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Bike Ahead The FrameOne of the lightest hardtails in the world goes into series production

Jan Timmermann

 · 23.12.2024

If you are looking for an exclusive hardtail but don't want to resort to a custom build, you can now put a dream race bike "off the peg" in your garage with the new complete bikes from Bike Ahead.
Photo: Bike Ahead
Lightweight construction specialist Bike Ahead launches the first complete bike on the market. With a dream weight of less than eight kilos, The Frame is said to be one of the lightest production mountain bikes in the world. Nevertheless, attractive entry-level prices are tempting. The carbon hardtail has already scored top marks in the BIKE test. Now you can find all the information about The Frame complete bikes made in Europe.

Bike Ahead may be known to many for its lightweight and often high-priced carbon parts made in Germany. Who hasn't marvelled at the iconic six-spoke wheels from the Bavarians? This year, Bike Ahead also presented a frame under its own brand for the first time with The Frame. Bike Ahead has been manufacturing lightweight frames for premium labels such as Last and Stoll for years. Now the Veitshöchheim-based company is going one step further and offering complete bikes for the first time.

Thanks to the modular system, the Ahead The Frame Hardtail bike can of course be configured with high-quality carbon parts from the company. Complete bike weights start at under eight kilos.Photo: Bike AheadThanks to the modular system, the Ahead The Frame Hardtail bike can of course be configured with high-quality carbon parts from the company. Complete bike weights start at under eight kilos.

In the lightest configuration and frame size M, the weight of the new Bike Ahead The Frame complete bikes is 7.85 kilos despite the suspension fork. The trail version with 120 millimetre fork starts at 8.0 kilos. This makes the Bike Ahead The Frame one of the lightest production mountain bikes on the planet. Anyone expecting astronomical sums will be disabused. The exclusive race hardtails start from 4999 euros.

The Ahead The Frame complete bike with 120 millimetres of suspension travel on the fork starts at a total weight of 8.0 kilos.Photo: Bike AheadThe Ahead The Frame complete bike with 120 millimetres of suspension travel on the fork starts at a total weight of 8.0 kilos.

We were already pleasantly surprised by the frame price of The Frame in our test. At € 1978.99, it is significantly lower than the high-end competition from the Far East. The frame is manufactured in Portugal and finished in Germany. The Frame's carbon footprint is therefore better than most other hardtails. The naked chassis in one-piece monocoque construction weighs from 795 grams in size M.

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The Frame frames are baked with the expertise of Bike Ahead in Portugal at CarbonTeam. The finish takes place in Bavaria.Photo: Bike AheadThe Frame frames are baked with the expertise of Bike Ahead in Portugal at CarbonTeam. The finish takes place in Bavaria.

BIKE was the first MTB magazine in the world to have the opportunity to test The Frame in comparison with other supersports bikes. The result: test victory for the personal bike of Bike-Ahead boss Christian Gemperlein. The test success was so well received that the company decided to offer The Frame as a complete bike from February 2025. This means that not every biker interested in buying a bike has to plan and build a custom bike, but can rely on an optimised overall concept. Advice and delivery will be provided by the authorised dealers.

>> Here you can find the detailed test and all information about the Bike Ahead The Frame <<

Of course, the complete bike of The Frame can also be ordered with the legendary Bike Ahead Biturbo wheels.Photo: Bike AheadOf course, the complete bike of The Frame can also be ordered with the legendary Bike Ahead Biturbo wheels.

Details of the Ahead The Frame complete bike

  • Area of application: cross-country / marathon
  • Wheel size: 29"
  • Front suspension travel: 100 / 120 mm
  • Weight of complete bike: from 7.85 kg
  • Frame weight; from 795 g
  • Price: from 4999 Euro
  • Permissible total weight: 105 kg
  • Special features: first complete bike from Bike Ahead, modular system with lightweight parts, made in Europe

>> The example of the Bike Ahead The Frame documents what has happened in 30 years of carbon hardtails <<

The design without paint leaves the carbon structure of the Bike Ahead The Frame series bike visible.Photo: Bike AheadThe design without paint leaves the carbon structure of the Bike Ahead The Frame series bike visible.

Models and prices

Bike Ahead offers The Frame complete bike in a modular system based on two platforms and in four sizes from S to XL. This means that the finished bike can be customised to meet individual requirements. for example with the lightweight parts made in Germany by Bike Ahead. The fun-oriented trail platform is called The Frame HT - GX AXS and comes with 120 millimetres of suspension travel and 2.4 inch tyre width for additional reserves in off-road use. A dropper post can of course be configured on request. Starting price: 4999 euros.

The Ahead The Frame HT - GX AXS bike with 120 millimetre suspension fork and 2.4 inch fat tyres is available from 4999 euros.Photo: Bike AheadThe Ahead The Frame HT - GX AXS bike with 120 millimetre suspension fork and 2.4 inch fat tyres is available from 4999 euros.

The uncompromising race bike in the new complete bike line-up from Bike Ahead goes by the name of The Frame HT - XX SL. The purist is adorned with some of the lightest parts the MTB market has to offer. These include, for example the Bike Ahead Three Zero XC wheels, which BIKE has already crash-tested. The price for the dream package starts from 8499 euros.

Full house: With the Ahead The Frame HT - XX SL bike, racers get a dream hardtail off the peg. It starts at 8499 euros.Photo: Bike AheadFull house: With the Ahead The Frame HT - XX SL bike, racers get a dream hardtail off the peg. It starts at 8499 euros.

>> Want something even more purist? Then it's worth taking a look at the fairly priced lightweight bike from VPace <<

Jan Timmermann

Jan Timmermann is a true mountain biker. His interests cover almost everything from marathon to trail bikes and from street to gravel. True to the motto "life is too short for boring bikes", the technical editor's heart lies above all in bikes with charisma. Jan also runs the fitness centre for our cycling brands.

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