Freshies: You can look forward to these bikes!

Mondraker Summum

The bike label from Alicante is also launching its World Cup downhiller in aluminium in 2021. The Spaniards are offering three models, in 27.5-inch, 29 and a mixed version (Mullet). The bike is said to have the same genes as the lightning-fast carbon bike from team rider Laurie Greenland - and of course the Mondraker-specific fast-forward geometry.

Pricesfrom 4199 Euro

Rocky Mountain Altitude

After the Canadians have upgraded the Slayer to a freerider, the Altitude is now getting an ego boost. The enduro bike has been designed to be even more capable off-road. "A bike you can win EWS races with," says enduro pro Jesse Melamed - and promptly won in Zermatt. Suspension travel: 170/160 mm. The bike is available in medium with either 29er wheels or 27.5 inch wheels. The chainstays and head angle can be varied. The reach is moderate in medium (27.5) (455 mm).

The Weights are rather lush (from 14.3 kg), the Price anyway (4000-11500 euros).

Giant Trance X 29

We particularly liked the Trance in our last FREERIDE test because it is lively, light and playful, just the way we want a trail bike to be. "In the low geo setting, the Trance almost mutates into an enduro bike," says Giant man Marc Kessing about the new 29er. By that he means a flip chip. It can be used to flatten the steering angle for a smoother ride (65.5°). The suspension travel has also been increased: 150 at the front, 135 at the rear.

Available in carbon and aluminium, Price from 2499 to 7999 euros.

In FREERIDE 1/2021 we pit the Giant against the new Specialized Stumpjumper.

Successful Enduro: Alutech Fanes

The Fanes made a big impression on us years ago and won many a test with its balanced geometry and successful kinematics. Now the bike manufacturer from Schleswig-Holstein is putting its successful enduro bike on large wheels and giving the frame a new design language. In other words: curved where it was previously straight, angular where it was previously round. The Enduro with aluminium main frame and carbon rear looks martial, because that's modern. The geo has also been tweaked so that the bike remains playful and manoeuvrable despite the large rollers. The facts: 64 mm steering angle, 75 mm seat angle, 440 mm reach (in M).

Pricefrom 3899 euros. Info: alutech-cycles.com

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Alutech Armageddon

Wow, the box is long! And flat. What was Alutech designer Jürgen Schlender thinking? First of all: The Armageddon is a geometry study according to the motto: try it out instead of speculating. Because a similar bike called the Grim Donut was discussed up and down on Pinkbike. But it was never built. So the internet community could only speculate.

Alutech reacted quickly, packed its own ideas into the bike and welded the box together. The Armageddon (57 mm steering angle, 81 mm seat angle, 500 mm reach size M, 427-440 mm chainstays) could be the enduro bike of the future. Or not. Only time will tell, after all, we were also initially throwing our hands up in disbelief at 800 mm handlebars. Designer Schlender: "We thought the bike would be wobbly to steer, corner badly and climb badly. But it was completely different!" That's exciting, isn't it?

"You have to try it out!" Interview with designer Jürgen Schlender, Alutech-Bikes

An enduro bike with a 59 mm steering angle. Are you serious, Jürgen?

Of course that's extreme. But if you don't try it, you won't find out. It's also a fact that you have to get used to certain things before you demonise them. Many years ago, I met professional biker Andrew Shandro in Winterberg and asked him to try out my downhill bike. It had a 62.5 steering angle and Andrew said it was unrideable. Today we know that things turned out differently. It was similar with the first 29ers. In short: sometimes you have to be pushed and think outside the box.

So could the Armageddon with its radical geo be the enduro bike of the future after all?

The bike is certainly a bit too extreme for the everyman biker. But I was surprised - indeed, everyone who tested the bike was surprised at how much fun it is.

Not for everyone, for whom then?

You must be an experienced biker. Armageddon is no fun without advanced, active riding technique.

Your bike was inspired by the Grim Donut geometry study on Pinkbike.

That's right. There was wild speculation there, and we at Alutech built a similar bike right away - even with more extreme angles.

We think that enduro geometries are pretty mature. No?

You would think so. Three years ago, my Tofane 29er enduro bike had a 64 mm steering angle, and my competitors shook their heads when I said that such steering angles would become established in 2-3 years. It didn't even take a year. But it's true: In the beginning, customers were overwhelmed. It takes some getting used to.

Once again: Is this the geo of the future?

No, it's too special for that. But in enduro racing, a bike like this may be faster on the right track.

Will Armageddon go into series production?

If a sufficient number of units are collected, why not? In short: depending on buyer interest.