Editor’s Note: “c_g” is back with another report from the Riva del Garda festival, and some important news for the European 29′er freaks….

Hi there and greetings from the beautiful Riva del Garda in Northern Italy where the Sympatex Bike Festival is held annually. I have been roaming the rows of stand here in the last three days and collecting news on what could become interesting news for us, the 29er crowd.

To comments beforehand:

1, While last year when asking the brands about their plans with 29er you got a blank face and huge question mark hanging over everyone´s faces. This year most brands I talked to commented that they are seriously thinking about making a 29er or are already in the design/prototype stage. Last year even though the company may have had a 29er in their portfolio, it was near impossible to see, let alone demo one.

2, Last year I recall only a handful riders on the important marathon race held alongside the festival actually racing 29er (partly also because 29er back then were still banned form official ranking, this year I have been told there was a serious rage among the racers on 29ers cheering at one another and even bystanders screaming: “29er go!”.

Is Europe embracing the big wheels now? Hmm, not sure but the signs are positive that things are moving forward. Amongst them are brands formerly alien to 29ers like:

DT- SWISS (no details or products on the show but we have seen the news from SEA OTTER and got the definite confirmation from them as well for the EURO market
FOCUS is quoted: “Yes, we will be introducing a 29er not too far into the future”
(obviously the few pictures around of their 29er have neither been showing the final product, nor was SEA OTTER the official release)

GEAX; just after introducing the 29er tubulars, they already have at least one new tread pattern in the line for the 29er version)
SCHWALBE with the recently released best sellers in 29er: Nobby Nic and Rocket Ron they are proving their newly won faith and commitment in 29ers.
FRM will introduce some 29er specific drive train components
….. and from the US manufacturers like MANITOU, SUN-RINGLE & TOMAC we received some promising bits of info on some more stuff to come.
…. So I think we have some interesting times ahead of us J.

Overall there were not too many new things displayed at this show, which had not been shown or introduced earlier, so I will give you something like a short photo story of my personal 3 favorites:

NINER AC2Niner AC1Niner AC3

1, Upon frequent request – here coma a few shots of the NINER Air Carbon frame in size large:I was told this one was the very last and final pre-production sample before actually going into production. The weight was said to be below 1300 g which sure is respectable. (Already after the very short ride to the location for pictures, I can already say, that this sure is one of the bikes I´d love to have a longer ride time on. Proven geometry in a lighter and what upon first impression seems a more resilient ride.) No word on actual availability but wait for some official announcement by NINER to follow shortly.

MT1MT2MT2 (2)

2, The small German manufacturer MI-TECH has had an alloy 29er in their program for some time but have only recently introduced the TYKE29 Carbon – a ~ 1250 g carbon frame with an Bushnell EBB (+ 150 g) option and Rohloff OE dropouts (see pictures). All frames easily accommodate a voluminous 2.4 tire. On one bike I have seen something that could be the first hint of a splittable right seat stay (which they already offer on their alloy bikes) , which would mean ….(??? All you avid reader know what I am hinting at, don´t you.) …. Yes this could mean there is a super light Carbon 29er compatible with Rohloff and Gates Carbon drive on the horizon. Be sure that I will be looking closely what is happening there.

Oh yes, the frame is 100 % Euro design and production, is available in raw carbon or any RAL color you desire and will retail for a respectable € 1399.- for the standard geometry and € 1649.- for a custom frame. For more info see http://www.mi-tech.de/ or contract info@mi-tech.de.

BB1BB2

3. Last but not least I am proud to announce the very first sample of the second production of the BLACKBUCK by Of Spirit bikes Mark Slate´s private brand, has been introduced to the public at Garda Festival. Ever since Eurobike´09 I have been cooperating with Mark Slate (the co-founder of WTB, founder of OS bikes and the father of the Blackbuck) to complete the second production run. I have enjoyed this so much, that I decided to handle the European distribution for the Blackbuck in Europe. (So, yes the other piece of news is that not only there is a second production of Blackbucks ahead but also, that they will be available in Europe, too)

The sample shown is the world premier – the very first BLACKBUCK II (just arrived and built before the show). … you like it? I do. I am not at liberty to let you in on the details (yet) but rest assured that it will stay a true Blackbuck (a DO-IT-ALL, GO-ANYWHERE, multi purpose bike with a long history and good touch of uniqueness) but with some cool new features. The final product (frame and matching rigid steel fork) is expected to be available later in the summer. For those who can´t wait there are still a few complete Blackbucks from the first production available through Mark.

I know there is potential in conflicting interests between being a tester and my commercial interest in the bike, so don´t expect more input from my side than pure facts and numbers. If there will be a review done on the bike it will not be by me. Yet, I still hope you enjoy these first pictures.

For further info you can contact us at info@osbikes.de (for the Euro side) or mark@osbikes.com (USA)

Ciaociao (yes I had a good time and some pleasant DOLCE VITA,
Ride on,

c_g