Even if it sometimes doesn't seem like it in the daily mountain bike media coverage, there are far more than twenty bike manufacturers in the world. The most exotic of them are hidden in small niches, are expensive, exclusive and wonderfully exciting. This article is intended to provide a stage for bikes that we don't get to see on the trails every day: Eight underdogs for inspiration and reverie.
1 Ellsworth Truth
Bikers from the early days of Ellsworth's history are awestruck by the name. The Americans were known for exciting paintwork and a rear suspension system with an extremely long rocker link. This has also been retained in the current Truth model. It gets 120 millimetres of travel out of the rear triangle, 100 would also be possible for competition. A particularly low centre of gravity should give the bike great handling for cross-country and light trail use. Unfortunately, the frameset is only available in three sizes and is not actually available in Germany. The geometry of the new edition remains conservative despite the proud price point of 3995 US dollars for the frame kit.
2nd Chiru Highlander
The Chiru Highlander was specially developed for the Highland Trail 550 race in Scotland. The aim is to cover 550 miles, or 885 kilometres, in the shortest possible time. The trip through the Highlands covers 16,000 metres in altitude. The geometry of the 120-millimetre hardtail is therefore fully trimmed for long-distance efficiency. The titanium frame offers space for up to 29 x 2.6 inch fat tyres and numerous mounting points for bottle cages and luggage. If you want, you can also order the matching seat post and a handlebar/stem unit with a particularly large number of grip positions made of the precious light metal from Chiru. The frame costs 2845 euros individually.
3. carbon Wasp Truffle-120
The Carbon Wasp Truffle-120 is painstakingly handcrafted in a small workshop in Leeds, Northern England. Customers can choose from a combination of four different main frame sizes and six rear triangle sizes. Always included: a down tube storage compartment and 120 millimetres of rear suspension travel. Instead of painting the carbon, Carbon Wasp foils it so that cut-outs from the manual work remain visible. Without the shock, the Truffle-120 frame costs 3034.95 euros.
4th Prova Ripido
The fact that only a few bikers in Germany know about Prova is probably due to the fact that the titanium frames are built in Australia. The small boutique label specialises primarily in beautiful gravel bikes, but the portfolio also includes a mountain bike. To be more precise: a party hardtail, as Prova itself calls it. A special feature is the partially 3D-printed frame details made of titanium, which will make enthusiasts' mouths water. The customer is free to choose the tubes. Each individual piece is only built by hand with a customised geometry on request. The prices are confidential.
5 Ari Signal Peak
Ari Bikes offers a wide range of different mountain bike platforms, but is hardly known in Germany. The Signal Peak model, with 110 millimetres of rear suspension travel and 120 at the front, is aimed at cross-country and marathon racers. According to Ari, it is the lightest carbon frame it has ever designed. The rear triangle with flex pivot and the geometry with a 66.5 degree flat head angle are modern in design. As a direct mail order company, Ari's bikes are attractively priced, but are unfortunately not sold in Germany. Prices for the complete bike start from 3399.95 US dollars, the frameset costs 2614.95 dollars.
6. sturdy tare
Thanks to a large number of 3D-printed titanium elements, including frame parts, cranks and stems, Sturdy has ridden its way into the hearts of bike aesthetes. The British company produces beautiful custom frames according to individual customer wishes. For the Tara, the Brits recommend suspension forks with up to 130 millimetres of travel and promise complete bike weights of between 7.3 and 8.5 kilos. At 6994.95 euros, the frameset including 3D-printed titanium add-on parts tears a huge hole in the personal budget.
7th Berria Mako
With the Berria Mako, the Spanish label is taking system integration to the extreme. Scott is no longer the only manufacturer with a fully integrated shock. In the BIKE test, the exotic marathon full-suspension bike with 110 and 113 millimetres of travel proved to be a racy racer. Asymmetric carbon rims, the voluminous cockpit unit and the integrated seat clamp ensure a unique look. The carbon seatpost is also an in-house development and its flex construction is designed to pamper the rider with a high level of comfort. The geometry corresponds to the old - but in southern Europe still very popular - marathon school. Prices start from 3299 euros for the complete bike and 2499 euros for the frameset. Our test build weighed in at 11.4 kilos.
8th Moots Scrambler
The new Moots Scrambler presents itself as an adventure bike for bikepacking trips away from civilisation. Mountain bike features such as 29-inch wheels meet gravel bike handlebars and a titanium frame. The elegant hybrid is only built in limited numbers in the USA, but is also available here in Germany. At a minimum of 8195 euros for the complete bike or 4660 euros for the frame, the Scrambler will remain a dream for most globetrotters. Collectors will pay even more for the exclusive topo anodising.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
