LATEST NEWS
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Ragley Half Waffle Grip
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They’ve got one, and I think they get it
Wideopenmag is one of those new online only mags that are out there. They’ve been doing some good stuff for a while now (on issue 9 already) and so when they approached us with wanting a Blue Pig to test, we said “er, go on then”.Having spent yesterday wondering whether anyone “got” stick-your-own-decals and alloy (not cheese) bolts – it’s good to see a positive response so far from the lads – and it also gives you a chance to see (I am sounding a bit sad now, but stick with it) the really good packaging we use to assure as far as we can that the frames arrive with you in tip top condition.
I think they want to do an interview as well – that should be interesting depending on what mood I’m in on the day.
Anyhow – it’s all here – http://wideopenmag.co.uk/news/2689/new-ragley-blue-pig-longtermer
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Sneak peek of new seatpost
We’ve got got the shots of the pre-production “Ragley Spike” seatpost we’re doing. We took a newly announced stock model from a very reputable manufacturer, changed a few things, and added a unique graphic that probably makes no sense until you see it in the frame.Essentially, instead of having a line up the back with height markets on, this has a line that wraps around the post, which will make it hilariously easy to set the post to the right height, after you’ve dropped it, rather than having to peer at the back of the post. As the post goes into the frame, the point at which the height line crosses into the frame will move “around” the seat tube.
The post is 7075 butted aluminium tubing, is coming in 31.6 and 27.2mm sizes, and a 400mm length. It’ll have a 5yr guarantee. Pricing and other things to be confirmed. More details over on the Shedfire site.
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Sorry it got through – we’re changing it
We were somewhat disconcerted to see particularly substandard welding on a Blue Pig frame at The Bike Chain in Edinburgh posted online.I’m sure it’s structurally sound, but we know that the look of the weld is important, and it looks in this case like the fit between the box gusset and the downtube was particularly poor. Here’s what it’s meant to look like.
We’ve recalled the frame from The Bike Chain, replaced it with a new one, and now have our first “slight second” 18in Orange model that we’re not sure what we’ll do with yet, but we’ll probably put under a tester somewhere harsh to see if they can get it to fall to bits, so we can see what the effect of bad welding there is.
If you get, or see a Ragley frame and aren’t happy with the levels of finish, please get in touch.
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What Mountainbike Review – Blue Pig
“a radical hardtail frame that rides superbly in conditions that most right-minded people would do their best to avoid.”
The frame here is a final prototype, but some members of our test team are already placing orders for the first production bikes due imminently.
Designed by Brant Richards (previously On-One) this is a radical hardtail frame that rides superbly in conditions that most right-minded people would do their best to avoid.
The long top tube, steep seat angle and slack head angle demand a 50-70mm stem but with a big bar and a stiff 140-160mm fork you’ll feel invincible. It’s a superb technical climber too, consistently surprising everyone who rode it with what they could get up.
The unique ‘three finger’ split-plate chainstay design means massive mud and chainring room, and this is the first steel hardtail we’ve ridden that passes the latest brutal CEN testing standards.
The skinny seatstays and cunningly butted main tubes still manage to deliver a resilient wrist-saving spring to the ride. There’s excellent traction and power delivery, and ample breathing space meant we didn’t worry about the high weight either.
The separate sticker kit and machined cable/hose clamps can all be moved according to different rider/drivetrain demands too.
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Blue Pig Headtube stickers
Sorry – they’re too big to stick vertically. We will be making a revision and you’ll be able to get a proper one. In the mean time, you have a nice big Ragley sticker to stick somewhere else. OR – stick ‘em on sideways.
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Alpine Blue Pig update
Guy from FlowMTB has been putting lots of miles into his Blue Pig in the Alps. He’s just posted an update over on Singletrackworld.comHi all,
Now I’ve had the Blue Pig for a month now, I though it would be a good time to post an update..
Impressions are very good to say the least. The bike has been able to handle most things I can throw at it. It’s been on epic two day rides in to the back of beyond. It’s been on quick blasts around here (Morzine) when I’ve not had the time to ride all day. It’s most at home on the Techy stuff – switchbacks are a personal favourite.
It has the ability to inspire confidence and know that the front will roll over stuff if you let it – not get stuck behind an obstacle and throw you off – that’d be the slack head angle then..
Climbing wise – I’ve not had to do too much of that yet – what with uplifts all around – but the climbs that I have done it’s been me rather than the bike that’s faltered. It goes up a lot more confidently than most hard tails I’ve ridden. The front end does wander a bit on the real steep stuff – But then I do have some 160mm forks on there – right on the limit for this frame.
And most importantly – it’s never felt out of it’s depth around here.
Current spec in order of importance is:
Fox 36 Van R
Dual Ply Minions
Short stem
Big wide bar
Some round(ish) wheels
Some brakes that stop
Some gears that goI’d like to get a hammershmidttdddddttt on there – but it needs some ISCG mounts and some more money in my bank account before that happens! Failing that a blackspire stinger to keep the chain in check.
TRANSPARENCY CHECK – Guy has the frame on loan, and hasn’t paid us for it. He’s under no obligation to keep riding it, but hasn’t paid for it with his own money. I’ve never met him, or stayed at FlowMTB, or have any great intentions of doing so as I’m dead busy, but it looks lovely.
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Carnegie’s – new extreme sweep bar
I’ve got previous with this sort of thing, but we’ve brought some new details to the party.
Changes from everyone elses bar out there?
Oversize bar clamp for strength and stiffness when you’re hauling.
7075 triple butted tubing – the very best out there. Heat treated. Shot peened. Black anodised.
Tested to exceed the new stringent CEN standard.Spec is a 25deg backsweep with 685mm tip-to-tip, which as the bars are angled makes them feel like a true trail-worthy 700mm bar. That’s 27.5in. They can be trimmed, a little, but the width is great for control – we like it this way. Weight is under 300g.
They are in stock now! They are £39.99
You can see the bars on my bike here
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Ragley Ti build in Skipton
Here's the pics of the Ragley Ti demo from The Bicycle Shop in Skipton.
Oliver the manager writes – "As you can see from the pics it has the Shimano SLX groupset and finished off with some nice Hope Gunsmoke finishing kit. Hopefully we should see our Blue Pigs come through in the next day or 2. Myself and the rest of the staff have ordered one so i will send you the complete builds of those over the next few days. We will also be offering a Blue Pig demo bike for people to take out and try again we should have that sorted sometime later in the coming week."
See and download the full gallery on posterous
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A tale of two races.
We got our first race podium this weekend, as Jason Miles piloted one of the TD-1 Rigid 29er Prototype frames to 3rd place at Sleepless in the Saddle. He rode a good solid race, quite in contrast to our lunatic other endurance racer, Twinklydave, who basically blew his nuts off inside 9hrs. But sounds like he had fun.Read semi-victorious Jason’s account here.
Read Dave’s explosive prose here.
And thanks to qwertyphoto for letting us use their race pics.
Read more about the TD-1 project over on the Shedfire Design site.
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