Proof, if it were needed, that 29ers are spreading into the every corner of the mountain bike world is the unveiling of the new Genesis 29er, revealed at Madison’s Icebike trade show yesterday.

It’s still a prototype at this stage, so final details are yet to be confirmed, but on initial impressions it looks well executed and was well received by the gathered journalists.

The example shown to us, which looks to be a test mule and anyone who competed at Mountain Mayhem might have spotted this very bike being raced.

It’s currently built up around a 445mm rigid fork with, we’re told, slack geometry )no word on the official figure) to give a low front and promises stable handling. Seen here the proto is wearing a simple singlespeed drivetrain, with an eccentric bottom bracket providing enough adjustment so a chain tensioner isn’t needed.

It’s likely there will be three models based on this frame offered when it finally makes it to production, with the reported Alfine 11 spec most interesting to us – could it be the perfect UK winter bike?

The Genesis blog gives a little background on how the 29er came into being.

More at  www.genesisbikes.co.uk and www.madison.co.uk.