Dartmoor - Eurobike 2012
Manufactured with 7005 aluminum, Dartmoor's Two6Player frame bucks the steel trend that is the norm in the dirt jump world. The frame's hydroformed down tube meets up with an especially compact chain stay yoke, allowing the Two6Player to feature a short 385mm/15.1'' rear end length. Looking at the yoke from above also reveals that it is asymmetrical, thereby allowing riders to fit a bigger chain ring without any clearance issues. An ISCG-05 chain guide mount is also present. While many dirt jumpers will likely use a 100mm travel fork on the bike, its tapered head tube can be fitted with up to a 130mm travel slider, putting the head angle at a trail-friendly 67°. The Two6Player is available in two sizes: a 'short' with a 545mm/21.4'' top tube, or the 'long' with a 574mm/22.6" length, and there is both a frame only and a complete bike option that is built with a mix of Dartmoor parts and a Suntour dirt jump fork. A Two6Player frame can be had for approximately $285.00 USD, which is a very competitive price.
It isn't often that we see any clever thinking when it comes to stems, with a new colour option often being the most noteworthy point. Dartmoor's Micron stem is quite shrewd in its design, though, with a multi-function bolt layout that sheds weight while also being very clean visually. The stem's left side faceplate bolts thread right through the body and do double duty as the steerer tube clamp bolts, while the right side faceplate bolts are traditional. This means that there are four steel bolts as opposed to six, but the design also makes for a very smooth backside that is far less likely to take a chunk out of an unprotected knee. Dartmoor says that loosening the the left side faceplate bolts to align the stem will not allow the handlebar to rotate so long as the right side stays tight. The CNC'd Micron stem is available in a single, short 30mm length, and weighs an impressive 137 grams. Note that it is only compatible with 25.4mm diameter bars, as size that Dartmoor offers a number of options in. The Micron retails for $85.00 USD.
Dartmoor's Revolt Pro Cassette hubs employ a cunning dual-tooth design to each of its six pawls, thereby doubling the amount of bite over a standard design. The layout, which has been used successfully by other brands for years now, offers thirty engagement points. The rear hub's aluminum freehub body and axle helps to keep the weight down (289 grams for the 12 x 135/142mm model), and everything is held together with press-fit cones that allow for tool-free maintenance. Dirt jumpers who are looking for a bolt-on rear hub are in luck: Dartmoor offers a 10 x 135mm rear hub that is held in place with 3/8'' chromoly bolts. Two other rear hub models are available as well, with a convertible 12 x 135/142mm that will fot most bikes, and a 12 x 150mm for the back of freeride and DH sleds. Approximate retail price for the Revolt Pro Cassette hub is $245.00 USD.
Dartmoor offers a line of hardtails and short travel full suspension frames, but a longer travel steed is absent from their lineup. That looks like it will change soon, though, with this yet to be named frame sitting pretty in their Eurobike booth. It isn't finalized at this point, but it is clear that Dartmoor is aiming for a freeride-friendly design rather than an all-out DH bike, although the current proto does sport adjustable travel from 180mm to 200mm. Simplicity and reliability look to be the goal, with its straightforward single pivot and linkage activated suspension not looking to challenge convention. It ticks all the boxes when it comes to particulars: a tapered head tube, 12 x 142mm rear end, and ISCG-05 chain guide tabs.
dartmoor-bikes.com
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All dartmoor products get loads of testing, constant development, like all brands thy have to try new ideas. For us as uk distributor we're so pleased to be part of the dartmoor family and riders like Ryan Nangle and Marcel Hunt have proved the products work. Only time we see there bikes is for a service, they ride them to death and have been great and no problems... This is fact. Some guys will break stuff but they will break anything, thats just how it is.
As for new 2013, new Wish Pro complete, looking fantastic, also two6 player, Phantom, hornet, all with new wider bb shells, now 73mm. New chainstay yokes? New hubs, brand new BMX range, yes mtb riders ride bmx too lol.
The new longer travel frame is still in the early stages of development;its not a wish, so may change but it shows the progression in dartmoor and the desire to offer bikes for more and more desciplines. I undestand from dartmoor HQ the new frame has no name yet and a comp to name it is on he way... Keep an eye on pinkbike.
Full details and uk prices coming real soon on www.slam69.co.uk. More photos coming on our pinkbike page... ;-)
In Poland it's just 669PLN, so about 215USD.