On-One's new Scandal

We reported on On-One's imminent foray into non-steel bikes with an aluminium Inbred over a year ago, and more recently there've been sightings of aluminium prototypes of the company's 456 hardtail frame. Neither of those has actually made it into production yet, but On-One has finally pulled its finger out and made a completely different aluminium frame that you'll shortly be able to buy.

The Scandal represents something of a departure for On-One in another way, too. It's designed to be light, rather than just kind of ending up whatever weight it ends up as. The frame uses Scandium main tubes and a butted aluminium rear triangle and is described as "amazingly compliant... the least aluminium-like aluminium frame you'll ride."

We're told that the sample frame pictured weighs 3.5lb - if you can't work out what looks slightly odd about it, it's got 29in wheels. Don't worry if you're not sold on the whole big-wheel thing, though, there'll be a proper 26in wheel version too. Which, thanks to having less tubing in it, will be a bit lighter. Geometry is exactly the same as On-One's steel Inbred and 29er frames and is therefore unlikely to lead to too many complaints.

Also imminent is a new pair of forks. Or rather, a new pair of pairs of forks. Or a quad of tines, or something. Um. On-One is now doing its own carbon fibre rigid forks. They're slightly heavier than certain other carbon fibre rigid forks on the market, but benefit from forward-angled dropouts and a beefy crown. More importantly, though, they'll be available not only in two lengths (440mm for 26in wheels, 470mm for 29in) but also two rakes. The 29in forks have 9mm more rake than the 26in ones to better suit the geometry of the larger-wheeled bicycle.

Scandal frames aren't due to arrive for another couple of months. On-One's pricing is legendarily fluid - the opening bid appears to be £325 for a frame and carbon fork or £399 for a frame and RockShox fork, but by the time you read this they might be tuppence for all we know.