The latest frame from Ragley, the brand launched a year ago by ex-On-One Brant Richard's Shedfire outfit, is the TD-1 29er.
The rigid only frame has been designed around a 440mm fork, a common size for 26in wheeled bikes but which a 29in wheel fits in just fine says Ragley designer Brant Richards. "Typically 29in bikes run 470-490mm forks, and so by running the shorter fork, we can lower the handlebars by 30-50mm. Which means a more racey position."
The frame is being built by Lynskey Performance in the USA, and will feature their sliding dropouts, a horizontally ovalised top tube, a curved seat tube (better tyre clearance in short stay mode, and better front mech positioning too.) There are plans for a more affordable steel version and possibly an aluminium option too.
Three sizes - 16in, 18in and 20in - will be available. The 18in has a 24in top tube, 4in head tube, 72 degree head angle and 73 degree seat tube angle. The 16in is half an inch shorter, the 20in half an inch longer (and has a half inch longer head tube). Bottom bracket drop is 2.5in, and chainstays sit around 17.3in fully forward with a half inch backward movement possible for bigger tyres/chain tensioning purposes.
Interested? You can pre-order a Ragley TD-1 frame from Hotlines UK now. They're priced £1199.99 and should be in stock in the next couple of weeks.
More at www.hotlines-uk.com and www.ragleybikes.com
