You may think what you like about the material. But the advantages of carbon in the construction of mountain bike frames are numerous. The frames are usually lighter with the same stiffness, often quite robust contrary to the clichés, the material is less fatiguing compared to metal and the designers can also control the properties of the material very specifically: Flex in the seat stays and seat tube, maximum stiffness in the bottom bracket area. The design is also freer and the as-cast look without weld seams definitely has its fans.
This is why the small Swiss custom forge Transalpes (not to be confused with the mail-order company Transalp) is now also relying on black fibres for its latest project. As the name suggests, the Transalpes C1 is the company's first carbon fibre bike, and the campaign is currently still running on Kickstarter. There is 150 millimetres of travel in the rear of the frame, with a choice of 150 or 160 millimetres in the front and 650b+ or 29-inch tyres and wheels. The head angle of 66 degrees (65.5 degrees at 160 millimetres) is slack but not too slack, the reach of 450 millimetres in size L is well chosen. The seat angle is 73 degrees. The 28 millimetre drop in the bottom bracket means you should stand low on the bike with sufficient ground clearance, which gives you confidence on rough descents.
Speaking of safety: Wide tyres and rims are of course also part of the package, as are the 449 millimetre chainstays. Some would certainly like to see a little more playfulness here. Nevertheless, the geometry seems to be a success, the frame weighs 2400 grams without the shock. Not exactly light, but maximum stability was more important to the developers than a few grams of weight.
Two equipment variants, one frame kit - reduced prices on Kickstarter
For the suspension equipment, the Swiss rely on the proven combination of Rock Shox Pike and the Super Deluxe shock. The gears are shifted by Sram twelve-speed shifters. The slightly cheaper Factory version costs 5200 francs on Kickstarter (then 6400 francs) and relies on GX and wide aluminium wheels from NoTubes, as well as the Kindshock Lev Si. In the Signature version, you get even more carbon for your money with XX1 Eagle, Hoops carbon wheels and Acros 9teen hubs as well as the KS Lev Ci carbon dropper post. This will cost 7200 francs on Kickstarter, the regular price will then be 8990 francs.
A frame kit is also available on Kickstarter for 2990 francs (3890 francs regular). If you wanted to, you could also build your own signature bike under the guidance of Transalpes' chief mechanic Jasmin. Unfortunately, these two bikes available on Kickstarter are already taken, but perhaps the manufacturer can be persuaded to offer further self-assemblies if there is interest - the small company is known for being able to respond to individual customer requests.
The frames and finished bikes will be delivered to customers from March 2018. The Kickstarter campaign is still running until 4 November, and at the time of going to press there were less than 2,000 francs left to reach the funding target. Customers will then also be able to customise the C1 using the in-house bike configurator. When shipped to Germany, the bikes will be converted into euros depending on the exchange rate.
Here the Link to the campaign.
Questions about the bike and the campaign are answered at kontakt@transalpes.com answered.
Click here to go to the Website of Transalpes.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
