuhu PT Ti, Tutumaz (different platforms with different travel options).
