Antidote’s Woodsprite combines short suspension travel with the riding characteristics and geometry of a long-travel bike, challenging the perceived capability of trail bikes.
The Polish brand says the bike’s “shorter suspension layout encourages the rider to go airborne and provides excellent feedback from the trail”.
The Woodsprite can run a 120mm to 135mm rear shock, alongside a 140mm to 150mm fork.
Antidote offers the Woodsprite in a range of configurations, with custom component choices available through its online configurator.
Prices start at €8,599 for a RockShox Pike Ultimate and Super Deluxe Ultimate build, with the frame available separately for €4,199.
We’ve got the Woodsprite in for testing, but before we see what our testers make of its short-travel philosophy, let's take a closer look at the details.
Frame
Antidote’s Woodsprite features carbon fibre construction, with the weave visible through the lacquer.
The rocker linkage is made from CNC-machined alumnium, with Antidote saying titanium and aluminium bolts are used throughout the suspension linkage.
With a maximum of 135mm rear-wheel travel, the brand says the shorter-travel design has enabled it to shave weight from the bike.
The Woodsprite features a new Smart FDS linkage, which is based on the brand's FDS design.
This new Smart FDS, or Floating Damping System, uses a split-pivot approach that sees the rear shock placed behind the seat tube.
Compared to the FDS, this linkage uses a fixed pivot point instead of a floating pivot point.
Antidote says this is in the interest of weight savings, with shorter-travel applications not benefiting greatly from the original solution.
The linkage makes the Woodsprite compatible with both air-spring and coil shocks, and the brand says positioning the shock low has dropped the bike's centre of gravity.
A lower centre of gravity makes it easier to move the bike from side to side, which should help it when cornering.
Antidote says there are high levels of anti-squat throughout the cassette for maximum efficiency on the climbs and that it has tailored the amount of pedal kickback for high stability over bumps, while retaining a lively suspension feel.
The suspension linkage is said to put no rotation through the rear shock, resulting in increased sensitivity off the top.
The Woodsprite runs on 29in wheels front and rear, and has clearance for 2.6in tyres.
Internal cable routing is used and home mechanics will rejoice at the fact that it enters the frame through the down tube.
The brand claims a size-Medium frame tips the scale at 2.5kg, including all the frame protectors.
Geometry
Antidote only offers the Woodsprite in three sizes: M, L and XL, with reach measurements ranging from 455mm to 515mm.
The bike’s geometry sits in the trail segment, with the head angle measuring 65.5 degrees and the effective seat tube angle at 76.5 degrees.
Long reach measurements set it apart, with Antidote saying this is to move the centre of gravity forward – likely to balance out the rear-shock position, which is further back than on most mountain bikes.
Spec details
The Woodsprite we have in for testing has spent some time on the configuratior, with the bike featuring a Fox Factory 34 fork and a Float X Factory rear shock.
Shimano’s XT drivetrain and brakes are used for shifting and stopping, with all components featuring the XT moniker, apart from the SLX chain.
Mavic CrossMax wheels are booted in Continental rubber, with an Argotal used up front and a Kryptotal at the rear.
