Genesis, once known as a company that only dealt with rigid and hardtail mountain bikes, is looking to expand the range next year with its first full suspension model. The Grapil will be a 120/140mm travel bike using a linkage driven single pivot.

The frame in the photo is still very much a prototype. We’re told the wrong downtube was welded to the frame and this is something that will definitely be very different when the finished frames roll out of the factory early next year.

So it’ll change a bit before it hits production next spring, but already it’s looking to tick all the boxes. Details have been carefully considered, with sealed bearings in the main pivot and PTFE bushed linkages, dropper post cable guides, ISCG05 mounts, 12mm Maxle Lite dropouts and a XX44 headtube that lets you fit any fork you want.

The new 29er is finally given a name – the Fortitude

Here’s another look at the other new bike Genesis is working on, the Fortitude 29er. Since we first saw it at Madison’s annual tradeshow iceBike earlier this year, Genesis has now named it the Fortitude.

Interesting name aside, the bike features a Reynolds 725 steel frame designed around a 445mm rigid fork. The head angle is on the slack side at 69.5 degrees to give the bike a laid back handling feel.

It’ll be in the shops in February  and three bikes will be offered with geared and, singlespeed and Alfine 11 builds.