When was it that Ventana launched El Capitan, their 4″ full-suspension bike?
Not long ago. It’s still probably the toughest 29″er money can buy, and now offered with 5″ rockers too.
Some smaller builders are even using it’s rear end as a basis for a custom frame. Ventana owner and designer Sherwood Gibson was converted to a 29″ junkie by his own first prototype for the El Capitan, and since has been putting out products where his heart lies.

Ventana already has two 29″ hardtails out, El Padrino and El Commandante, your choice of gears, one or many, decides which you’ll want.

Since those 3 consecutive new 29″ models, only the El Fuego, a 26″ FS racer, was recently added to the line-up. Now, 29″er #4 is on it’s way . El Patron will be El Fuego’s bigger brother.

El Patron will have around 3.5″ of rear wheel travel and is expected to be a rather lightweight, racey kind of bike. First frames are at the heat treater right now. When the Intense Spider 29″ comes to the market later this year, it will have to deal with…El Patron!

Ventana’s main competitor, Turner, is also not sitting still. They’re announcing a 2*100mm frame “due this fall”. Calculated @ under 6.5lb for the 18″ frame.

See, unless you’re shopping for geared hardtails, a lot of exiting bikes are heading your way, and soon!