These are some early shots of the prototypes for the new range of bike from Charge. Charge is a new brand based in Somerset (hence the “Tested at Radstock Recreation Ground” stickers) and the bikes cover a range of genres, from XC to dirt jumping. There’s even a pub-specific bike… Production bikes may look a little different from these in minor areas like cable stop positions, the graphics might be changed a bit and we’re told that the component specs aren’t necessarily what you’ll get for real, but for the most part you’re getting a good idea of what the bikes will look like.

The Duster is the XC bike. The frame is Reynolds 853 with custom cast dropouts (they’re a cowled type, but hopefully of a design that lets you get the rear wheel out). It’s designed for a 110mm travel fork and will come in S, M, L and XL – the one in the picture is an M. You’re looking at around £300 for a frame, with a complete bike available fro around £900.

There’s two versions of the Blender 26in-wheel dirt jump/4X bike. They share the same geometry (and are both available in one size only) but differ in material. We haven’t seen many titanium dirt frames around, so the Blender Titanium may just make itself a comfortable niche. Charge says that it’s “possibly the lightest dirt bike ever” – frame weight is a claimed 3lb and the build pictured is apparently about 22lb all-up.

The steel Blender is made from Sanko double-butted tubing. Both are designed for 100mm forks and have ISCG chain device mounts on the bottom bracket shell. The steel version will be about £250 for the frame with various complete bike options – the titanium one’ll be a bit more…

If you like your wheels a little smaller, the Iron is a similar sort of thing to the Blender but with 24in hoops. Same price, similar range of build options – it’s shown here with Charge’s Nozzle rigid fork for that “big BMX” feel.

And finally, that pub bike. The Stove is a rigid 26in-wheel singlespeed with V-brakes and 3-piece BMX-style cranks. It’ll be one size only, bereft of frills but under £300, which can’t be bad.

We’ll be getting hold of a Duster to play with soon (frankly, we wouldn’t know what to do with the others…) and we’ll let you know how we get on. In the meantime, have a look at www.chargebikes.com for further details.