Juliana Bicycles has released an upgraded carbon version of its XC race-ready Nevis women’s specific mountain bike for 2016.
The sister company of Santa Cruz, Juliana base all their women’s specific bike models around existing Santa Cruz frames but make adjustments in finishing kit and size ranges to suit smaller riders.
The Nevis is based on the Highball 27.5, and is available in two versions, the Carbon CC and Carbon C, with the former using Santa Cruz’s top-of-the-range quality carbon. We don’t have one in to weigh in the flesh, but based on previous experience the weight penalty for the cheaper, heavier carbon is in the region of 200g.
Aimed at the XC race market, the matt black raw carbon finish isn’t just for aesthetics: according to Juliana, it saves 1/4lb or just over 113grams in weight over painted version.
Juliana state that the 69-degree head angle makes the bike ‘nimble on the ups and stable on the downs’, and its sibling, the Highball 27.5, did impress us with its fast acceleration and snappy handling.
Related: Santa Cruz launches new Highball
“I’m so excited to see the growing number of female riders who enjoy riding and racing cross-country,” explains Juli Furtado, 1990 XC World Champion and 3-time XC World Cup winner after whom Juliana is named. “We’re introducing the new Nevis to meet the demands of riders like Kelli Emmett and the NorCal High School Cycling League teams, who want a low-slung lightweight carbon hardtail for racing.”
The low standover, coming in at 28" or 71.2cm on the smallest size makes this bike attractive to shorter riders, with the size Small frame suitable for riders from 5'.
The Nevis C build consists of Shimano XT and SLX gears with Rockshox Recon Gold 100mm Solo Air forks with a 15mm through axle, Sram MTH hubs with WTB STi19 rims wheelset, and Raceface/Juliana finishing kit.
Opt for the Nevis CC, and you get SRAM’s new GX 1x11 drive train with SLX brakes and SRAM hubs, Fox 32 Float Performance 100mm forks, Easton AR 24 rims and RaceFace/Juliana finishing kit.
However, if you prefer to pick and mix, the online bike builder allows you to do so, choosing between a range of parts to create your finished build.
The Juliana Nevis Carbon CC is available as a frame-only option for USD $1899 / GBP £1699. Nevis Carbon CC complete bikes start at £3699, with various builds available through the online bike builder.
- Juliana Nevis CR – USD $2699 / GBP £2399
- Juliana Nevis CS - USD $3299 / GBP £2799
- Australian pricing to be confirmed.
The Juliana Nevis will be available for retail from mid-July 2015.
