Bulgaria may not spring immediately to mind as a country with a burgeoning MTB scene, but it should, because it is. It’s got mountains and everything. Plus its own indigineous brands, of which Ram Bikes is the biggest. The brand is also available in the UK – we’re testing a very impressive budget full-susser at the moment. If you’re looking for something in the high end, though, you might want to take a look at these two offerings.

These are Ram’s Team Edition XC1 (hardtail) and XC3 (full suspension), available in very limited numbers. Both use Ram’s “Extrolite” aluminium tubing, with the XC1 frame weighing under 3lb.

Spec on both Team Edition bikes is a similar selection of top-end gear from the SRAM empire. So you’re getting Reba World Cup forks with carbon fibre crown/steerer, Truvativ Noir cranks, Avid Ultimate brakes, Truvativ carbon bar and seatpost, SRAM X.0 whirly gubbinses and a DT wheel package.

A Team Edition XC3 will set you back £2,699 while an XC1 will be £2,299. They’re limited runs, so if you want one you’ll need to be quick. And in a burst of generosity the chaps at Ram Bikes UK are offering 10% off for Bikemagic readers who place a pre-order before 30 April. You can call ’em on 0117 941 0434.

Of course, shiny team issue bikes require a team to issue them to, and Ram’s UK squad for 2007 will number an impressive 16 riders across XC, FR, DH and 4X. The big-name signing is twice NPS 4X champion Martin Ogden, who’ll be racing NPS 4X and European rounds of the UCI World Cup on a Ram 4X kitted out with products from his co-sponsors Marzocchi, MRP, Michelin, Hope, Halo and Shimano. Martin will also be riding a Ram DHX downhill rig at selected events throughout the season.

Here’s the full line-up, including a couple of riders who appear to do without surnames:

XC

• Ryan Bevis (XC1 Hardtail)
• Llewelyn Holmes (XC3 Full Sus)
• Pete (XC3 Full Sus)
• Darren Compton (XC3 Full Sus)
• Jenny Wheatley (XC3 Full Sus)
• Andrew Wadsworth (XC1 Hardtail)

DH

• Phill Shucksmith (DHX)
• Sam Shucksmith (DHX)
• Zak Hurrell (DHX)
• Josh Hodgetts (DHX)
• Rob ‘Box’ Cooksley (DHX)
• Andy Luffman (DHX)

4X

• Martin Ogden (4X & DHX)
• Rich Payne (4X)
• James ‘Ginge’ Wilson (4X)
• Jason (4X)

More at www.ram-bikes.co.uk or www.ram-bikes.com.