Hyper's 650B DH Bike Lives - Interbike 2016

Sep 21, 2016
by Mike Levy  
Interbike 2016


Hyper

Hyper, a well-known name in the BMX world, had been showing a few different prototype mountain bikes a few years ago, including a mid-travel all-mountain rig being developed by Eric Carter, and a burly looking downhill sled that saw action under Cam Zink before the Reno native made the move to YT. It seemed to end there, however, with no further news from Hyper on the mountain bike front. But walking by Hyper's Interbike booth would have you believing otherwise, with three different bikes on display, including their 203mm-travel 650B DH sled.

650B DH Details

• Intended use: downhill / freeride
• Wheel size: 27.5''
• Rear wheel travel: 203mm
• Frame material: aluminum
• Floating lower shock link
• Frame weight: TBA
• Availability: 2017
• MSRP: TBA
The frame was treated to an eye-catching paint job, done by a local custom painter, that was working as intended - everyone was stopping to snap a photo - but if the bike looks very similar to the prototype that we saw at Rampage a few years ago, it's because it's the same design. Hyper's Eric Carter explained that when they first designed the bike, they wisely chose to build it around 27.5'' wheels that have obviously taken over the market since then. He also said that they're still extremely happy with the bike's performance, and that the production version will be unchanged besides stepping the head angle out from 64-degrees to somewhere in the 63-degree range.


Hyper
Hyper


The 650B DH's suspension appears to be a simple yet extremely solid looking single-pivot design that employs a large rocker arm to compress the Fox shock, but taking a look from the non-drive side of the bike reveals a compact linkage hidden just above the bottom bracket shell. So while the rocker compresses the shock from above, a short link attached near the bike's chainstay yoke pulls up on a link to compress the shock from below.

Not bolting the shock to the front triangle isn't a new thing - Trek and others before them have done it for years - but Carter did explain one main advantage when we last talked to him about the layout.

Their approach, he says, give them the ability to make changes to the bike's suspension characteristics by swapping out lower link components rather than having to replace the bike's rocker arm, which is a cost-effective method of suspension tuning during the bike's development. Right now, the linkage is designed to provide some extra ramp-up at the end of the stroke.
Hyper

Hyper has no plans to pursue a carbon fiber version of the 650B DH, instead focusing on hitting a reasonable price point when the bike does become available sometime in 2017. There will be three sizes - a small with a 547mm toptube; medium with a 572mm toptube; and a large with a 596mm toptube - and all three bikes will share the same 440mm rear-end and 350mm bottom bracket height.


Hyper
Hyper


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Hyper Interbike


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104 Comments

  • 453 18
 Didn't know they sold sessions at walmart
  • 21 77
flag bikingbayarea (Sep 21, 2016 at 18:05) (Below Threshold)
 What you can edit comments now
  • 23 1
 @bikingbayarea: Only on the desktop version of the site, and only within 3 minutes of posting the original comment.
  • 33 2
 Where are the mud-fenders and the streamers? That would make this bike a complete build.
  • 158 3
 I would love it if Wal-Mart sold this bike for cheap. I'm broke with a mortgage, and I miss having a DH bike. I would give no f*cks about that horrid paint job or supposedly supporting the "evil Wal-Mart". I'd put on greasy sweat pants and a stained Tasmanian Devil T-shirt and wait for Wal-Mart to open. Hell, I'd even trample a few motherf*ckers on Black Friday if I had to.
  • 40 3
 buy it and repaint it to red with Trek decals.
  • 15 0
 So is this the DH bike Bas van Steenbergen will be riding going forward?
  • 8 2
 @MTB-Colada: Him and Tom will have the exact same bike hahaha!
  • 1 0
 Well they sell Schwinns at Canadian Tire for years now, so... :/
  • 5 1
 @bikingbayarea: Not sure why all the downs on that one. This mob is just as f*ck whack as any. I learned something new thanks to this comment. Bumped it.
  • 8 0
 I came to read THE comment and Pinkbike delivered, as usual.
  • 5 1
 Yeah, bikes don't look as radically different anymore. Even the craziest bikes (gearbox, aero, belt drives, plus, etc etc) closely resemble the "Standard" thing. That's to be expected when an industry gets their shit together. Look at the auto industry, or the smarthpone industry. We make crazy designs, find out whats best and then fine tune and fine tune. I think bikes are on the right track; so what if they all look similar? You guys want body kits or something to make your bikes look different? What will make y'all happy, a 2016 reincarnation of the Slingshot or the y-frame??

@KooKilla your comment was great, I'm talking to the people who seem genuinely negative
  • 8 2
 @Trials-FTW: thanks bro some context of that moment is that the top comment, KooKilla actually commented "looks like a session" so then I replied "god dammit" then a minute after I posted it he changed it to that, so now my comment didn't make sense, so then I edited it, posting my realization of editing comments. Then I get extreme dislike! but hey, it happens
  • 1 0
 @trialsracer: Well put. I think bike frames will look similar from now on (for the most part). A front triangle with straight tubes, a rocker-link near where the seat tube and top tube meet, and a simple rear triangle, all with minor changes to meet the ride characteristic goals. (Rocky Maiden, Norco Aurum, Trek Session, Kona Operator, etc.). I would assume this would hit the weight/strength/ease of manufacturing goal since triangle are strong, and strait tubes weigh less than curves and are easier to manufacture (I think*).

Of course each company adds their own special touches, and not everyone follows that recipe, but I don't see manufacturers deviating from this path anytime soon.

(*Disclaimer: I don't hold any fancy engineering degrees. everything is under assumption)
  • 6 0
 @bikingbayarea: hahaha pinkbike comment section has no mercy
  • 3 0
 Trek called they want there session back
  • 1 0
 @Session603: If they sold this bike for under £1200 I would buy it just for the £1500 fork
  • 1 0
 Hahahaha
  • 81 4
 Its about time someone made a bike that doesnt ressemble a session at all!
  • 20 0
 it doesn't, it resembles a candy bar from the 80's Smile
  • 7 1
 @sewer-rat: i was thinking more kona operator
  • 4 0
 @doe222: Just needs a banana seat
  • 1 0
 Redalp says hi.
  • 74 1
 Ok, all you 'looks like a session' guys.......GO
  • 9 8
 Session & Gambler baby? Koochi koochi kooh.
  • 12 2
 Looks like every other mainstream dh bike
  • 2 4
 Looks like an IH sunday to me.
  • 2 0
 stinky
  • 18 2
 I wish some could answer the age old question me.
What came first the session or the DH bike?
  • 5 2
 @T-Bot: For Trek? They had a DH bike before the Session series, but it was called Diesel (if I recall correctly). Then again the first Session bikes (the 7 and the 77) weren't DH bikes. The first Session DH bike would be the 10.

Does that answer your question?
  • 10 0
 @vinay: kind of, you answered a philosophical questions with facts.
  • 69 2
 Paint looks like the seats on a tour bus.
  • 50 0
 I was thinking it looks like casino carpet
  • 7 4
 In person it looks so good
  • 4 0
 @timrippeth: Nailed it!
  • 5 2
 You guys are messed up. That paint is awesome. Even more than the TLD Enduro
  • 36 2
 I have to say this one actually does LOOK LIKE A SESSION
  • 6 1
 I didn't notice first but YEAH YOU'RE RIGHT IT DOES !
  • 25 3
 F the haters, I'd get all over that thing.
  • 14 0
 Plus their reading comprehension issues. It's a custom paint job...not production
  • 20 3
 So I guess this is what Session on LSD with too much glitters laying around looks like
  • 7 0
 I love this more than the Sessions, the whole frame , triangle and angles is amazing... And adding these curves at the chainstay and rocker link is making her really sexy... Would like to buy that. One of the sexiest frames i`ve ever seen.
  • 10 4
 I think it looks great. Session maybe? No !! It's pure Hyper. Love it and the paint. It's unique in a generic world!!
  • 7 0
 Someone to rival Troys paintjobs
  • 3 9
flag zirkman (Sep 21, 2016 at 18:49) (Below Threshold)
 maderadbytony.com/tony-s-demo.html

Troy's bikes are painted by the same artist who originally designed this paint scheme.

The paint job on this Hyper is a total hack.
  • 19 1
 @zirkman:

This "paint scheme" has been around longer than most anyone painting these bikes have been alive. The Hyper job, while in your opinion may not be your cup of tea, is pretty spot on for a lowrider type custom candy and flake job, heavy flake, paneled in multicolor fades and lace. If you doubt this… google is your friend: lowrider lace candy flake. Who ever painted this is not a hack. Personally I like this better than most of Troy's creations on things bike related, though I am still a huge fan. Matter of taste IMO.
  • 4 7
 @ronnyg801: Apologies for not being more clear in my initial post. I do know this paint job style did indeed come from low riders and I'd never argue otherwise. Maderadbytony is very open about his liking of the low rider style and how it heavily influences the style of his personal projects.

I wasn't discrediting the skill of the guy who painted the hyper. He is obviously very talented and know how to lay down paint. I'd never argue that either. I called this a hack job because of the similarities in a few of the tube junctions and the nearly-identical rear triangle.

Also, no need to be a c*nt with the google comment. -- Very original, btw -- Did you even google "lowrider lace candy flake" as you suggested because when I did, you know what I saw? A lot of cars with a similar paint style but still look very unique because of the way the the painter and/or car builder applied that style with their personal spin.
  • 3 0
 @zirkman: I looked at both bikes not seeing the huge similarities you are talking about. Both paint schemes are stunning just based purely on the attention to detail. Calling a guy' paint work a hack because you feel it looks like another's paint work is plain wrong. The amount of work on both these paint jobs to make them look this way is awesome. While I may not paint my bike this way I can appreciate the time and attention to detail. It's hard to come up with truly unique paint schemes on an area so small. On a car there is a lot more surface area to make things look truly unique. Bike frames don't have that luxury and certain areas of transition are done on purpose simply because it's dam near impossible to mask in that area cleanly.
  • 2 0
 @ronnyg801: Yes the flake is sick! looks better in glass! lol. straight art right there!!
  • 10 4
 That thing is awesome, I love the colors!
  • 2 4
 maderadbytony.com/tony-s-demo.html
  • 2 1
 @zirkman: Thank you for the link!
I love this style of painting, do you do the work?
Simply awesome!
  • 2 0
 the black BB section does not help to understand the concept. After just reading the pinion article I could not figuer out how it's supposed to work. But there is an old article...
www.pinkbike.com/news/Cam-Zinks-Prototype-Hyper-Red-Bull-Rampage.html
  • 1 0
 Thanks for the link! I was trying to figure the linkage out but couldn't see the bottom rocker.
  • 4 0
 Interesting to see DVO Emerald with a Fox shock. And is that a Marzocchi Ti Spring?
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy : I have been waiting for this bike to come out for so long!!!! I wanna buy it so bad! its 2019 and still no release!!! When is this thing coming out i've called their office and talked to their Reps only to get the cold shoulder! does anyone have an idea or clue on this bike?
  • 4 0
 it makes me hungry for blocks of cheddar cheese
  • 4 0
 Get Scotty Cramner on one! And big boy!!
  • 2 2
 I have no comment on the bike as it will never see production just more wasted time for everyone. Is it just me or is the interbike coverage and over all presence lacking? So far I haven't seen anything worth purchasing over last years stuff and at a price increase! Get the f--k outta town. I'm still waiting for half the stuff promised to release in 2016 what a joke. If I ran my company the way these people run theirs i would be out of business. I feel as if the majority of the bike industry is just like that paint job flashy looking shit
  • 1 0
 I would ride it. Looks awesome, even if it is a Hyper. I think this is a good push in the industry it will force companies to continue with the trend of making more affordable rigs available.
  • 3 0
 I think Nakamura chipped in on the paint job
  • 2 0
 Option Z?
  • 5 3
 another session....................................................................
  • 3 0
 That's a lot of glitter...
  • 1 0
 Vegas
  • 2 0
 It may look somewhat like a session but the suspension does not work the same way.
  • 3 0
 That Marzocchi spring on Fox shock makes me cry Frown
  • 2 1
 How the hell did they think of such an original frame design? Kudos to the designers, must have taken the best part of 5 minutes to trace over a picture of the Session.
  • 6 4
 Hmmm. Am I the only one that thinks this looks like a session?
  • 3 2
 Says there will be no carbon fiber version to keep it affordable, shows the bike with DOV Emeralds
  • 2 0
 Every old schwinn seat metal flake color I ever had on a DH rig?? Sweet!!
  • 1 0
 You know that's not how you paint something like this don't you?
  • 1 0
 Besides the usual doom and gloom article from a certain terrible PB writer, interbike seems like it has been awesome.
  • 2 0
 looks like ... it could be sporting this new pinion thingy
  • 1 0
 Nice to see they won't hit the carbon market.....maybe Wal-Mart doesn't sell carbon bikes?...lol.
  • 1 0
 DVO makes everything look good! O. an feel wonderful! But i dont like this hype
  • 3 1
 Love this thing. Paint is badass.
  • 2 0
 Paint looks like a Mexican lowrider
  • 4 2
 looks like a demo
  • 4 3
 It doesn't look like a session it is a session
  • 2 1
 Hyper = Trek Session + Commençal Dh V3
  • 1 1
 Friggin' awesome! Hyper, please give Scotty Cranmer one of these for a mad DH edit, he will kill it!
  • 1 0
 Bas edition paint scheme coming soon?
  • 2 0
 Willy Wonka's DH bike.
  • 1 0
 Fox x2 to spring marzocchi
  • 1 0
 Can't wait to session one
  • 4 3
 Yup - session
  • 1 1
 the paintjob looks like pizza
  • 3 2
 Best paint EVER.
  • 1 1
 Lol, actually does look like a session
  • 1 0
 Don't believe the Hype!
  • 1 1
 That paint job is so sick!!
  • 1 0
 Gollums ugly sister
  • 1 1
 What a pointless mingin pile of shit.
  • 2 3
 single pivot?
go drunk pinkbike you´re home!
  • 3 1
 Reading the sentence after the one you are incensed about? Nah, straight to the comments.

"The 650B DH's suspension appears to be a simple yet extremely solid looking single-pivot design that employs a large rocker arm to compress the Fox shock, but taking a look from the non-drive side of the bike reveals a compact linkage hidden just above the bottom bracket shell"
  • 4 6
 You need to calm down with your paint Hyper.
  • 1 2
 Nah.... It looked dope as hell in person.
  • 2 4
 Norco maybe?
  • 1 4
 That paintjob... Noooooo! Kill it before it lays eggs!!!
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