Breezer Bikes founder Joe Breeze will release his first 29in-wheeled mountain bikes for the 2011 model year. The Cloud 9 carbon hardtail will come in two versions (Pro and Limited), while the Jet Stream line is made up of two aluminum models (Comp and Sport).
Breeze was one of the pioneers of the sport in the 1970s, and he's now embracing the move towards 29in wheels. “We've spent lots of time optimizing the design of our 29ers to make them the best riding 29ers on the market,” he says.
"This bike is really good in the fast and twisties. That's why I love mountain biking, it's at its highest on the tight and twisty trails, and I want a bike that will fly through that terrain. You'll really feel one with the bike in that regard."
Breeze says his 29ers are exceptional climbers, too. “By shortening the chainstays I'm addressing the Achilles heel of 29ers – their less-than-optimum traction on climbs," he says. "Cyclists will be delighted by the my bikes' lively, fast ride.”
The Cloud 9's seat tube bends ever so slightly to accommodate the rear wheel
Both Breezer 29er models have 439mm chainstays. For comparison, 29ers from Niner, Specialized and Trek use chainstays measuring 440mm, 445mm and 436mm, respectively. Breezers' short stays are possible because of modifications to the seat tube, says Breeze.
Another notable feature is the chainstay-mounted disc brake. This forward brake mount is claimed to be more rigid for less brake howl, and more protected due to its location between the seatstay and chainstay.
Breeze-In style dropouts grace the new bikes and are part of an effort to keep the frame's joinery to a minimum
The frames feature a host of Breeze touches including Breezer D’fusion tubing shapes, which Breeze invented in the 1990s. D’fusion tubes feature D-shaped cross sections that are said to diffuse stress and eliminate the need for heavy gussets. The bikes also feature Breeze-In dropouts and a curved down tube.
"I've always wanted to make the [frame's] tubing the star of the show," says Breeze. "The tubing [or carbon structure] is light and resilient, and I've always structured the joinery to be as reduced as possible. Our bikes have the most tubing of any bike and we don't believe in gussets. This makes our bikes come alive."
Breezer’s Cloud 9 will be available this fall in Limited Edition (US$5,899) and Pro ($2,999) versions or as a frameset ($1,799).
The D'fusion tubing shape is said to eliminate a stress riser on the underside of the head tube