Prototype Morpheus Slopestyle Bike - Sea Otter 2014

Apr 11, 2014
by Mike Kazimer  
Morpheus Vimana Slope prototype

Morpheus' Prototype Slopestyle Bike

Morpheus gave us a look at their prototype bike called the Vimana Slope, an aluminum framed ride designed to handle the forces dealt out by the massive features found in modern slopestyle contests while still maintaining the handling characteristics of a hardtail. The bike has 83mm of rear travel and uses a concentric bottom bracket pivot that allows it to be run as a singlespeed. In a departure from previous full suspension offerings from Morpheus, the Vimana Slope's swingarm rotates on sealed cartridge bearings - there are no bushings to be found anywhere on the frame. Keeping with Morpheus' goal of making the bike feel as similar to a hardtail as possible, the chainstay length is only 375mm (14.8"), one of the shortest of any full suspension bike currently on the market. In addition to the polished finish seen on the prototype, Morpheus will be offering two powdercoated options in blue and red with several different graphics packages.
Morpheus Vimana Slope Details
• Aluminum frame with carbon rocker link
• Intended use: slopestyle
• Concentric bottom bracket pivot
• 83mm travel
• 375mm chainstays
• Available early fall 2014
• MSRP $1500 USD (frame w/shock)

Morpheus Vimana Slope prototype
A carbon fiber rocker arm moves the rear shock through its 83mm of travel, and a concentric bottom bracket pivot allows the Vimana Slope to be run as a singlespeed.

The rocker link that activates the rear shock is constructed from carbon fiber wrapped around a foam core, a design choice that keeps the weight down without losing any frame stifness. The bike's leverage ration has been lowered compared to Morpheus' Skyla, the bike that team athletes had previously been using for slopestyle contests with courses deserving of a fully suspended ride. This reduced leverage ratio means that riders won't need to run as much air pressure in the rear shock to get the ride feel they are looking for.

Morpheus Vimana Slope prototype
The Vimana Slope's stout head tube junction is gussetted to deal with the stresses doled out by slopestyle riders. Like the Vimana hardtail, the Slope uses Morpheus' unique sliding dropout system.

Although the prototype we saw was ready to ride, and team athletes will be competing on versions of this frame, full production is still a few months out - expect the final product to be available in late summer or early fall of this year.


www.morpheusbikes.com

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mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

72 Comments
  • 70 3
 For a few moments I was terrified that was a 29er slope style bike. That would have been a step too far!
  • 13 2
 For some reason this looks way out of proportion, more than any other bike I can think of
  • 11 3
 Have you seen the Carbon DH? I think Morpheus will catch on how to make a normal bike in a couple years....
  • 5 1
 It's weird because I cant find anything wrong (except for the dropout) when I look at the parts but when I look at the whole bike something just isn't right.
  • 3 7
flag Quesadilla34 (Apr 11, 2014 at 20:44) (Below Threshold)
 I love the way that the seat stays line up to the top tube though, I've predicted this look, and think it will catch on. Hopefully they can clean it up though
  • 5 1
 It's definitely one of the keys to a good looking bike and it has it. But like I said, it still looks... off.
  • 18 3
 Fuck that. I must respectfully disagree. I'd ride that bike until I'm shitting in a bag and being spoon fed applesauce. Morpheus makes nothing short of vicious bikes. Regardless of your asthetic preferences.
  • 11 0
 Jeez okay okay ride the bike lol
  • 4 1
 I'm wondering if the stays extended up from closer to the rear axle, which would raise the line above where it is now so the TT would meet the seat tube a bit higher up, to stay parallel with the stays, if it wouldn't look better? Then that little support tube could be gotten rid of. I hate those things.

Maybe it looks funny 'cuz they're tryin' to stealth in some 650Bs onto the slope?
  • 3 3
 I'm thinkin' the dropout screws it up. the chain and seat stays meet closer to the BB, so the line from the seat stays to the top tube is shorter than I'm used to seeing. That means that the triangle shape of the entire frame is smaller, so the wheels look bigger.
  • 4 0
 I'm thinking you guys should first ride a morpheus and then discuss it's appearance in great detail.
  • 5 1
 Words can't describe how much I like this bike and Morpheus in general
  • 3 6
 Those dropouts are longer than this guys dick. /\
  • 3 3
 I agree with The-Dirt-Farmer...the drop outs do screw the bike up
  • 3 1
 @fecalmaster, those drop outs are only an inch
  • 1 1
 You realize shift + 6 does the "^" symbol, right?
  • 27 3
 looks like so much detail went into the main frame but when they got to the drop outs....well it looks like an erector set came into play! blah!
  • 5 9
flag cthorpe (Apr 11, 2014 at 16:22) (Below Threshold)
 Common on prototypes so they can easily move and play With different geometry. I'm sure they'd refine it on production model
  • 16 4
 I doubt it. They look the same as the Vimana hardtail. Not a fan either.
  • 6 1
 yah, never liked the dropouts on the Vimana... look weird as hell
  • 4 1
 They seem wierd and look weak but have proven to be strong ehough and give the frame different lines to any other DJ or SS bike out there. From a distance you can always tell a Morpheus by its steep Top Tube and chanstay as well as its tiny looking frame. I think they will stay for a practical and marketing standpoint
  • 1 0
 That black-eagle-nodes-rocker is to blaim!!!
  • 16 2
 the sliding dropout looks interesting, i'd like to know how many riders snap it when they huck to flat a few to many times
  • 8 2
 If messere hasn't snapped them yet, then they're going to snap.
  • 7 0
 Not going to snap
  • 14 0
 I raced a couple dh races with my vimana for shits and giggles. Stiffer than a 20 year old on Viagra
  • 1 0
 lol
  • 13 0
 Those welds though...beautiful!
  • 6 1
 Most people don't know what it takes to weld because they don't weld but that those are beautiful!!
  • 6 0
 As far as design goes, Morpheus is thinking function ahead of form.Tight, strong slopebike which allows single speed. Dropouts are strong. If Anthony aint breaking them, you must be some kind of hucker to do so.Go ride a Vimana, if it rides like that, its a winner. Sick bike
  • 6 0
 I like Morpheus they're the only bike company who think outside the box. Literally all bikes are exactly the same except Morpheus.
  • 5 1
 Looks amazing congrats! We can't wait to stock these at North Shore Bike Shop!
  • 2 0
 This bike looks dope, but if they are trying to emulate the vimana why go with tapered
  • 1 1
 The vimana is also a tapered headset
  • 3 1
 Thanks morpheusSmile wait till i buy a ticket s for too much then release this beauty. Great ideaSmile
  • 3 0
 Those weld beads though!!
  • 5 2
 now thats one dope ride
  • 1 2
 I was at sea otter and saw it, talked to the Morpheus guys, and found out it is a Morpheus vimana with rear suspension. It's sick in person. Anyone at sea otter must see it!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 The geometry looks almost identical to the hardtail vimana . Good work morpheus you've made me want to build a new bike now
  • 2 0
 my transition double is looking a bit worried this morning....
  • 1 0
 One of the best bikes I've ever ridden!
  • 1 0
 True I jumped around on it. Very fun!
  • 1 0
 Those welds. Rolling Nickles.
  • 2 1
 that is one mean gearing.
  • 1 0
 Fast glance - Wow... Dropouts and the rocker arm - WTF?
  • 1 0
 That thing looks like sooo much fun! Way to go short chain stays.
  • 2 1
 Looks like a kids bike
  • 1 0
 cutty bike
  • 1 0
 CHOOOOOOOOBIIIIIEEEEE
  • 1 2
 kinda like a done up Volkswagon Beatle.
  • 2 4
 Looks a bit like the canyon proto
www.pinkbike.com/photo/10445696
  • 2 4
 most slope bikes will look similar in geometry since they're trying to emulate their hard tail model
  • 1 0
 This morpheus is way tighter out back.
  • 2 1
 Doesn't look like that frame at all honestly.
  • 1 0
 they sound like my father when he looks at just about any two motor vehicles, besides say a truck and a motorcycle.
  • 1 3
 This is not the most beautiful bike I've seen. Really not.
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