We are very fortunate to have a European contributor in “c_g” who can attend the Eurobike trade and consumer bicycle show in Germany. Although the show is over, “c_g” will continue to download a few more reports to us from all the information he gathered. Here is his first report regarding bicycles from the show.
EUROBIKE´10 – part 3 (Bikes- the first) by “c_g”
OK, we have covered the ride impressions and sights from DEMO day and the impressive number of newly introduced tires of Eurobike 2010. Leaves us with bikes/frames and components. This post will cover some of the full bikes by manufacturers who have just entered the 29er market. ROSE will only be retailed in Europe but just like we Euros had found ways to get 29er stuff from the US before it had been available officially, I am sure you US citizens will get what you want – if you want it 
. SCOTT and ORBEA are available worldwide.
There have been so many companies showing one or two models of 29″ers (many of which still being prototypes or pre-production models and the decision on whether they’d make it into regular production was delayed until later) that I am in no way claiming that my coverage is conclusive but be sure: I did my best.
So much for the opening – let´s see what I found:
SCOTT, USA
This big player in the bike biz has already introduced their super lightweight 29″er bikes called SCALE 29 at an unbelievably low, world record weight of the bare frame of nor more than 949 gm. This bike and its 26” counterpart have been in the press earlier this year, but Eurobike has been the public introduction with all models showing. There will be a total of 5 models available, two featuring carbon frames (though only the top end RC will have the sub-1 kg frame) and 3 with the equally good looking alloy version. The alloy versions have a 1 1/8 headset and external cable routing while the carbon frames feature a tapered head tube and internal routing. No word on geometry as of yet.
The carbon frames besides aiming for direct power transfer through a laterally stiff chassis have some minimal looking, seat stays for extra shock absorption called SDS.
The top-end RC will carry premium parts including FOX fork, XX shifting and braking components and some goody Ritchey Carbon pieces, plus the exclusive DT-Swiss XR29 wheels, resulting in a claimed weight of 9.6 kg (21.15 lbs). Pretty impressive.
I have had the chance very late during demo day to take a super short “parking lot spin” and by this I got the impression of a rather well balanced and promising bike for both racing and performance riding.
The prices range from swooping € 5299.- (US prices not given at Eurobike) for the SCALE 29 RC to a entry level € 999.- for the SCALE 29 COMP. In my opinion the most interesting bike is the carbon framed SCALE 29 PRO (slightly heavier than the RC´s frame due to different carbon quality) with Rock Shox REBA RL, SRAM X9/X7 mix and Elixir 5 brakes plus a nice DT-Swiss wheelset at a repectable claimed 10.8 kg (27,8 lbs) and a reasonable € 2399.-.
All the bikes look pretty sharp and I am working to get a leg thrown over one of them later this year.
ROSE BIKES :
ROSE is a direct distributor and is yet another one of those German based companies showing their first entries into the 29″er world. There will be two versions called MR. RIDE – only the upper version MR. RIDE 6 was shown. As usual for ROSE (due to their direct retailing sales model) you find unusually high grade components on the bikes for the frames. The frames were hydroformed and manipulated wherever possible with massive down tubes. Here is a short spec list:
The MR. RIDE 6 features a FOX RLC 100 mm fork, SRAM X0/X9 drivetrain with SYNCROS wheels and cockpit and FORMULA R1 brakes for € 1999.-. It´s claimed weight is 11,2 kg (~ 24.6 lbs). The bike shown is the “Caribbean Blue / Pearl White” color scheme, alternatively there will be an “Anodized Black” as well.
The MR. RIDE 2 (wonder why there are two models only with the numbers 2 and 6?) features slightly more budget components with RS REBA RLT 29”, SRAM X9 drivetrain, SUN RINGLE RYDE wheels and FORMULA RX brakes. The bike is to weight at 12.1 kg (~ 26.8 lbs) and retails for a very good € 1299,-; again the same color schemes as MR. RIDE 6.
The bikes are expected to be available by Mid November. A peculiar thing on the bikes was the compact appearance ,(but appearance can be deceiving as we know), and the high front end that made me wonder about the bike´s handling. Since there were no geometries available, and I have had no opportunity for a ride, this is all I can give you for now.
ORBEA:
The Spanish based bike company had been one of the first companies to seriously enter the 29er market with the introduction of the ALMA in 2006. The bike has received a serious redesign, with several new features which Guitar Ted has covered in this post, (here), therefore I will spare you the design features, but here at Eurobike they had been revealed in their final versions.
The Carbon frame goes by the name ALMA S (4 versions from S TEAM, S10, S30 to S 50) and two color options in CARBON or WHITE (don´t know why but I like the white one 
).
The alloy frame by ALMA H (three models from H10 to H50) is coming in black with the option of silver, red or blue accents.
So far I have no prices so simply enjoy the pictures out of their two top end models the Carbon ALMA S TEAM (white, upper) and the ALMA H10 (Carbon, lower).
The geometry is the same with both frames as shown below.
Stay tuned for some more EUROBIKE news (and the ride report of the NINER AIR 9 CARBON cannot be too far away either )
RIDE ON,
c_g
Anything (read: forks) from Magura ?
Besides that announcement of entirely carbon disc brakes.
Ojos Azules: Magura is one of those companies that still need to come around to 29er. They denied any thinking of a 29er fork and that hurt my feelings so badly that I didn´t look around any more for news in the brake segment, but I have not heard of anything.
c_g
How about some info on the new khs full suspension 29er.
Doesnt look to be called a flagstaff. has a tapered head tube ect…
Am I the only person not all that impressed with a 27.8lbs carbon hardtail? You could build a steel bike up that weighs that much, or less. My Jabberwocky is 25.1lbs set up 1×9 with a rigid carbon fork. Add a suspension fork and you’re up to about 27.1lbs. A FD and shifter wont add much more weight.
Dman: good we have reade that really Pay attention to detail – the SCOTT SCALE PRO’s weight should read 24.8 lbs. Better now? Impressed for Msrp. € 2399.-, I was.
c_g
Yeah, that’s better…makes more sense! Thanks for the update.
I like the orbea, and think it’s probably a sweet bike… but that kink in the top tube near the seat tube cluster is really weird. I guess I just don’t get it.
Hi c_g what about FS from Orbea?
Unless Scott build there own carbon frames, it is really just the same a the two buck Nashbar special…….same factory in Taiwan same guys building it……so what!
No shots of the new Salsa Fargo???
So a sub 1kg mtb frame is nothing special? A few years back a sub 1kg road frame was a milestone. If it can hold out to xc riding and racing then I’m impressed no matter where its made.
@MG: I looked everywhere for Fargo shots, but I do not think the new one was there. I’m thinking Interbike is where it will debut. I could have missed it, but I don’t think so.
Willie,
Tell me who makes their own super light carbon 29er? Who is special?
The only major company who makes ALL their own carbon bikes is Giant and they have not released their carbon 29 frame yet….
JR
10.8 kg = 23.8#…correct?
Deuc9er: Yes – correct. (sometimes it takes two times to get it right
JR: I dont really get your point. It is true that most manufactureres have their Carbon frames done by one of the few producers that have the experience and tooling to really produce super high end Carbon frames but that is simply a fact and to me does not take much away from the design achievement of any company producing Carbon frames. Outsourcing is nothing uncommon in the bike industry (or in any industry for that matter) – even with steel and alloy frames (not event o mention components
).
) and simply cut & stick them together to a frame – is that “own production”. See where I am going?
Giant (I guess that is the comapny you ment in your question) is only offering their “own production frames” (not sure to what extend that is really true) because they do have the size and quantitiy to back up the huge investment in machines and tooling to produce their “own” Carbon bikes.
Let´s get pilosophical for once: Where do you draw the line of “own production” – Probably only a hand full of manufacturers can afford to built every single piece on their bikes by them selves (only the real artisian custom builders and the reall biggies probably). Is taking some pre-existing Carbon tubes still own production? How about the custom steel builders that basically order brand name tubing (the ones that in our minds assure quality
But in the end it will be your decision what bike to buy and where/who made it – and that is a good thing, right?
c_g
G_G,
I was commenting to Willie…..
He was complaining about Scott not manufacturing their own bikes and that it is just another run of the mill asian frame.
I was disagreeing with Willie and pointing out that no one other than Trek for 2011 only is making a carbon 29er. Old Superfly’s were all Asian frames.
Giant is the only company to make ALL their own bikes including carbon. They have not released their carbon 29er for 2011, but it is coming this Spring as I am told.
Hmmm …. OK, then my comment was going out to Willie (… maybe I shouldn´t respond to comments before I had my morning coffee
).
But to answer both your comments (Willie´s and yours JR) – look at my most recent post EUROBIKE part IV and you´ll see an Italian manufacturer (VINER), that does it (meaning a Carbon 29er) all by themselves.
c_g