German manufacturers Rotwild (that’s “red deer” to our Bratwurst fuelled chums) have a whole bunch of new bikes ready to crush all before them, as we found out when we raided their distributors Peak District hideaway.

Last year’s Scandium frames get the elbow in favour of Rotwilds’ own “Channel tube shape” butted 7020 alloy tubing on their ultra-light RCC 08 hardtail and RCC 09 full suspension models, together with new swingarms and dropouts. Road bikes have also disappeared from the range and they’ll only be producing the pull shock version of their RDH 04 pro level DH monster.

The RCC 06 hardtail and RCC 07 XC full suspension bike use a Cane Creek integrated headset, and both will be available as complete bikes as well as framesets. The “freeride” RFR 03 is 300g lighter than it’s RFR 01 predecessor will also be available as a complete bike in coil or air shock versions, and it shares the adjustable geometry shock mount with the RCC 07 and 09, for “total rider tuning” as they probably say in Germany.

The bike that really caught our eye though was the new RDS 01 dual / Slalom bike. The dropped top tube frame is disc only, with reinforced bottom bracket, asymmetrical chainstays and the geometry is optimised for 100 – 125mm travel forks, but the overall ride dimensions are only slightly smaller than their race hardtails. All this makes it an attractive chassis for “Extreme XC” riders happy to run long seatposts.

Paul (Iddon, the importer) had only got a part way with building the frame up for test when we arrived out of the rain, but we’ve been promised first ride. We’ll let you know whether ‘resistance is useless’ after we’ve hurled it round the woods and moors a few times but until then here’s a nice picture of the best camouflaged wheelie-bin in the bike industry.

The new bikes are up on the Rotwild website if you want a closer look.

Rotwild: 01663 742844