TREK
They’ve made a jump bike, but apparently they aren’t exactly sure why. Reports are (and there’s a picture in the new What Mountainbike?) is that it’s got a square section downtube and a general chunky appearance. Geometrically we’ve no idea, but we have heard that Trek UK bought two Planet X Jack Flash frames last year and sent them to the US. The Planet X frame itself was based on the Spooky Metalhead, with geometry tweaked by Fabrice Taillefer. And now it’s being copied by someone in the states. Mad.

Trek have also been working on a mass-produced RECUMBENT bike. Our spy didn’t get to ride on, “but I saw one hanging up in the factory”. More details when we know, but it will be interesting to see if they can bring it to market.

Trek also have a suspension bike called FUEL which is essentially a Fisher SUGAR with a rocker in the different place.

GT
Hordes of journos from around the world have just got back from Laguna Beach for the GT 2001 presentation. BIKEmagic didn’t get to go for reasons that weren’t clear, but “The Utah Trip” was mentioned. Whatever that means.

Their new jump bike is THE RUKUS, designed by their top R&D rider BILLY and some bloke called Steve who rides for them. Multishape tubing and general loveliness abound. It’s strange that they’ve now made their Zaskar – the original “hardnut hardtail” (who makes these sub-sectors up?) into a lightweight World Cup race bike!

They’ve also hacked large amounts of weight and travel out of the I-Drive bikes. They’re longer, shorter and generally better all round. “They work!” said our spy, clearly delighted that they were better than the former models, of which we only ever saw 2 in the UK anyway.

KLEIN
Have a FISHER SUGAR with different paint, as their suspension bike.

MBUK claim the new colours will be “army camo in matt finish” – sort of jungly colours. Who knows.

PACE haven’t told us anymore about their new forks. Figure it’s about time to ask.

TA are rumoured to be making inroads in the dirt scene with plans for a bash guard and things in their high quality alloy.

WTB have been on the phone saying they “want to send us some new bits”. Which is nice.