Chumba Racing have unveiled the second generation of their EVO 6in-travel all-mountain frame. While the version seen here is still a prototype, production bikes should be available in January.
Changes over the well-received original bike include a new mini link suspension design, zero stack tapered head tube, sliding and swappable dropouts, ISCG mounts and cable routing for an adjustable seatpost. It also has separate mounts for coil and air shocks, in order to provide the optimum leverage rate for each type.
Simon Wilson, from UK distributors Progressive Bikes, said: "This frame has been on the drawing board for some time now and Chumba wanted to make sure that everything was 'right' before going to production. Some minor details are still to be finalised but on the whole the frame is ready.
"The idea behind the new EVO was to design and build a 6in-travel frame that had the best of the new technologies available, was tough but still lightweight and versatile enough to be a good all-round trail bike at a very competitive price point."
Other features of the new frame include:
- Double-butted, hydroformed tubeset made of 7 series aluminium.
- Low standover height.
- 67-degree head angle with a Fox 36 fork (68° with a Fox 32) adjustable by up to three degrees via cups.
- Adjustable wheelbase and chainstay length via sliding dropouts. Possible rear Maxle option.
The EVO frame will be available in anodised black, red or silver, or painted white, for around £1,350. That price doesn't include a rear shock, but Progressive can supply an Elka coil unit that's been optimised for the frame. Pre-orders are being taken now.
VF2 and XCL
Chumba won't be getting rid of their Horst Link bikes, the XCL and VF2. A new, beefier XCL is in the pipeline and there's talk of an all-alloy VF2. To coincide with the release of the new EVO, Progressive have dropped the prices of the current bikes. The XCL is now £899 and the VF2 £1,099, both with Fox RP23 shocks.
