The annual Eurobike trade show in Germany has just kicked off, and British company Ragley were showing off their 2011 mountain bike range, which includes a refined Blue Pig, plus the addition of the Blue Pig X and Piglet.
Blue Pig
The Blue Pig long-forked hardtail frame first appeared in 2009 and has been a great success for the company – so much so that the geometry is unchanged for 2011. Everything else, however, on this hard-hitting 140/150mm machine is new.
Custom butting is used on the top tube and down tube, which allows for the removal of gussets and produces a lighter, stiffer and more attractive frame.
Ragley’s Brant Richards claims that the use of a 44mm ID standard head tube is a first for a steel frame, and it provides compatibility for regular, tapered or 1.5in forks. The cast chromoly split-plate 3 Finger Bridge chainstay has had some TLC for 2011 and is designed to protect against chainsuck as well as improving tyre clearance.
ISCG mounts come as standard for the use of a chainguide, bolt-on cable guides with stainless steel bolts are a neat touch, and weight’s been shaved off the frame by machining the inside of the bottom bracket and reshaping the rear stays. The new Blue Pig will be available from December for £299 (frame only).
Blue Pig X
Ragley reckon they've got the angles of the Blue Pig spot-on, so the only way to improve it would be to lose even more weight: step forward the Blue Pig X.
Built from True Temper OX Platinum steel – “one of those that gets stronger when welded”, says Richards – the X frame’s extra strength allows the tubing walls to be slimmed down, improving the ride and saving some weight.
The £399 Blue Pig X uses the same 44mm ID standard head tube and cast chromoly 3 Finger Bridge chainstay as the Blue Pig, with the option to run DMR’s Swopout dropout system out back, which allows you to run a Maxle through-axle or standard quick-release skewer.
Piglet
Continuing the farmyard feel, the Piglet is the Blue Pig’s little brother – designed around 120-130mm forks and aimed at “people that ride with their saddle up more than their saddle down". A slimmed down tube saves some weight. Frame-only price for the Piglet will be £259.
Keep an eye on BikeRadar for news on the Bagger 288 and Troof – Ragley hardtails designed to take 160mm-travel forks.