Evans Cycles have unveiled their 2011 Pinnacle range, which will hit their 43 UK stores later this month. In total, there are 30 new bikes spread across nine model ranges, with plans to introduce more machines in coming months.
In terms of design, the range represents an evolution of the old Pinnacle range, with a minimal, uncluttered look. There’s also a tribute to the company's heritage with the initials FWE on the head tube badge – a nod to the opening of FW Evans' first workshop in London 90 years ago.
Pinnacle marketing manager Albert Steward told BikeRadar: “We’re particularly proud of the women’s models. We’ve listened long and hard and the general consensus is that overtly feminine designs aren’t actually that popular and if anything are considered somewhat patronising. Typically, bike gear aimed at females has been dominated by pastels, pinks and flowers.
"With the new Pinnacle women’s models we’ve tried to steer clear of these, as shown in the Gabbro model. The bikes aren’t immediately identifiable as women’s models. Instead we’ve placed the emphasis on fit and comfort, with low-slung top tubes for increased standover clearance, more compact geometry and proportionally shorter stems, handlebars and crankarm lengths.”
Here’s a brief look at each of the new models:
Arkose (£849.99 - £999.99)
While it's nominally a cyclo-cross bike, the Arkose is just as likely to see duty as a year-round commuter – and to this end it features mudguard and rear pannier rack mounts. The top-end Arkose Two comes with Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brakes and a 'cross-specific FSA Gossamer 46/36T chainset, while the more basic One has an FSA Tempo triple.
Pinnacle Arkose 2 (£999.99)
Dolomite (£549.99 – £999.99)
The drop-bar Dolomite has been designed as a sportive bike or fast commuter. A carbon-legged fork helps shave weight and reduce road buzz, and there's plenty of clearance for mudguards, along with front and rear eyelets. The basic Dolomite One comes with a full eight-speed Shimano 2300 groupset for £549.99.
Pinnacle Dolomite One (£549.99)
Gabbro (£599.99)
The Gabbro is Pinnacle's entry-level women's drop-bar bike, with no pink, pale blue or flowers in sight, a compact frame and female-specific finishing kit. Shimano’s eight-speed 2300 components take care of shifting duties while an FSA Tempo compact 50-34T chainset and 12-25T cassette provide an ample gear range.
Pinnacle Gabbro
Neon (£399.99 - £699.99)
The Neon is a flat-bar road bike, with a lightweight aluminium-bladed fork up front and Kenda Kwick Roller Sport tyres. Mudguard eyelets and rear pannier rack mounts should keep commuters happy, and, with mini V-brakes or discs specced throughout the range, Pinnacle reckon a change of tyres is all that's needed for the Neon to tackle light off-road duties.
Pinnacle Neon One (£399.99)
Lithium (£329.99 – £499.99)
Another 700c flat-bar bike, the Lithium differs from the Neon by emphasising comfort over speed – hence the tapered steel fork and chunky Kenda KWest tyres. It has mountain bike inspired geometry and an upright riding position. Pinnacle reckon it's perfect for city commuting duties – it has mudguard eyelets and rear pannier rack mounts – or weekend towpath jaunts.
Pinnacle Lithium Three (£419.99)
Cobalt (£349.99 – £499.99 RRP)
The Cobalt is designed with the recreational/leisure cyclist in mind, with an upright riding position, 700c wheels and a 50mm-travel Suntour coil fork to soak up the bumps. Mudguard eyelets front and rear and rear pannier rack mounts add versatility. The women’s models have a step-through frame design, compact geometry, shorter crankarms and stem, narrower handlebars and a female-specific saddle.
Pinnacle Cobalt One (£349.99)
Jarrah (£349.99 - £699.99)
Pinnacle's four-bike entry-level mountain bike range starts with the £349.99 Jarrah One, with a seven-speed Shimano drivetrain and 80mm-travel Suntour XCT V3 coil fork. It tops out with the Jarrah Four, which upgrades to a nine-speed Deore/SLX drivetrain, 100mm-travel RockShox Dart 3 and Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes.
Pinnacle Jarrah Three (£599.99)
Iroko (£849.99 / £1099.99)
The more performance-orientated Iroko hardtail is billed as "ready for the trail straight out of the box", with Shimano gearing, RockShox forks, Mavic wheels and Continental tyres. That's all the info we have at the moment.
Pinnacle Iroko Two (£1,099.99)
Willow (£349.99 / £549.99)
The Willow is Pinnacle's entry-level women’s mountain bike. It has a more compact frame geometry than the men's hardtails, along with shorter crank arms and stem, narrower handlebars and female-specific saddles. Visit Evans Cycles' blog for more information on this and all other models in the new range.
Pinnacle Willow Two (£549.99)
