With CLIC24 just around the corner, I’ve managed to put off worrying about the task of riding for 24 hours by mulling over what bike would be most suitable for the challenge. Hardtail, full-suspension – it’s a tricky decision that’s had us in endless debates. But when we had a call from Martin at Scapin importers Veloce Bikes asking if we’d like to be the first to test the brand new Scapin Fybra, we just couldn’t say no.

Italian based Scapin has a habit of creating very desirable bikes, and they always seem to manage to stand out from the crowd. The Fybra is its first all-carbon frame and makes a radical impact. There are curves, ridges and swoops all over the shop, and it all looks very functional – this bike’s purpose is certainly clear.

The 1.4kg full monocoque high-modulus carbon frame is designed around a 100mm fork, and though it’s built for extracting as much speed from your legs as possible, Scapin has allowed for some comfort by way of a degree of built-in flex in the rear stays. It’s an amount that you can feel just by pushing down heavily on the saddle – should bode well for 24 hours or riding then…

The other standout features include the extended seat tube, something that is cropping up on road bikes more and more frequently. And we also like the replaceable strip of alloy covering the down tube and a small section behind the chainset to protect the carbon – we’re sure there’s scope for MTBs adorned in chrome like classic cars now.

All this and you might think it would be really expensive, especially being hand built in Italy. But we were surprised to find that the frame costs just £1,099. A lot of cash, certainly, but in the rarefied world of full-carbon XC race frames, very competitive. Veloce Bikes have supplied our frame befit with components worthy of the frame, including a 2007 XTR groupset, FSA carbon cranks and finishing kit and a Fox 32 F100 fork with rebound and lockout dials.

So I’ll certainly have no excuses in terms of the bike. Other essential 24 hour gear includes a small pile of SIS energy products, lots of Jaffa Cakes, HID lights from our friends at Lumicycle and an iPod Shuffle rammed with loads of trance, drum and bass and perhaps something mellow for the sunrise on Sunday morning. Playlist suggestions in the forum at the bottom of this page please…