Bike Check: Tool's Machined Enduro Bike

Aug 29, 2023 at 9:22
by Dario DiGiulio  
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Hailing from Quebec, near the legendary hills of Mont Sainte Anne, Tool bikes fall into the rare yet growing subset of frames made completely by CNC mill processes. Cut from a slab of aluminum in two halves, then bonded together, the frames can be tweaked in just about any way the creator pleases, allowing for rapid prototyping and rolling changes. We covered the earliest Tool prototype a while back, but things have certainly progressed since then, resulting in what you see here.
Tool's William Boisvert was rallied to the MADE show by We Are One's Dustin Adams, making him a member of the small but strong Canadian contingent on the floor of the warehouse space. The Canadians all brought some heat, with a fleet of very impressive full-suspensions in the group, but Tool's milled aluminum creation certainly turned many heads.

Tool V5 Details

• 29" front and rear
• Mullet option via link
• 150mm frame travel, 160mm fork
• 62° head angle (at sag)
• 500mm reach
• 454mm chainstays at sag, 1/2" growth through travel
• 78.5° seat tube angle
• 30mm BB drop
• Weight: 36-37 lbs
• Tool's Instagram

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The machined halves are bonded together, with cylindrical inserts at the headtube, bottom bracket, and seat tube to assure that nothing will peel apart under heavy stress. This intuitive approach has proven robust under use, and also assures that tolerances are all to spec during the assembly process.

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Will said the Tool bike is essentially a Balfa BB7 for the modern ages, with its simple linkage-driven high single pivot designed specifically for the use of a coil shock. He's been riding and tweaking the design for the past three years, with the bike you see here standing as the fifth iteration in the series. There are a few changes left to attend to, but overall the fit and finish feels like a sorted bike.

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Hidden away in the guts of the frame are the links that drive the shock, which can be swapped to convert the bike from full-29 to mixed-wheel setups. While there isn't yet word on availability for mass-market, you can keep up to date with the project on Tool's Instagram.

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More photos of the Tool can be found here.



Author Info:
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Member since Dec 25, 2016
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130 Comments
  • 368 3
 The Forbidden Pole. Gorgeous.
  • 287 5
 That’s actually what I call my….never mind.
  • 85 6
 Tool should name their bike, the Stinkfist.
  • 34 5
 @Noahgg: i don't know who downvoted you, but they need to seek counseling for their lack of humor.
  • 22 0
 Forbidden Pole Actofive
  • 10 0
 @PHX77: shoulder deep within the borderline
  • 10 1
 @metareal: This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to. Relax, turn around, and take my hand.
  • 11 0
 Forbidden Pole sounds like a strip club in LA.
  • 4 1
 @novajustin: i don't know who downvoted you, but they need to seek counseling for their lack of humor.
  • 1 0
 Don't be a Tool
  • 98 1
 The wait time is 10,000 days
  • 31 3
 It's a long bike but still nimble enough for Lateralus movements...
  • 48 1
 I know the pieces fit.
  • 26 0
 I hope the frame doesn't split right in two
  • 12 2
 Silence the 'Culling Voices' and feel 'Invincible' as you are 'Descending' the 'Parabola', and if it sucks at climbing, just 'Pushit'.
  • 21 1
 I'd take 46 and 2, even if sober
  • 10 1
 @OliOliOli:
Not enough, I need more, nothing seems to satisfy
I said I just want it, I just need it,
to breathe,
to feel,
to know I'm alive.
- any mountain biker, probably
  • 5 0
 We need some POV footage so I can ride Vicariously
  • 1 0
 But it's my new Opiate, so it's worth it.
  • 1 0
 @Mugen:
I like to watch things die....from a good safe distance.....
  • 42 0
 Hot dawg, the sexiest Forbidden ever!

Didn't we decide that the seam in machined halves shouldn't be at the front of the headtube though? I seem to recall a fork yeeting itself out of a similar setup.
  • 15 1
 Head Tube of death.
  • 12 0
 Ah yes, the Pole Stamina: www.mtbr.com/threads/catastrophic-failure-pole-stamina-180mm.1136557
  • 11 4
 This is a bike you put on display, unfortunately. You’re basically paying for pretty lines from machining, not a superior process for strength.
  • 8 0
 lol "we". the PB comments collective is alive. they are learning!
  • 3 0
 At first glance, the 4th photo looks like the HT is wrapped in duct tape.
  • 1 0
 Pole doesn't have a tube in the head tube...
  • 2 0
 The tube insert is pretty good insurance against that assuming they also bonded the tube to the frame. I remember a video not too many years ago that showed splitting the headtube and ejecting the fork also happens on carbon frames if you case them enough.
  • 26 0
 You can tell its a bike because of the way it is
  • 4 0
 *Will Buxton approaches*

My sincere apologies if the reference does not resonate.
  • 1 0
 @pathopkins: NEEDS MOAR STARS
  • 16 0
 Price: if you have to ask you can't afford it.
  • 13 0
 The question is how many ZJ's you'd have to give to purchase one of these?
  • 9 1
 Frame only: Forty six and two hundred dollars
  • 11 0
 Do they know that the pieces fit because they watched them fall away?
  • 10 0
 please CNC a stick to hold the bike for the photo next time
  • 1 0
 There is a stick..?
  • 8 0
 Is there anything Maynard James Keenan CAN'T do?
  • 8 0
 Good stuff Maynard.
  • 8 4
 Not every Tool is a Pole-but every Pole is a Tool But seriously, this is what a high-end custom bike in this weight bracket should look like! Take notes Chromag!!
  • 3 2
 You have some sort of issue with Chromag bikes?
  • 5 5
 I'd take the chromag any day of the week.
  • 4 3
 @onawalk: Read the other review that dropped today. 120 rear big bike-kinda pointless
  • 2 1
 @onawalk: if the other article is correct then they are heavy, over priced and don’t perform
  • 4 4
 @wyorider: Maybe for you, but it looks like a winner for me, similar to an Optic, or Spectral 125. Its a niche bike for sure, but its a real weapon for some people.

I love my aggressive geo, short travel bike. Carries speed well, thanks to the geo, but not so much travel to make blue trails boring.
I do a lot of coaching, and riding with people below what I would normally ride by myself, these types of bikes are great.

funny how we think that if something doesnt appeal to us, then its pointless, we arent the centre of the universe.
  • 1 0
 @wyorider: I've got a 35lbs hardtail with a big ol' fork on it. Chromag just seems like that, but with a little bit of forgiveness. Big fan.
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: Optic and Spectral have shorter forks, so you won't put the front end into a line that'll sting you on the back end.

I get burly party bikes, but the Cromag pushes that paradigm too far......and I coach as well but ride a Ripmo-when I'm on the clock it's not about my riding, it's about clients having fun and progressing (for whatever that's worth).
  • 1 0
 @spaceofades: I'd say the slack hardtail kind of makes sense. If you're hitting features that use up 160mm up front, it's a nasty jolt when you clang off a bottom out bumper out back.
  • 2 0
 @wyorider: okay, but if a 160mm hardtail makes sense how does a 160mm hardtail with 120mm of backup rear suspension not make sense? Let me tell ya, it's a far nastier jolt with no suspension than with a little
  • 1 0
 @chrismac70: Thats really reading between the lines there.
Heavy, sure, but its a steel bike, so was the expectation that is was somehow magic?
im not sure I see the over priced
and how do you mean it doesnt perform, its a niche built steel full sus bike, meant to be essentially a hardtail with some "give" its not meant to be the same bike that Trek or Spesh makes
  • 1 0
 @wyorider: Maybe it pushes it too far for you....but not for those that love it.
Just because it doesnt fit your sensibilities, doesnt mean its not just the right thing for someone else.
Looks like a great bike to me, basically a hardtail, with a little give.

I dont even want to start about the extra 10mm of fork travel, jeez
  • 1 0
 @spaceofades: Oh man,
I had a .243 hardtail, 24" rear, 170mm Marzo 66 fork, Profile cranks, Atomlab trail pimp wheels, bike was a weapon.

I rode that everywhere, off stupid stuff, up hills, down steep chutes, off the back of buses, never flinched a mm.

I love a burly hardtail, and this Darco just speaks to me
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: I sure do. I check daily and zero (less than 1) have appeared in my garage, despite wishing upon star. Take note Chromag.
  • 5 1
 I can't be the only one who's thoroughly bored of that roughed-in surface finish, surely?

Not everything has to be done with a ball nose end mill...
  • 3 1
 Massively more surface area for dust & dirt to cling to! But really, do they know that you can polish a CNC'd surface? Or use a different mill. That look used to be high tech back when CNC'ing stuff was magic, but now it's definitely boring and looks half-finished. I'm not even giving it my usual pass for "Nice art piece" when seeing some interesting but probably impractical prototype or one-off.
  • 2 0
 Imagine cleaning the bastard.
  • 4 0
 @DaveRobinson81: imagine the dirt in all the channels under ride wrap.
  • 3 0
 @CarbonShmarbon: pointless to wrap this frame
  • 2 0
 @PHILSOGOOD: agreed, but hat didn't stop Pole with their weirdo ebike.
m.pinkbike.com/news/review-poles-190mm-travel-voima-is-long-slack-and-high.html
  • 4 0
 .0001" scallop height and a scotchbright and it will be smooth as f*ck.
  • 7 3
 There doesn't seem to be any advantage to this construction technique except to be different
  • 5 1
 You can use better grade aluminium that cannot be welded
  • 3 3
 @kanioni: nah, just looks really. Better garde maybe, but surely loads of it. My v1 Process 153, made like a tank out of 6061 alloy and with crappy wheels and top of the line nothing
weighted 36.5 lbs...

But hey, it really is a gorgeous bike that stand out from the crowd and I'd 100% ride.

Toys don't need to make sense, after all.
  • 8 0
 @kanioni: You could, but according to Tool's instagram, it's 6061. 7075 billet is substantially more expensive than 6061 (and 6061 is way easier to source), so that makes sense for a prototype.
  • 6 4
 There are quite a few advantages, actually.

The manufacturer can use stronger alloys, which otherwise couldn't be used because they can't be welded. Also the production quality is going to be much, much higher than on a welded frame. That's because the machined frame comes off the CNC perfectly in spec every single time, which will make for a straight and perfectly aligned frame. Welded alloy frames on the other hand are almost never straight and are pretty much never in spec with their geometry. The production tolerances of the welding process are just too much. If you selectively and suddenly introduce lots of heat into the material (during welding) the frame will always warp. A CNC'd frame doesn't do that.
  • 1 0
 @Muscovir: Do you think this type of frame half would warp if welded at the seams instead of a bonding agent being used? I would certainly prefer this to be welded halves.
  • 2 0
 I think the most significant advantage for the small designer/builder is you can iterate the design frame after frame at negligible cost....just change your digital design. although the unit cost per frame is higher you don't need to make expensive molds or jogs to prototype. I fully expect larger companies to adopt this prior to settling on a design and comfiting to large scale production of, for example, carbon frames that need a volume produced to cover the $100k+ CNCed mold.

The fact that it produces a strong, accurate rideable frame is just gravy. Of course, its also an venue for boutique custom frame construction...at boutique prices.
  • 3 1
 @webbmaster: How does the CNC mold cost $100k, but the CNC'd frame doesn't?
  • 3 0
 but welded aluminum tubing is just so easy, convenient and cheap, and pretty damn good as well. Alignment and tolerances can be achieved with tubes, is just a matter of doing it right and QC instead of cutting corners.

As for proptotyping, why would they? Companies prototype in alloy tubing because all the reasons above. They can make a mule in an evening for $200. Final shapes are decided by industrial design and FEA before commmtting to molds.

Frames like this will always have a place cause historically mtbers are suckers for CNC.
  • 1 0
 @Muscovir: I guess the advantage over a lighter stronger carbon frame is that it could be recycled but I wonder how many frames are recycled
  • 1 0
 @motts: I dunno, I just read Pinkbike. My expertise lies in passing on third hand information without context or accuracy.

I think its related to the durbility...so it can be used hundreds of times without issue.

I standby for someone to educate the masses!
  • 2 0
 "Will said the Tool bike is essentially a Balfa BB7 for the modern ages" The Balfa BB7 doesn't have a linkage driving the shock - the shock is directly connected to the swing arm. Regardless, nice bike!
  • 1 0
 Cher William, elle est belle!

There are a number of us that didn't find the Norco Range or the Dreadnought to have enough "pop" to be fun enough for our own pleasure. If I were strictly racing, the Range or Dreadnought would be a fierce weapon, but having to pull up as hard as possible on every lip is exhausting and gets a bit dangerous. (even with rear compression damping to the point of a relatively crappy ride.) Of course the pros pull it off for their videos, but we are the guys paying for the bikes.

So, please, keep us in mind. Maybe an optional link or flip chip that gives it a "teenager" mode? Love to buy one of these sexy beasts when available, but not if we have to bust a nut to lift off.

Best wishes, and we hope these bikes bring you success!
  • 1 0
 What about the seat post height? Is the the post dropped some? But saddle doesn't loom that far below bars? If not, doesn't look like much travel from the post?

Gorgeous bike and love n that people are out there making stuff like this.
  • 1 0
 Edit: seat tube height
  • 4 0
 That dreadnaught looks sick
  • 3 1
 I should probably try one of these high pivot bikes one day. I kinda get the feeling they want to stay planted though...are they poppy/playful at all?
  • 1 0
 "essentially a Balfa BB7 for the modern ages, with its simple linkage-driven high single pivot"

Except the BB7 was not linkage driven, it was direct to the shock. And the idler moved in a very different way.
  • 1 1
 Strong resemblance of an Actofive P-Train. General frame layout and geometry are very similar and even the manufacturing methodology is the same. Nevertheless, really cool bike. Would be cool to see more alloy frame manufacturers move to CNC cut and bonded frames
  • 2 0
 Looks like you have to run wireless shifting and dropper, OK with me but others might not like it.
  • 5 1
 No cable tourism though-and at this price point, I'd be running Transmission!!
  • 1 1
 @wyorider: What price point, where is the price listed?
  • 3 1
 @onawalk: Pretty sure this an "if you have to ask" kind of thing......
  • 4 1
 @wyorider: Maybe, but youre alluding to the price point, without knowing what that price point is.
  • 3 0
 Forbidden called, they want their pole and stamina back Wink
  • 5 2
 "454mm chainstays at sag, 1/2" growth through travel" . I'm sorry, what?
  • 2 0
 chainstays get longer as the bike sags....................................
  • 1 1
 @naptime: I think there is more surprise at the fun mix of measurements. but thanks for the jump to explaining the obvious.
  • 2 0
 @Spencermon: well, dude did seem like he was having problems understand the basics
  • 1 1
 @naptime: Maybe its @dariodigiulio that doesn't understand the basics of not mixing forms of measurement? @mattg95 seems to just be pointing out the poor/lazy article writing/editing?
  • 2 0
 @Spencermon: you mean like, 30mm 27.5" wheels that are actually 27.1 but rounded up to 27.5 because marketing... A 15" frame with a 495mm reach.... Etc etc
The bike induuuhhstry has been like this since.... For EVER
  • 1 0
 @naptime: at least there is some historical precedent in those. This is just plain lazy. the chain stays are 454mm long at sag. they get 1/2 inch longer through the travel. Thats completely asinine. That would be like saying the size large has a 495 reach and the xl is 1 inch longer. Its ridiculous and I can't for the life of me understand why you are so caught up in trying to prove a point. (I'm not even sure what you're trying to prove at this point)
  • 1 0
 @Spencermon:
A if you say so
B what the heck do you think I'm trying to 'prove'???
  • 1 1
 @naptime: I don't know. we keep responding to each other. Your initial comment made it seem like you thought that Matt didn't understand the concept of chainstay growth. I just pointed out that he was likely more calling out the misuse of measurement systems. They you came to the defense of mixing measurement systems. (which I know the bike industry sucks at) and then I pointed out that many of these measurements have some historical reason for existing (however contrived) and that defining chainstay length and chainstay length growth by two different measurement systems in the same sentence is poor/lazy writing and is not the same. I just want you to admit that you are insufferable. like is that too much to ask?
  • 2 0
 @Spencermon: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  • 1 0
 @naptime: lol
  • 3 0
 Take a good, looong lock, Pole!
  • 2 0
 show us that linkage action ! (maybe even an exploded view ?)
  • 2 0
 How hard is it to get the front end up/manual on that bike?
  • 1 0
 Easily the best looking bike ever. Soooo sweet. But yeah the Druid-Vikkela! Crazy resemblance.
  • 1 0
 Saw them live once, it was amazing, but I didn't know they make frames as well. Will I ascend into another realm with this?
  • 1 0
 Hopefully
  • 2 0
 Basically an Actofive P-Train Clone
  • 1 0
 When I first read the title I thought it was the band’s bike. Either way sweet looking bike!
  • 1 0
 I really can't decide if I like it or not, it's totally thrown me. I'm questioning everything now.
  • 1 0
 While the world burns, I like and want the weird things. At this point who cares if it might be bad or slow.
  • 1 0
 That's sexy!!! Would buy it if it had really shorter chainstay and 64 HA.... but well done, such a beautiful bike!!
  • 1 0
 That frame looks a lot like a Forbidden Druid V1 with a reshaped seat tube.
  • 1 0
 Take away the gold parts and we have a winner! what a bike!!
  • 3 4
 wow this bike is so good looking yet these rockshox electronic dropper post are the most ugly bike parts of all times. it even ruins the looks of this gorgeous masterpiece
  • 2 0
 So true, don't know why people are downvoting you.... So ugly! lol Next year, Bike Yoke will have a nice one if people want a wireless dropper post.
  • 2 0
 Looks Like A Druid (V1)
  • 1 0
 This is actually sick Love the frame
  • 1 0
 That's a CNC'ed bike that I would buy!
  • 3 1
 29 is DEAD
  • 1 0
 Because you lie, cheat, and steal!…

Oh wait never mind.
  • 1 0
 Looks sweet for sure
  • 1 0
 Beautiful
  • 2 1
 Nice junkyard.
  • 1 0
 this bike is too sexy
  • 1 0
 Speed and Power
  • 1 0
 Just Beauty!!!!!
  • 2 3
 To ascend you must die You must be crucified For sins and our lies Good-bye
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Dreadnought
  • 1 1
 A pedal swap 2-clipnz would make this a SuperRip’r ~
  • 1 0
 T’inspire l’action
  • 1 0
 Pretty damn cool.
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