The Eyecatchers: 7 Intriguing New Bikes - Opinion

Jan 8, 2018 at 14:03
by Mike Kazimer  
Spinning Circles Mike Kazimer


List-making experiences a dramatic increase in popularity in the months of December and January. Best-of lists, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa wishlists, lists of New Year's resolutions, lists of groceries – around the world, everyone seems to be writing down a bunch of items in an orderly fashion. Not wanting to miss out on all of the fun, I've compiled a list of my own, a list of the bikes that I'm excited about riding, or at least seeing in person this year. As always, there will be plenty more interesting bikes announced this season, but at the moment these are the ones that have made me take a second glance.

You'll notice that the majority of these bikes are being manufactured by smaller companies, or even by one single person. That wasn't really a conscious decision on my part, but I have always been a fan off the scrappy upstarts, the garage operations that decide to take matters into their own hands. So, without further ado, here's are the seven bikes that have grabbed my attention recently:


Gnarpoon

Sick Bicycles Gnarpoon

I've never met Jordan Childs and Tim Allen, the duo behind Sick Bicycles, but the way the brand is presenting itself reminds me of the original Spooky Cycles, a small outfit out of NYC in the late 90s that did things their own way, for better or worse. (I still kick myself for selling my Spooky Junebug – pistachio green, with a red Marzocchi Z2 and an extra-high BB for that proper East Coast geometry).

The guys at Sick seem to have adopted some of that same punk rock attitude, making bikes that they want to ride, rather than pushing out another four-bar lookalike. They've unveiled a few unconventional-looking designs, but it's the Gnarpoon that really caught my eye. Handmade in the UK with a steel front triangle and an aluminum swingarm, this behemoth will reportedly be available in a 27.5+ version with 150mm of travel, and 29”-wheeled version with 180mm of travel and a 62-degree head angle. Big-wheeled freeriding? Count me in.




Images for SUPREME DH 29 with Amaury Pierron

Commencal Supreme DH 29

Yes, the Supreme DH 29 may be getting more than its fair share of press lately, but just look at that thing. I was a fan of the 27.5” Supreme DH's super-quiet and smooth handling when I reviewed it in 2016, but I wanted a little more length in the cockpit. It looks like that request has been answered, and with 29” wheels to boot. Naysayers often try to pigeonhole 29” wheels as taking away the 'fun', but I don't buy that for a second - those big wheels combined with a high pivot suspension design have the potential to be an absolute riot out on the track, especially in the rough stuff.



Pole Machine rendering


Pole Machine

Pole gained a little extra internet notoriety after their rant against carbon, but the new Machine isn't built out of organically grown, locally sourced bamboo – it's CNC'd from a two solid chunks of aluminum. Environmental touchy feely stuff aside, it's another entry into the 'smash through all the things' category, with the long reach that Pole are known for, 29" wheels, and 160mm of rear travel. What good is all that length? Other than the oft-touted stability benefits, those sprawling dimensions create room for carrying not one, not two, but three water bottles.



Eurobike 2016


Antidote Darkmatter

Whistler's chairlifts might currently be in use for transporting skiers, but it's never to early to start dreaming about some summertime DH laps. And what better way to stand out from all the Sessions and Demos than by rolling up on this carbon beauty? The made-in-Poland Darkmatter has 200mm of travel a high-pivot suspension design, and a price tag that'll make your eyes water (it's 4950 Euro for the frame alone, and that's without a shock). Does its performance match the price? I don't know, but I'd sure love to find out.



Fugitive


Knolly Fugitive

Knolly is on ever-shrinking list of companies without a 29er in their lineup, but that looks like it's going to change when the Fugitive arrives. With 120 millimeters of rear travel, 140mm up front and a relatively slack head angle, it falls into that all-round party-bike category – there's just enough travel to keep things interesting, especially in the techy bits. The Fugitive is expected to debut sometime in the spring, and according to Knolly, they have other 29ers in the works. Better late than never, as the saying goes.





Lost Bikes


Lost Bikes Lemonade

Based out of Bellingham, Washington, Lost Bikes are small company that are entering the mountain bike world with their HardTrail 29, a chromoly hardtail, although the Lemonade is the model that's piqued my curiosity. It's still in the pre-production stage, but the official launch is planned for this spring. The aluminum machine has 140mm of rear travel, 27.5” or 29” wheels, and the de rigueur long, low and slack geometry.



Starling Beady Little Eye
Starling


Starling Beady Little Eye

Tired of all the 29ers on this list? Me neither, but for those that are, how about this Starling Beady Little Eye? It's not exactly brand spanking new - early photos surfaced towards the end of 2016, but I learned of its existence fairly recently.

I like the prototype's rusty, rat rod finish, and with the single speed drivetrain it's a prime candidate for being ridden hard and put away wet. Is it practical? Not really, but this isn't a list of practical bikes. This is a list of bikes that make palms sweat and hearts pound a little faster, bikes that inspire a second, third, and fourth glance. Just looking at this 90mm steel ripper makes me want to go out and carve in a muddy grass slalom track somewhere and make left (and right) turns all day long.

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231 Comments
  • 179 11
 That's funny. My ex girlfriend's nickname was "Pole Machine".
  • 99 2
 My ex was gnar-poon.
  • 20 20
 She's an ex cuz she met a Pole driver?
  • 58 0
 Can’t believe i’m Saying this but I would like to sit on that Pole
  • 68 0
 @Monstertruckermotherfuker: That's exactly what she used to say. To everyone. Which was the problem.
  • 11 0
 @dstroud70: Lost it on this one.
  • 23 5
 But did she look like a Session?
  • 41 1
 @bx-bmrz: she liked a session
  • 11 1
 Never have i laughed so hard at a comment on pinkibike
  • 9 0
 @raytheotter: She sounds kinda fun, do you still have her number by any chance?
  • 11 1
 @Konyp. +26 2752 920650
  • 1 3
 @raytheotter: that sounds like a -you- problem, not hers.
  • 3 1
 @POWsLAYER: you know this was a joke right?
  • 6 0
 @Dropthedebt: Turns out there are some really cool dudes on Réunion. Best chat in years.
  • 1 0
 @Michael2Barnes: you should check out the puns in the comments section in the article about the release of the first pole... if this made you lol, those will kill you!!!
  • 2 1
 @TheLongMan: ARBR kills it all...
  • 2 1
 Next time don’t pick up your girlfriend in Thailand
  • 87 5
 That Starling is intriguing.
  • 26 8
 Agreed. Not enough people making play bikes anymore.
  • 29 52
flag WAKIdesigns (Jan 11, 2018 at 11:20) (Below Threshold)
 @seraph: play - you do it
  • 3 2
 inquired. que is long. understandable for a framebuilder. if only cash and time weren't an issue...
  • 3 1
 When I first saw it, I thought who would dare leave there bike outside!
  • 3 0
 @fullbug: Yeah, if you were a few months earlier it was in the prototype stage for about 1000GBP or so. Now you pay what it's worth. If you want something like that for cheaper, get a DMR Bolt (long). Yes there are many reasons to pay more for the Starling but it shouldn't stop you from shutting up and go out riding. Actually if you don't know what to do with those 26" wheels, qr hubs, IS brake calipers, 27.2mm seatpost etc you have kicking about, this is what.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: it caught my eye early last year when lookin at the swoop and murmur frames. funny you mention leftover 26 parts...it's why i keep a berrecloth era sx in ss mode. it is bombproof fun trouble.
  • 1 0
 It's Beady Little Eye btw Mike!
  • 2 0
 The Beady little eye looks a lot like the first frame my buddy Sage built in his garage. SlopeStyle angles, but DH tough.
  • 16 19
 Steve Jones tested the Starling within weeks after riding the Unno and liked it more.
  • 7 0
 @WAKIdesigns: not a surprise. mcewan seems to be a wizard.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: But did he test this particular model? I do know he loves the Murmur and probably the swoop too. But people traditionally go a bit funny when they see a single pivot bike with a rear end that pivots around the bb and start discussing stuff like anti-squat, brake jack and rearwards axle paths. I haven't studied that kind of stuff so I have no opinion. I just think this bike looks fun to ride. Just because the top tube looks reasonably low and mud clearance seems fine. I'm shallow like that.
  • 3 0
 It's a great time for bike consumers. Small or large companies...options galore.
  • 6 0
 @vinay: The suspension on the Beady Little Eye isn't the best, you have to run it firm to stop bob. But imagine a hardtail that has some cush. It'll never win a race, but it's the most fun bike I have. I've got a few orders for some 29ers BLE's. Be good to see how they go...
  • 2 0
 @phutphutend: lucky bastard you!
  • 3 0
 Hell yeah Lost Bikes!!!!!
  • 4 0
 When you sit on it, do you think the chain will stop sawing through the stay?
  • 7 1
 How many lost/found/stolen bike websites do you have to go through before stumbling upon the Lost Bikes website on Google..?
  • 2 1
 @excavator666: I've got a Stolen bmx. Used to be the bmx brand from Anthony Revell (from Revell bikes). At least until late 2005 he used to be behind it though nowadays I see no more reference from Stolen to Revell so maybe they changed owner.

So, is there also a bike brand called Found?
  • 1 1
 @vinay: The image of their bike piqued my interest and I wanted to find out more about the company.

See how long it takes you to find their website by Googling "Lost Bikes" etc.
  • 1 1
 @excavator666: Not sure about Google. On duckduckgo.com, "stolen bikes" gives the correct website second from the top and the same goes for "lost bikes".
  • 2 2
 @vinay: Eehhh, yes actually I scrolled down a bit and lost-bikes.com are indeed there. I completely missed that earlier...

I deserve a good downvoting for that.
  • 6 0
 @excavator666: That's interesting. Just tried google and it happened to be the first result. Though I suppose the order they show is dependent on where you've been, what you had for breakfast and what you look like according to the webcam. Or more correctly, they may have found out that people visiting Pinkbike have suddenly become more interested in the Lost Bikes website so that they cranked them higher up the result list than the previous time you looked.
  • 1 0
 @excavator666: it's pretty funny actually. A lot. I don't think they meant to do this but, bike theft is huge in bellingham and it's kinda funny that their name is Lost Bikes. Fitting for the city that they hail from.
  • 1 0
 @phutphutend: funny you mention it “rides like a hardtail, but has some cush” as I’ve been working on a similar idea with a frame builder buddy. Had considered an eccentric, but was leaning towards something kinda like your standard single pivot bikes.

My questions for you are these: why did you decide on the EBB vs a shorter travel version of your standard design? Was it just because you wanted to go singlespeed or is there more to it? Also what did you use for a bushing/bearing down there?

Thanks in advance. Really think that’s a great looking bike and wish I was closer to try it. Makes a ton of sense for me. I love riding hardtails in this era of wide bars, droppers, big tires, and 140mm forks that are primo. But something to take the edge off from time to time would be nice.
  • 1 0
 @seraph: plus 1 on that! Not all of us are xc race geeks or hit the local enduro race series much less have terrain that even demands 140mm of travel as a must, much less any rear suspension. I run a Sonder Transmitter b+ frame with 26+ rear and 27.5 + front. 120mm travel fork on much of the trails I have time to ride on the Front Range. On many trails I beat or equaled the strava segements I got PR’s on with full suspension bikes and in far better shape.

The Starking rig, and similar minded bikes, do up the playful riding factor for those of us who love hardtails and ride less than 2-3 hours on average on terrain that doesn’t require a full squish either but has spots you wanna launch off of or corners you’d like to hit a little faster that are rough.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: This is pinkbike, mane; no one needs to have studied something to have an opinion to spout off.
  • 2 0
 @CRAFTY-P: if you think this is not happening on every single forum and comment board online regardless of the topic then you seem to be the problem you are annouyed with
  • 1 0
 @juansevo: The bike is built specifically to be a singlespeed. I've ridden singlespeed hardtails on my local trails for ears. There's no big hills, lots of mud, lots of tight twisty trails, singlespeed is perfect. A singlespeed full-sus is just that little bit more forgiving that a hardtail...

It's not an eccentric bottom bracket, but concentric. Both the bottom bracket and swingarm bearings run on the same BMX 19mm axle. It's an elegant soplution where others just put massive heavy bearings around a normal bottom bracket.

If I wanted to run gears, I would just make a shorter travel version of my other Murmur and Swoop frames. These have better suspension performance, but can't be run singlespeed without tensioners.
  • 1 0
 @seraph: I'd buy more play bikes if I could pay for them with play money...
  • 1 0
 @phutphutend: thanks! Much appreciated. Yeah meant to say concentric but brain has ebb on it lately. Thanks for your rely.
  • 49 0
 Gnarpoon.....best bike name of the year
  • 19 1
 to me Gnarpoon sounds like a sketchy prostitute...
  • 31 10
 Waiting for Gnar-Cotic, RadGnar Ladbrok, Gnarnia, Gnarrator and Gnarrow with 135 rear end spacing.
  • 23 2
 @preach: That prostitute has gnararhea
  • 5 4
 @preach: You love it long time...
  • 25 0
 @preach: as opposed to the prostitutes who inspire confidence and make you feel like you're making a good decision?
  • 11 0
 @preach: better use some frame...."protection" then.......
  • 2 0
 "G" and "K" makes names sound medieval.
  • 42 2
 That Commencal is hawt
  • 4 12
flag BoneDog (Jan 11, 2018 at 11:28) (Below Threshold)
 You actually dig the quasi moto downtube? I think its almost there, but not really,
  • 11 1
 @BoneDog: Not sure how you are seeing the Hunchback of Notre-Dame, but to each his own.
  • 34 2
 uhhhhh steel 29er with 180mm travel and 62 head angle?
yeah.....TAKE MY MONIES
  • 20 2
 You will be mine Fugitive, oh yes you will be mine.
  • 5 0
 The Fugitive and Canfield's next carbon creation occupy the top two spots on my "next bike" wish list. And yet, neither have been seen or released...
  • 2 2
 @MTBrent: Don't hold your breath waiting for that Canfield.
  • 2 0
 @MTBrent: I already had it on good authority that the Knolly was coming, so this makes me happy. On that note, anybody want a good deal on a really badass Knolly warden, hit me up!
  • 1 0
 @Satanslittlehelper: That bike looks dope. Well done Noel, can't wait to see the specs. and swing my leg over one!
  • 4 0
 My next bike purchase is chalked up for 2020... I wonder what will have happened by then. Everyone riding single pivot steel 26ers with a 128 back end? Extra heel clearance and lower Q factor. Spoke bracing angle less important because of the engineered flex in the rear end. Gearbox and 2.45" tyres (the absolute sweet spot according to Giant's scientific research... but schwalbe differs and the think 2.55" offers slightly lower rolling resistance on 70% of dry terrain).
  • 16 0
 The Lost looks awesome!
  • 2 5
 I agree. Looked the most awesome out of these till I looked at their website and they use super boost spacing. Makes wheel options pretty limited
  • 6 0
 Funny. I saw that bike and thought it looked damn good. Then I looked up and my Evil Following is in the stand in front of me... I'm pretty sure their design strategy was: make a following out of metal and replace the Delta link (with I can't quite tell what by the photo).
  • 3 0
 @sspiff: It does look good! And the thing about the evil following, you are not the only one who thinks it looks the same. When they had this bike out at one of the races I got to ride it and and evil following back to back (in the parking lot). Both are rad bikes. This frame/suspension design is a smaller and updated version of the steel DH prototype frames that we rode all last year. The bike rides like a dream and I bet the trail bike will follow suit. I can't wait to get mine. If you want to order a frame, message @Lostbikes on Instagram. They will get you set up!
  • 14 1
 Darkmatter is flat out sexy AF! Needs a 40 and Saint brakes and it's on point.
  • 10 3
 How about Hope V4 brakes ?
  • 4 1
 @RedBurn: prolly better than Guides. I've never ran them so can't comment. I do love my Zee's so I know the Saints would be dope.
  • 6 0
 Hope V4’s all day, and that dark matter is the dope as f&$k ???? @RedBurn:
  • 8 3
 Our little town of Bellingham is already home to two rather large-ish established brands (Kona - even if their HQ is in nearby Ferndale, and Transition) and one smaller niche-brand (Canfield Brothers). I'm stoked to hear that now there's Lost Bikes as well, welding together frames within spitting distance of one of our many local breweries. Add that to all the other breweries, bike shops, combine it with the amazing playground of kickass trails, the Bay, rivers and mountains, sprinkle in all the radness of outdoorsy adventurous folks of all sorts of different pursuits, and I sometimes pinch myself to make sure it's all real.
  • 5 2
 sshhhh...keep it on the down low man.
  • 2 1
 How do I report this comment for moderator deletion?
  • 2 0
 For anyone considering moving here, be prepared for a housing shortage and a stagnant job market. Everything g-42 said is true, but there is a dark side too. Our housing prices are increasing by double digit percentages because of spillover from the Seattle boom, but the local job market hasn't followed suit. It is a great place to be an outdoor enthusiast, but make sure you plan ahead and are ready to hustle or you'll be in for a bad time.
  • 2 0
 @CaptainBLT: No doubt. One reason I'm not too worried about people coming in to flood our little paradise is that the minute they start looking around for a place to rent or buy, the sticker shock is bound to be pretty severe.
  • 1 0
 @g-42: or start to notice how much it rains
  • 2 0
 @preston67: No rain, no rainbows. Or temperate rainforests...
  • 7 0
 Lost Bikes is the worst name for a bike company I've ever heard. I tried googling it... guess what I found. Bikes people lost.
  • 3 0
 Last Bikes (german brand) was taken,so...
  • 1 0
 Add a hyphen: www.lost-bikes.com is their website
  • 4 0
 The Sterling and particularly the Pole both have very upright and erect seating angles to get riders in the right riding position. Combining the long top tube and a great seating location (for taller riders in particular) is a definite draw that's not quite being met by some of the more known bike companies.

The Transition Sentinel is sort of halfway there. Would be interested to see a test between bikes like it and very progressive bikes like the Pole, etc. with an emphasis on both riding prowess, but also in regards to fit.
  • 4 1
 Check out Knolly. With how far forward of the bottom bracket the seat tube junction is, they are very well suited for tall riders. I would know, I had a Chilcotin and I am 6'5". Loved that bike, particularly the fit.
  • 1 0
 @MortifiedPenguin: Cool, thanks for the suggestion! Checking out now
  • 1 0
 @boxxerace: I'll second the Knolly, have my Delirium and am also 6'5... pedals better than any fs bike I've ever had even at 170mm of travel. I personally think this is all down to the seating position... even if I still look like the some kind of great ape on a tricycle the fit and feel is better than any other bike I've ever ridden. That fugitive has me super excited for us sized wheels and Knolly geo!
  • 2 0
 Guerilla Gravity !
  • 1 0
 @optimumnotmaximum: +1 for GG. I have only ever demoed them, but they are also excellent for tall folks.
  • 7 1
 The bikes seem pretty cool but sick bikes and all the gnar related model names just sounds super childish to me...each to their own though i guess.
  • 8 2
 The Starling Little Beady Eye looks amazing. Like it wants to go way too fast on trails above it's pay grade.
  • 2 0
 Excellent list - i would make it 8 and throw in the Tantrum as well.

I have not had a chance to ride one yet, but what Brian is saying makes sense. And the handful of people (i think he has only produced 50 so far) are raving about them (grain of salt i know, they took a big risk as kickstarter backers so they should be enthusiastic)
  • 1 0
 Tantrum definitely have one of the coolest suspension designs out there. PinkBike gave it a pretty great first ride review a while ago, but they probably deserve more attention than they're getting atm.

www.pinkbike.com/news/first-ride-tantrum-missing-link.html
  • 6 0
 unno?
  • 22 0
 Dos?
  • 2 0
 would definitely be on my list.
  • 9 8
 Funny thing about Unno and Cesar Rojo is that in the interview with Vital, he said he kept the bikes at reasonable lengths despite being the person who started the long bike trend and inspired Chris Porter to do the Geometron. He wanted a more active bike. Kind of shat on the party... Big Grin
  • 4 1
 @WAKIdesigns: I guess Rojo knew with that price tag he'd be targeting a very different audience to Pole and Nicolai. One that has quite a bunch of cash, not necessarily "hard core" (or pick a better description, I'm not inspied). And he needs to sell bikes. There's what you wanna do, and there's a reality to match with.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: the general is unno target 'joe'. Most people out shredding can't drop that cash.
  • 7 8
 Heh, having talked to him personally I doubt he makes moves like that and talks sht like that just to sell bikes (unlike other small company) so no, not really. Also since he works in a company working with moto GP and F1 he can do whatever he wants. Unno is one of the Ceros ways to work with development of composites. It has to sell but their margins are very low, as far as I understood it, to make the leadership and accountants least worried.
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Ha ha. I don't know why cynical (realisitic?) Waki is being so credulous. Is that because you guys are Facebook friends now? Wink
Anyway, I also had conversations (in all honesty I rather listened others, I'm not a talker) during the Trans-Provence 2011 (or around that time) when Rojo was testing the Forward geo on a Mondraker test mule (looked gorgeous btw). I remember him (and Fabien Barel) argumenting to Steve Jones why carbon was not a good material for bikes... When did he start play with carbon for Unno? Certainly 3 years ago, possibly more. Between that conversation and the Unno thing, there's been no revolution in the CF industry as far as I know.
Also, if he wouldn't worry about sales: tell me why they start with 1 size per frame "for the average rider" (quoting an article of Dirt here)? Why don't they start with XS and XL? Well it's pretty obvious, they need to sell these bikes, even if they are overall small numbers, they need to sell. It's a company, not a non-profit organization.
  • 2 7
flag WAKIdesigns (Jan 11, 2018 at 23:10) (Below Threshold)
 @EnduroManiac: oh Jesus. I just threw that in there, if you want to discredit one of the most influential bike designers out there for the sake of long bike fab please do. This is not my opinion on it but I could easily make an argument that long bikes are for Joeys because they can’t turn anyways and long bike allows them to ride through rough straight sections doing less than a shorter bike. I do find it stupid and on the level of 12 year olds conversation to say that this and that is for joeys and this and that is for enlightened ones. I can take it as a joke from Team Robot but he is good at being funny. Enjoy your religion
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: why would I discredit him? Because thanks to him we finally have long enough bikes? Doesn't make sense what you're saying. You're literally changing the sense of my words. Are you 12 years old?
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: "long bikes are for Joeys because they can’t turn" Bloody hell... you obviously have not been riding a long Pole yet Wink Longer bike makes it easier to ride switchbacks. That's a proven fact on many cases.
  • 3 5
 @polebicycles: I stated clearly that it is not my opinion, that’s a theory one can easily make. My opinion is that riding is what riders do, not the bikes. Cesars argument is as valuable as yours since we are all subjects to laws of physics dictating compromise.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: It sounds similar to what Zerode did with the Taniwha - don't go too far with the geometry and scare people off. Longer slacker geometry makes sense but a lot of people haven't got their head around it yet. This is why the bigger companies are moving at a glacial pace.
  • 3 4
 @fartymarty: that's a theory. Just like the fact that long geo is the biggest selling point for Pole and without it their sales would be lower. Is it then fair to put it against them?! Does it make any freaking sense what so ever to insinuate they do it just for sales? No it doesn't. I am happy Pole and Nicolai exist, regardless of whether I want a bike like that or not. "Biodiversity" is good and this article is a celebration of it. Nothing kills me more than seeing someone trying to get me interested in reading about a new Trek, Canyon or NS Bikes and then how they were made. If Pole went out of business I'd think to myself "bummer for the bike world in general" - the others I mentioned wouldn't care for anything more than employees losing their jobs. BTW Sick Bicycles makes really long bikes too.
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I honestly think Pole and Nicolai / Mojo geometry is where it will end up in years to come. They have just had the balls to get there quicker.

It wouldn't bother me either if any of the biggies went under as I generally root for the little guys as they are generally more creative / progressive.
  • 3 0
 @fartymarty: Not so sure , I think it depends on ridingstyle etc. My bike has a reach of 450 mm (me 5`11)- and a cs of 17`` which is perfect for me. I had /tried bikes with a reach up to 475mm which felt not very good. It was actually almost as fast but way less fun, i always felt that i could not weight the front/rearwheel enough when needed. I am not really a beginner so i think a lot of people would find it hard to ride very long bikes properly -as they demand for loads of confidence and power.
  • 3 3
 @fartymarty: I just find it hilarious to be called out on being sceptical towards longer geos in a place where Dh bikes are the most playful and 29" wheels are not fun. Then I find it quite extremely counterintuive to say that somehow long wheelbase is as good at turning and manualing/bunnyhopping as "short" wheelbase. I do agree with you, long geos are the way to go, but I absolutely, entirely, wholesomely disagree with the notion that long short can be related to riders skill. No a dude on Pole is not automatically an expert, and dude on Ibis is not automatically a Joey. if there is anyone to benefit from a long bike it is the Joey. A decent rider can ride anything and manage the compromise according to his needs.
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: A shorter WB will always be better at manuals and bunnies and generally moving around - example of this is BMX. Longer WB will be faster and provide more stability.

A beginner needs something that is more stable therefore a longer WB. A good rider can ride anything therefore it is less important. For people in between you need to pick what suits your riding style and terrain. Racing is a different matter - you pick the bike you are fastest on.
  • 7 1
 Fuckin' Lemonade!!!
  • 2 1
 I agree ... purest geometry ..ever??? DAMN those curves
  • 1 1
 Too Beyoncé for my liking.
  • 3 0
 We need more information. Fingers crossed it's something like the Wreckoning with a slightly steeper STA, slightly more reach and slightly longer CS. Sexy alloy built in the PNW. Yes please. Oh, and a proper XL please.
  • 2 0
 No bar out?
  • 4 0
 What about pink bikes athlete of the year award? What about XC bikes and what about Nino guys?
  • 2 0
 as a frame builder, i must say that starling looks average as fuck. not bad by any means, just uninspired. but hey a frame is only as good as its geometry so im sure it could ride as good or better than anything out there
  • 3 0
 Thanks for the positive comments... What do you want? I always thought your bikes looked a bit unrefined and industrial, but each to their own!

The frame is designed to be as simple as possible, with a lightweight singlespeed mechanism. None of that massive heavy bearing around the BB shell nonsense.

Remember it's easy to come up with a complex solution to a problem, a simple elegant solution is much harder.
  • 3 0
 Definately the Sick Gnarpoon... but in a 26 inch version. They make it, I'll buy it. Unless Rocky makes the Pipedream in a 26 inch first.
  • 2 1
 Really excited for this new geometry shift that pole, mondraker, geometric, Transition, et cetera are working towards... although I could do without 29ers. Sure they’re fast, but I’m bad enough at macking wheels as it is and 29ers just aren’t as stiff.
  • 4 0
 Long travel 29er with 62° head angle? for when you want to compete rampage and just ROLL OVER THE CANYON GAP +999 fluidity
  • 1 0
 I see a lot of bikes these days have super short seat tubes why is that......I can see why so many people want 175mm+ droppers as there riding bikes that are far too short in this dimension. Sure a decent standover height is nice to have but theres no need for it to be the same as a bmx.
  • 3 0
 Mike, Spooky Cycles still exists and is making new things. I also regret selling mine, a Purple Ano supertouch.
  • 5 0
 Yah but now it's owned by a bunch of hipster douche bags.RIP Spooky Cycles.
  • 3 0
 @rideonjon: Sounds like just about all boutique brands nowadays.
  • 5 1
 That Lemonade bike is SO SICK ?!!!
  • 1 0
 That Lost Bikes Lemonade is gorgeous, especially in raw aluminium and love that it does both wheel sizes, i hope its going to be available in the UK for a reasonable price. if so where do i pay my deposit!
  • 3 1
 Get yourself a Gnarpoon, hunt your self some Moby Dick(heads) on the trails, yewww!
  • 2 0
 You'll have a whale of a time
  • 1 0
 Would have loved to see more photos of each model.. very sexy beasts,especially that machine which maybe my next dream build!?!! Availability in the states?
  • 1 0
 Am I the only one who thinks the Commencal looks like an Evil Wreckoning??? Different colours, but definitely the same lines.
  • 3 1
 Lost bikes as in that box truck converted into a mobile bike shop called “mr lost”?
  • 4 1
 Nope, different group of dudes.
  • 1 0
 I was gonna ask the same thing!
  • 2 0
 they all seem to be lost though
  • 2 0
 the bike looks very clean
  • 4 0
 Dark Owl DH02
  • 3 0
 I could buy their bike for the logo!
  • 3 0
 @mykel: that would make a wonderful mug Big Grin

And makes me think again if there is any way I could attach this to my bike without using duct tape and without looking lame. Alas nothing comes to my mind.
  • 3 1
 Why is the title not above the picture... come on pink bike... things like that drive me nuts.
  • 1 0
 Commencal, lost bikes and the antidote tickle my inner trail beast for sure!! And interesting feel for the rawness of the sterling!! Cool!!
  • 3 1
 Liteville 601 for ever... Wink Black one of course... Wink
  • 8 8
 What forever do you refer to? You’ll die in less than 100 years
  • 15 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Just because everyone who's ever been has died doesn't mean I can't be the first to live forever.
  • 1 4
 Waki this is one of your finest comments yet.
  • 5 3
 @riish: you obviously missed the one about shittin around the woods and golf fields as a way to grow psylocybins.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: ahhh.. golf fields, home to the best psilocybe semilanceata grow patches in my area. Thank you pretentious stick wavers Wink

"Fun"gi Fact:
one of the best methods to kick the nicotine habit and other addictions.
One of the best treatments for anxiety & depression.
Micro-dosing makes the day a little more fun.

Study by John Hopkins University
  • 1 1
 @Dropthedebt: I would not eat psylocibes from golf fields. They spray them with incredible crap so that grass is optimal for playing. Paul Stamets was rather clear about it that it is important to grow mushrooms in non contaminated soil. Me and my wife are planning to buy a cottage, then I'll be able to grow my own mushrooms from the kit. She´d kill me if I did it at home. Anyways I wish I could do the microdosing, so for now I'll buy Stamets legal mushrooms from his Host Defense site.
  • 1 0
 Wow, this subject again! I will soon be the expert in applied mycology thanks to Pinkbike. Theoretical aspect only for so far.
  • 1 1
 @Slabrung: if we all microdosed, Pinkbike arguments would be much shorter
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: then I hope it won't happen, what would I read with my morning coffee Frown Unless I would be microdosing too. But honestly, sometimes reading the comments section I have the impression that the chemistry of some brains here was artificially augmented Big Grin
  • 1 1
 @Slabrung: mine isn't
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: That why I live next to a golf field and hotel owned by an environmentalist. No pesticides or chemicals used on this field. In the summer its full of beautiful wildflower beds off the fairway, bees and insects happily frolic as they dance their merry pollinating dance, and the birdsong rings out through the valley. The 'shrooms we get here are very organic. Wink
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: then I fear what would happen if it was. Getting curious now!
  • 1 0
 @Dropthedebt: I can read that from your words hahaha.

@Slabrung: I’ll letyou knw when I’m on while I’m on.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Counting on you Waki.
  • 3 0
 PINKHUB
  • 1 0
 Has that Knolly gone with an integrated dropper post?? - Starting to see this as a future trend.. and I like it.
  • 1 0
 Gnarpoon 29er with 180mm and 62deg head angle????? is that a typo? That would be a BEAST!!
  • 19 17
 29ers--> 8===D O: ---Mike kazimer
  • 4 0
 it made me laugh
  • 10 8
 As a Pole I vote for Antidote
  • 3 1
 You have/had one, easy
  • 2 0
 a Polish economical (Knolly) Fugitive in Sweden? :-)
  • 2 0
 This is blatant favoritisim I thought we were friends.
  • 3 2
 @jordanchaos: it was good to hang out with you, these were some times, but George from Anti has a pumptrack in the backyard, double fridge exclusively for beers, pool table in the living room and let’s me ride his Turbo Levo... I hope you understand that he is a better friend to be around. Nothing personal.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Next time you speak to him please ask him to make an Anti with a gearbox (if they aren't already).
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Whats his number? I'm sacking you off mate.

Ask him about gettin me some of those candy ray bars.
  • 1 0
 Mike,

What ever happened to the SpeedGoat Cycles all mountain rig? It looked amazing.
  • 1 0
 can't think of a pair of more contrasting frames in every possible way than the Pole and the Starling.
  • 2 0
 and both are stunning.
  • 2 0
 That F*ckin' Lemonade is f*ckin sexey! Myah!
  • 3 5
 Right lets get something out there. This industry desperately needs brave and radical innovation. It needs someone out there to come out with a frame/suspension/gear/wheel design that overnight makes current designs 20 years obsolete. Why?....because designs have been stagnant for the best part of 20 years. Its just constant boring evolution of what we had before. I have got bored to the back teeth of un-inspiring designs and 100s of new bulls**t hub and offsetstandards to last a lifetime! FFS sort it out!!!
  • 1 0
 ...there are much more intersting bikes out there - especially new steel bikes
  • 1 0
 Yeah, I’d love to see that list compiled. But this is a good start.
  • 1 0
 that pole frame looks weird....I don't have ape arms so no good to me. I like the antidote plenty though.
  • 1 0
 @pinkbike would be cool to see where lost, dark owl, omen etc all ended up, up and coming then vanishes etc.
  • 2 0
 Structure Cycleworks
  • 1 0
 What catches my eyes is this guy riding a Minion SS on the front end!
  • 1 0
 I still kinda want a ble @Scotj009
  • 1 0
 yeah but it's too much of a clash with your other bikes!
  • 1 0
 Stanton Switch FS. Get KEEN.
  • 1 0
 Man after my own heart! 7 for 7 Mike!!
  • 1 0
 "Gnarpoon" is getting towards my perfect bike, but not quite.
  • 1 0
 The starling...More bikes like that please!
  • 1 0
 That lemonade looks juicy!
  • 1 1
 There are too many 29'' in this article.
  • 1 0
 Woops wrong article lol
  • 1 1
 That Gnarpoon!! Dayum!!
  • 1 1
 that gnarpoon is siickkk
  • 1 2
 AFAICT every one of these is single pivot.
  • 3 0
 The Knolly is a four (by four) bar.
  • 1 0
 @nouseforaname: aah, so it is. I posted as I thought part of the reason none of these look like a Session was their suspension layout, for starters.
  • 3 0
 A) Single pivots are awesome, so hopefully that wasn't meant to be condescending
B) Only 3/7 are single pivots
  • 1 0
 Pole is dual link, antidote has a link between chainstay and bb, knolly is Horst...
  • 1 0
 Yep, I shouldn'a used the small screen of my phone nor should I have posted in haste.
  • 2 3
 Show me the Capra!
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