T-Lab Enters the Mountain Bike Market with the Titanium Phenom Hardtail

Apr 1, 2020
by Rob Rossi  
2020 2021 Hardtail Check Out

Press Release:T-Lab

T-Lab, the progressive titanium manufacturer based in Montreal, is pleased to announce the market launch of the Phenom, its very first mountain bike model.

“We made our name with our X3 gravel bike, but our roots actually run quite deep on the MTB side,” said Rob Rossi, Co-Founder of T-Lab. “With the Phenom, we didn’t just want to put out a mountain bike. We wanted to set a new standard when it comes to a titanium hardtail.”

2020 2021 Hardtail Check Out

Based on a proprietary cold worked method that allows for a radically shaped titanium profile -- without compromising Ti’s inherent properties -- the Phenom pushes the limits with regards to stiffness-to-weight-to-durability. With a Medium-sized frame weighing in at 1800g, it compares favorably to high-end carbon hardtails on the performance side, while offering the superior toughness and corrosion-resistance of titanium.

photo

T-Lab’s commitment to forward-thinking design is exemplified by the Phenom’s unique Versa-T dropout, which was developed and is produced in-house. “The dropout was designed to be fully adaptable to your riding style,” said Félix Fontaine Larouche, Lead MTB Designer at T-Lab. “It allows for two BB drop settings, for 27.5” and 29” wheels, and a length adjustment from 411mm to 438mm.” The Phenom can also be set-up in single speed configuration.

2020 2021 Hardtail Check Out

Like all T-Lab bikes, the Phenom is completely made-to-order and personalized based on rider specifications. The company is able to turn around frame or complete bike orders in 4 to 6 weeks and offers a lifetime guarantee on its frames. A Phenom frameset retails for $3,500 USD, with complete bikes starting at an accessible $4,900 USD.

photo

The official launch of the Phenom was originally scheduled for NAHBS 2020, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis. T-Lab was also working on a light-hearted launch video, filmed on some snow-covered trails in Montreal, when the crisis hit. “We wanted to give a glimpse of where we’re coming from, along with the fun we have developing bikes,” said Rossi. “Obviously, we understand the context we’re all in right now and endorse the directive to ride safely in support of health care workers everywhere.”

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The T-Lab Phenom will be available for orders as of April 2, 2020 (via t-lab-bikes.com).
http://t-lab-bikes.com

Author Info:
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Member since Apr 1, 2020
2 articles

75 Comments
  • 121 1
 I feel bad for anyone putting out an legit press release or announcement today.
  • 5 6
 They should pay license fees to Morpheus bikes for using their dropout design.
  • 9 1
 @endurocat: Not at all... 1) Morpheus is closed 2) It's an inhouse design
  • 1 0
 @abrandredsox: I heard that Jerome from Balfa was in on that design!
  • 1 1
 @GunnyMcSmith: I have been in that building that happened to have Jerome doing his mad scientist thing... Wink
  • 12 1
 I actually thought it was for April fools when I read the price tag for a hard tail frame only.
  • 2 0
 But its Fake right?
  • 54 7
 No Way, a new ground breaking Ti hardtail. So tech, much engineer. And Bargain priced at $3,500 for the frame. I can't wait to drink IPA's that no one has heard of after riding this bike.
  • 5 1
 I can't for mine...it's a handmade ti frame for nice/namebrand carbon prices...whats not to like?
  • 2 0
 April Fools!
  • 5 0
 Good geo and gorgeous frame. It costs as much as a yeti full squish and it is over double a carbon Honzo which is the comparable that came to mind. Luxury goods have an interesting demand curve but it is not a handbag.
  • 1 3
 And don't forget to give your local a welder a heads up that you'll be calling him soon.
  • 1 1
 @smithcreek: that's only if it was a Litespeed
  • 1 0
 @skylanebike: where’s the good geo? Cos a 73 degree seat angle isn’t “good geo”
  • 1 0
 @CrispyNuggs: 73°/74° is the Actual ST angle and a result of the bend in the ST. You can see that the effective ST angle (which is what a lot of brands charts only show) is 75° in the low setting and 76° in the high.
  • 3 0
 X3 owner here...These guys were awesome to work with. Having a custom ride made a few hours drive from me was worth something to me. I'm sorry it's not worth as much to some other people, but life's great like that...choices. Comparing this to over seas carbon or this or that is totally missing the point. I love my bike and I hope you all love yours too, whatever that may be.
  • 25 0
 Am I the only who thinks that painting titanium should be considered a criminal offense?
  • 2 0
 Yes it should Smile
  • 3 0
 What about anodizing titanium? Anodizing seems very acceptable.
  • 22 0
 Releasing a $3500 hardtail frame at the start of a global depression/recession seems more ironic than foolish, but still made me laugh!
  • 21 0
 They're gunna sell 10's of these! Maybe even 11's!
  • 2 0
 DOZENS!
  • 9 0
 I'm one more for naked Ti finishes, but that shade of orange sure blends in nicely. All North American custom made Ti frames cost a lot of money, but when you see all the details in the picture you can understand why. They had a few of their bikes at this years Toronto Bike Show, and they really are beautiful. Thanks PB for supporting the small Indie builders.
  • 3 0
 I saw one there as well. Absolutely beautiful in person.
  • 10 0
 Is this a real story? The lines between fake and real news have been blurred today.
  • 1 1
 Real.
  • 8 0
 The true April fools must be the 3500 USD Frameset spec'd with FSA afterburner wheels lmfao
  • 6 0
 A Bike made in a lab?? That has a lifetime warranty?? Thank goodness, otherwise it would be tragic for any customers if they were Breaking Badly...............
  • 7 3
 I'm looking for a bike that looks like I bought it from Walmart but is also extremely expensive and maintains my love of 10-year old geometry.
  • 5 0
 You know it's an April fool joke when you see a pair of Maxxis Ardent on the bike! Wink
  • 3 0
 I saw this bike in person at the Toronto bike show a month ago and this bike looks 10x better in person. it is one of the best looking hardtails i have seen.
  • 5 0
 Where's the joke? I don't see a joke...
  • 1 1
 No joke.
  • 3 0
 The price tag.
  • 4 0
 Can anyone see anything in this photo except the saddle not being level? I can't look away.
  • 2 0
 Thank you; I can't see past it either. It's worth the time to set up a bike for a press release in a way that doesn't make sensitive parts of the viewer go numb.
  • 3 0
 Ok I have to say it...$5000 US is “accessible”. Mmm hmmmm

That said, if one is shipping Ti custom fit hardtail, $ is not a factor.

Beautiful frame
  • 4 0
 I saw that bike in person. It's absolutely beautiful. Nice guys, too.
  • 2 0
 Why would anyone buy this instead of a (much better) Kingdom Vendetta?!...with spare money for beer...!
Always feels wrong to see a Ti frame with paint, IMO.
  • 2 1
 Just curious about what makes the Kingdom "much better"? Also, they offer unpainted finishes.
  • 1 0
 @BuildFreaks: price, looks and most important, geometries!
  • 1 0
 @gbcarmona: Classic round tube Ti vs something a little different, I guess it all comes to preference. As for the geo, I would say they're fairly similar... this one maybe not be as slack but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
  • 2 0
 I’d have a Kingdom Vendetta as the ultimate Ti ht frame over this any day
  • 4 0
 I don't get it
  • 4 0
 * "I won't get it." /fixed Big Grin
  • 3 0
 The dropout looks like an April fools joke for sure!
  • 2 0
 Indeed. I know sliding dropouts are a must to make it 27/29 switchable,but...
I once had a Dean Ti softtail with little beefy breezer style dropouts,loved those sexy little details. This frame is just a frame imo, a very expensive one..
  • 1 0
 I had a chance to look at their lineup at the Toronto Bike Show and that dropout is a work of art!
  • 4 2
 In this day and age I don’t see any point in this frame.
  • 8 0
 It's for people that find their carbon frames not corrosion-resistant enough.
  • 5 2
 That's your opinion, as I see every reason for this frame (which is my opinion).
  • 3 0
 @abrandredsox: What would you do with it? If it was light I might understand but there seems to be alternatives that are equal and vastly cheaper or similarly priced yet offer vastly more performance.
  • 4 0
 @jclnv: You haven't ride any titanium bike I see
  • 1 2
 @AwsomeJud: Not for many years but at one time I used to race XC on the best hardtails available. They were lighter than steel and more compliant than the aluminum alternatives. However, the game has moved on, and you can buy a full suspension bike that weighs about the same as this frame yet would be vastly more capable, comfortable and higher performing. I get that there’s a maintenance aspect but if you have the funds to purchase a frame like this, you can afford the servicing.
  • 2 0
 Idk what to believe anymore. That looks nice if it's real though.
  • 1 2
 I can't fathom releasing a hardtail now and not making it 27.5+ or 29 compatible....unless it's designed specifically for racing...which I guess a super lightweight Ti hardtail is...so okay.
  • 3 0
 It's compatible with both
  • 2 1
 Read the release and you will see it runs both.
  • 1 0
 @abrandredsox: The release? Did I miss it? It says that it's 27.5 or 29 compatible. The chart uses 27.5x2.6 or 29x2.4 with never a mention of 27.5+. 2.6 is not +.
  • 1 0
 @Explodo: Those sizes are for the geo charts. For info the frame can actually fit 27.5" x 2.8" or 29" x 2.6" (or more depending on brand, dropout settings, rim width, etc...)
  • 2 0
 We'll just put a happy little frame out there. -Bob Rossi
  • 2 3
 North American companies aren't allowed to do real product releases today. Save that for the Asian and European countries who don't do April fools.
  • 3 0
 ahem?
  • 1 0
 Where is it made? Canada or China?
  • 1 0
 All made in Canada (Montreal to be exact)
  • 2 0
 That's a piece of art.
  • 2 2
 No April fools joke here. Real bike...and real rowdy.
  • 1 0
 What's the glitch?
  • 1 1
 There isn't one.
  • 1 0
 Nobody!!
  • 1 0
 Good fishing in Quebec
  • 1 0
 26" version...?
  • 1 1
 Doomed
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