Propain Rage CF "First Edition" – Carbon DH Bike
The new Rage CF carbon downhill bike by Propain was definitely one of the highlights at the Eurobike 2016. After the success of the Tyee CF it was the next logical step to upgrade the downhill bike to carbon as well. The new full carbon frame features a wide variety of geometry options. Three different top tube lengths and two different chain stay lengths are possible for each frame size to perfectly adjust the geometry to the rider, the track, or the riding style. Just like the Tyee CF in 2016, the Rage CF will be available as a limited “First Edition” for pre-order, priced at € 4,999 and in an exclusive color.
 | We wanted to design a bike which is capable of winning World Cup races, but at the same time, is versatile enough to be the perfect bike for weekend fun on bike park tracks. - Robert Krauss |
Propain – Evolution in Development
Constant evolution is the mantra of Propain’s development team. The new Rage CF represents the fourth generation of Propain’s downhill bike, but this time the result might as well be called revolutionary. The frame has been redesigned to get the best out of the carbon attributes, and features a whole host of new improvements and adjustments. What has stayed the same, though, is the highly acclaimed Pro10 suspension system, which combines pedal efficiency with small-bump sensitivity.
The Rage CF can be built just below 15kg (33pounds) and is one of the lightest Downhill bikes available. The frame weight tips the scale at 3.1kg (6.8 pounds) which is more than 500g lighter than the aluminum version. Even though the frame weight is impressive, it was not even the main development objective. The primary development goal was to use the properties of the carbon material in order to create a stiffer bike with a much more predictive feel than is achievable with an aluminium frame.
A lot of input from the Propain Dirt Zelvy Worldcup team went into the development of the frame. The riders, along with Ben Reid, know exactly what is needed to get the most out of the bike. As a result, the Rage CF features a new and revolutionary reach adjustment which, along with the new chain stay length adjustment, enables you to adapt the bike perfectly to your size, track and riding style. Surprisingly, the feedback from all team riders on the head angle was similar, so Propain decided to refrain from head angle adjustment and instead focused on reach and the chainstay length adjustment. Also, the suspension system was tweaked towards perfection.The beginning-stroke progression was increased to make the bike sit higher in travel.
The new suspension kinematics produce a more progressive rate in the beginning of the stroke (blue line)
One Bike for Everyone
While most bikes currently on the market trend towards shorter chain stays, the new Rage CF can be adjusted to feature a whopping 459mm chain stay length for ultimate stability at high speeds. “This was a request from our WC riders” says head of R&D Robert Krauss. For those who prefer shorter chain stays the length can be set to the short position at 445mm length. This bike perfectly meets Propain’s objective to develop a bike that is versatile enough to win WC races but is just as great for simply having fun with your buddies in the bike park.
dropout "chip" can be reversed to alter the the chainstay length by 14mm
Oval headset cups can be reversed to change the reach (and top tube length) by 10mm.
Attention to Detail meets Versatility
The novel reach adjustment provides a yet unknown flexibility to adjust the frame size according to your needs, your size or the track. Simply by flipping the headset cups the reach can be adjusted by +/-10mm and with another centred cup the frame can be ridden in the 0mm position. Combined with the new chain stay adjustment this will give you tons of options to customize the geometry to your needs. Combining all the given options the wheelbase can be adjusted by a total of 34mm.
Rage CF First Edition
As known from previous product launches at Propain there will be a limited, highly exclusive “First edition” of the new Rage CF. The bike will be available in a limited volume for pre-order starting at midnight on the 10/10/2016. Besides an amazing build kit the frame is dressed in a stunning matte royal blue, which is only available for the First Edition.
Details
• Carbon monocoque main frame
• Unique reach adjustment (+10 mm / 0 mm / -10 mm)
• Chain stay length adjustment (445 mm / 459 mm)
• Internal cable routing (optimized not to interfere with a race plate)
• Combined fork bumper and cable routing
• Durable and strong down tube protection made of durable plastic material
• Exchangeable ISCG mount to protect the frame against heavy impacts
• New, future proof metric sized shock (250x75mm)
• Threaded BSA bottom bracket
• Carbon monocoque main frame
• Unique reach adjustment (+10 mm / 0 mm / -10 mm)
• Chain stay length adjustment (445 mm / 459 mm)
• Internal cable routing (optimized not to interfere with a race plate)
• Combined fork bumper and cable routing
• Durable and strong down tube protection made of durable plastic material
• Exchangeable ISCG mount to protect the frame against heavy impacts
• New, future proof metric sized shock (250x75mm)
• Threaded BSA bottom bracket
Specifications
• Fork: Fox 40 Factory
• Shock: ]Fox Float X2 Factory
• Drivetrain: Sram X01 DH 1x7
• Crankset: Sram X01 DH Carbon
• Brakes: Magura MT7 First Edition
• Wheels: Zelvy Carbon DH 35
• Handlebar: Sixpack Millenium Carbon 785
• Stem: Sixpack Millenium 35
• Seat Post: Sixpack Forward
• Saddle: Sixpack Kamikaze
• Tyres: Onza Ibex DHC 650B
• Frame Sizes: S/M and L/XL
• Weight: 15.1kg
• Price: € 4,999
• Fork: Fox 40 Factory
• Shock: ]Fox Float X2 Factory
• Drivetrain: Sram X01 DH 1x7
• Crankset: Sram X01 DH Carbon
• Brakes: Magura MT7 First Edition
• Wheels: Zelvy Carbon DH 35
• Handlebar: Sixpack Millenium Carbon 785
• Stem: Sixpack Millenium 35
• Seat Post: Sixpack Forward
• Saddle: Sixpack Kamikaze
• Tyres: Onza Ibex DHC 650B
• Frame Sizes: S/M and L/XL
• Weight: 15.1kg
• Price: € 4,999
Rage CF Geometry
![Images for Propain Rage CF First Edition Carbon dream bike blog]()
MENTIONS: @PROPAIN-Bicycles
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step 1: give it a sweet paint job
step 2: give it a sick spec
step 3: have a sick edit with phill atwill riding it
step 4: watch the sales roll in
Step 6: inevitably wait for 'looks like a session' comment, and then facepalm.
The new saracen and commencal have similar ideas with almost as much reach adjustment but use push / interference fit cups which you can guarrantee will be reliable, I imagine after a while this could get creaky pretty fast, I also hate proprietory parts on a bike, love the idea though.
I know headset bearings are often a fairly loose fit and locate onto a tapered surface but this is putting a loose bearing in a loose headcup in the frame - Lots to move around.
Still not something I like the look of, the slightest wear on the frames headtube would lead to a lot of trouble.
Propain should do a small video / drawing to make the headsets function a bit more clear as it is one of the selling points of the bike.
Small insertion, non interference fit, carbon frame, offset bearings, not a combination I would prefer in a headset, sure it is tool-free but now many people will change their reach by such a large amount track-side, and on a regular basis?
Saracens Myst system is very similar with alignment tabs inside the headtube but they use an interference fit headset to ensure once it is inside the frame it stays solid.
Which ones?
I have never seen this bike win a WC race.
Essentially you have the concept of an integrated headset within an integrated headset and no interference fit - You will be using bearing pre-load to keep the headcups in the frame.
There is a reason the Cane Creek Angleset creaks like a pig while fixt angle headsets are all good.
If it works, brilliant, its a great concept, I am sure you will find out once bikes are out under private riders.
From PROPAIN:
We tested the system quite throroughly and of course found a few points to improve in the meantime.
But one thing never ever happended and that is creaking. We were very concerned about possible creacking noises before testing the first time but we never could get a single creack out of the head set cups. We even tried to by throwing dust into the headtube before mounting it, mounting them without lumbrication etc. To our own suprise no noise. I guess it the carbon metal connection thats more forgiving.
Otherwise the cups lay in the frame similar to whats known from integrated headsets i.e. conical surface. The only difference is that we need to prevent the rotation of the cups by little notches left and right. Otherwise the principle is proven thousands of times in many other regular headsets on most other bikes out there.
I suppose in a privateers hands with a mass-production bike the truth will come out pretty quickly and if what Propain say is true then its a great feature, the frame looks lovely and the price is up there with the best.
Taper is a non issue on what looks to be less than 5mm of insertion, plus the headcup sits on a tapered seat so it is not relevant, the seat is locating the headcup and not the outside diameter like it would in an interference fit headset.
As I said, if it works then great - its a huge asset for the frame.
I have a frame here that has an ovalised headtube, both headset and frame were within tolerance when assembled and 3 months heavy racing caused enough damage that the headset creaks heavily in use and requires a low amount of force to install - The frame is from a quality manufacturer and north of $1800 cost for frame only - This was not my bike and I was not the rider by the way, I was asked if there was a solution for the issue which would only be machining the headtube oversize and a custom headcup or retaining compound. The frame was scrapped.
This sums up one of the reasons I think a loose-fitting headset in DH frame is not a great idea.
What I have been doing though is spending the last 12 years involved in the cycling industry and engineering, how else do you think I have a frame here (ex WC DH Race frame I may add) with an ovalised headtube?
In addition to this, I also know of two riders who destroyed a top level DH bike headtube (Will remain un-named as I don't want to bash the company who provided great warranty support) , one from flat landing, the other from a front end impact, shallow insertion headcups lead to a crack and completely destroyed frame.
Have you ever thought that other peoples first hand experience goes beyond that of your own, sheltered opinion?
I apologise for not having pictures of my antisocial tattoos, horrendous bike builds or pathetic riding photos on pinkbike so you can approve my ability to fight you in some strange make believe world of yours.
From your photos I can see many times before you threatening people with violence so I would suggest you seem mental help, anger management or similar before you wind acting out your weird imagination and hurting somebody or getting yourself hurt.
@protour was not okay with the demo's seat tube. Haha
Cool bike
If they meant to say that the beginning of the stroke is more progressive than the Al version, that doesn't quite seem to match either. The first 60mm seems perfectly linear which wasn't the case with the Al version. Again all fine as I believe progression isn't that useful this early in the travel. I definitely believe the CF curve is more sensible. I can see the Al customer will want that as well!
Its curve above is actually the 1st derivative (i.e gradient) of the curve we are revering to as beeing linear or progressive (the realationship between shock travel and rear wheel travel). Hence a horizintal line in the graph above would represent a linear suspension. Anything pointing upwards is progressive.
But yeah you are right. Looking at this curve only.... its for sure partly a linear curve.
Hope my comment made it more clear...
Cheers