Knolly Launches Updated Fugitive Trail Bike
PRESS RELEASE: Knolly Bikes
THE NEW & IMPROVED FUGITIVE
The first Fugitive was released in 2018, setting the tone for the next generation of Knolly frame architecture. In 2021, we addressed rider feedback and made small geo and travel updates. And today, our most popular 29er Knolly trail bike debuts with a completely new tubeset, straight top tube design, and refreshed geo. The new Fugitive is also equipped with Enduro bearings on all pivot locations as the final finishing touch and each frame size gets specific chainstays lengths and seat tube angles.
Pacific Northwest riders asked us for a versatile mid-travel chassis that could handle flow trail and alpine singletrack, and riders along the Great Divide wanted something more than a trail bike but less than an enduro bike. The updated Fugitive was redesigned to cater to these rider demands and features a comfortable cockpit that delivers efficient pedaling and outstanding climbing performance.
“Downcountry,” “Up-duro," “All-Mountain,” or whatever you call this category, the Fugitive is the most versatile model in the Knolly line-up with 125 or 140mm rear travel options. It features an improved Patented Fourby4 suspension platform which separates shock progression from pedaling dynamics.
This updated Fugitive has a small bump in travel for more fun, a reduced seat tube height for amazing stand over clearance and plenty of post-insertion depth. In typical Knolly fashion, the frame is manufactured from high end aluminum, and it’s available in two suspension travel options for ultimate performance during post-work backyard laps, weekend tech climbs, and mid-summer rocky descents.
FUGITIVE KEY HIGHLIGHTS
-Rear travel options: 125mm or 140mm
-Wheels: 29"
-Fork options: 140mm or 150mm (depending on build kit)
-Straight top tube - better standover and improved aesthetics
-Unified monoblock rocker link - working in collaboration with the lower swing link; increased rigidity and lessens lateral stresses on shock mount
-Enduro bearings in all pivots
-Flat tooling bearing locations - makes bearing service removal and installation easier
-Size specific chainstay length - creates a better balanced bike and better fit for tall and short riders
-SRAM UDH compatibility with a Knolly specific fully CNC'd aluminum hanger included
-Supports long dropper posts (200mm+ to the collar dependant on frame size and dropper manufacturer) for a wide range of inseam lengths
-Mounts for tools (under the top tube)
-Lower shock mount features 30mm axle and can work with roller bearing shock hardware
-Post mount direct 180mm rear brake mounts
-157Trail rear end spacing- brings improved rear end stability and chainline
UPDATED KINEMATICS: PEDALING & SUSPENSION DYNAMICS
The pedaling responsiveness has been increased by 15% compared to the previous generation.The Suspension Leverage Curve has been remapped. This has been done to increase sensitivity and bottom out resistance and to allow the shock to get into the mid stroke slightly easier. This ties in with the pedaling dynamics to ensure that the bike's traction remains unaffected but the bike is slightly better supported and more efficient under pedaling forces. There is a slight increase in rear wheel travel (a few % points but it's there).
GEOMETRY (LOTS OF CHANGES!)
Size specific chainstay lengths. Fugitive seat tube angles - while steeper than outgoing models, are still more relaxed at around 77 degrees vs. the "Enduro/FR" models which are around 78 degrees. The main difference here is that the Fugitive has a slightly more relaxed seat tube angle so that the bike is more comfortable when traversing terrain. The Fugitive is designed to go "up, across and down". About 3/4 of the bike features brand new parts. Examples include the front triangle and the seat tube is the only part carried over from the previous generation. The head tube, top tubes, down tubes, lower shock mounting cradle, BB shell and other front triangle formed and forged parts are all brand new. There is an improved aesthetic as well as improved performance.
SIZES: Small (S2), Medium (S3), Large (S4), X-Large (S5)
COLOURS: RAW, Anodized Bronze, Dad Jeans Blue, Chameleon Purple
MSRP PRICING
Fugitive 125: Float X Factory XT, $5699 USD/$7499 CAD
Fugitive 140: Float X2 Factory XT, $5799 USD/$7699CAD
Fugitive 140: Float X Factory GX, $5499 USD/$7199 CAD
Fugitive 140: Float X PS, PSE GX, $5299 USD/$6999 CAD
Fugitive 140: Marz Bomber Air Z1 Deore, $4599 USD/$5999 CAD
FUGITIVE GEOMETRY
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
BUILD KITS
EARLY BIRD DEAL
To celebrate this release, we’re offering a special 10% OFF discount to the first 50 customers who purchase the new Fugitive by April 30 - see knollybikes.com or a local Knolly dealer for more details.
Photos: Tandem Photography
Riders: Ken Fung & Alexa Smyth
Author Info:
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Fingers crossed that its dropping at Sea Otter.
https://worca2024knolly.rafflenexus.com/a/9
We have staff around 5'2" who can easily run 200mm droppers on size XS framesets. The beauty of our uninterrupted seat tubes
As any industry/shop person will tell you (including me) the best way to find a bike that works for you is first try and find one to test, if you cant then talk to the brand or talk to someone with the knowledge to help make since of geo charts, body dimensions, perferences etc.....
Also as a industry/shop person (entire adult life spent in shops, going on 15 years) I would highly recommend NOT using PB comments as your research....
We are more fortunate than ever for so many great bikes to choose from.
New bike looks great @KNOLLYBIKES
2) heel clearance
3) don’t understand what issue it addresses/doesn’t perceive it’s an issue.
Have some i35s that are on their 3rd bike.
Same. I'm 5'10 and ride a large 138. I was hoping the new sizing would have the medium (or S2 or whatever) would be around 475.
I was expecting a severe case of upgrade-itis this morning but seeing the geo, I'm good sticking with the kinky 138!
That being said, I've always felt the knolly geo looked weird on paper but ive never gotten the chance to demo one. I really want to try one but the sizing is so wonky on paper. Im 5'9 and my sweet spot for reach is 450-460 typically. A medium fug is 467 which is too big for me, but if I went to a small its 440mm reach and 1180 seems like a very short wheelbase for a mid travel trailbike for me. I heard someone say somewhere that knolly measures reach a little differently so the numbers you see on paper feel smaller in the real world but i dont remember the details of that claim.
at 6ft im no longer stuck between large & XL on many brands.
Bikes with long reaches + short head tubes are some of the most customizable bikes on he market (without adjustable headset cups, etc.).
Fun fact: I priced-out the complete bearing kit with Canadian Bearings through work and they were about $70CAD more than the $120CAD Knolly wants for the set. The 608's are nothing, but the dual-row angular contact main pivot bearings are where the difference is. Props to Knolly for that!
150mm travel 29" fork like Fox 36 or Rockshox Lyrik.
Paired with a short head tube and stack, you can easily adjust. Want it long and low, leave it as is. Want a higher stack and shorter effective reach, add spacers. Want more stack and all the reach, add a higher rise bar.
Bikes with long reaches + short head tubes are some of the most customizable bikes on the market (without adjustable headset cups, etc.).
Stack heights are right on market. Ie: medium is identical to Commy meta V5 stack height.
Just to add some information on our measurements :
ETT: top of head tube (at axis), horizontally to Effective seat tube angle: pretty straightforward. A couple of product generations ago, we did measure ETT slightly differently, but we have been doing it the "normal" way for several years now
@ulnar-landing:
At 5'9" you would fit into the sizing range of the new mediums. You'll see that the ETT on the new Fugitives is very similar to the outgoing model. The ESTA (Effective Seat Tube Angle) is very slightly steeper than the outgoing model, hence the small increase in reach.
The previous generation Fugitive received a mid life "Facelift" geometry update which was really well received.
The new MY2024 Fugitive has the most modest geometry updates of our all new range of bikes. The MY24 Fugitive gets a more subtle geometry update, along with the much improved aesthetics and the fully revised pedaling dynamics, which is where we feel we have delivered the largest improvement in this model over the outgoing model.
Please don't hesitate to contact us or any of our resellers if you have any questions on fit - we are always happy to help out!