Propain has released a new, refocused version of its Hugene trail bike with reduced 130mm travel at the rear, in an attempt to reframe what a ‘true’ trail bike is.
The brand claims the new bike is more agile, playful and efficient as a result of the changes to its design.
Key to this reframing is the feeling that shorter-travel bikes make it easier to push rider and bike towards their performance limits.
However, the Hugene's descending capabilities aren’t compromised according to Propain, with builds that feature plenty of kit more frequently found on far burlier bikes.
Geometry figures are modern, without going to extremes.
By creating the Hugene in this mould, Propain hopes to distinguish it fully from the longer-travel Tyee enduro bike, which is equipped with 160mm of rear-wheel travel.
While the Tyee is said to be a true do-it-all bike, the Hugene is more specialist, aimed at riders who want a bike for quick local laps, or those who want an efficient, lighter-weight bike for heading out into the hills for epic adventures.
Four builds will be available, priced from £3,399 / €3,399 to £8,149 / €8,149, with two US-specific Signature Spec bikes, priced at $3,999 and $5,299. Furthermore, via the brand’s online configurator, customers can customise their specs.
“Short stroke, max stoke”
The new Hugene gets a completely new chassis, with carbon fibre used throughout, even on the cheapest models.
This extends to the top link in the Pro10 suspension linkage.
The Pro10 linkage is a fully floating system, with the shock bolted between the two links that join the front and rear triangles.
The top link rotates anti-clockwise to compress the top of the shock, while the lower link rotates, a little, clockwise.
By building the top link from carbon (the lower is alloy), weight is saved.
This generation of the Hugene sees a little more progression from the rear suspension kinematics to give a more balanced feel, according to the brand.
The rest of the frame includes all the mod cons we’re accustomed to seeing on trail bikes in 2025.
There’s a frame pocket in the down tube, with a pair of bags pre-installed, so you can carry essential bits and pieces without them rattling. Seat tubes are short and straight, with room for a 200mm RockShox Reverb AXS dropper even in the smallest size.
There’s TPR seatstay and chainstay protection, and a new soft down tube protector to keep your investment safe.
Finally, fans of internal cable routing will be happy to see a range of options – ‘normal’ internal routing through ports on the side of the down tube, cables routed through the headset and Sixpack’s ICR system.
This ports the cables under the stem, rather than through it, but above the top cap of the headset, a system the brand claims leads to less water ingress and improved durability.
Shapes and builds
Looking at the geometry figures reveals nothing out of the ordinary – in fact, the geometry of the Hugene is distinctly average for a trail bike in 2025.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. The relentless march of going longer, lower and slacker seems to have mellowed – perhaps we’ve reached a new 'normal'.
Four sizes will be offered, with reach figures ranging from 433mm to 508mm, and seat tubes from 390mm to 460mm.
Of note, though, is that the stack heights are moderately low, ranging from 612 to 639mm. Those who want a higher front end should be able to fit a higher-rise bar, however.
Chainstays are a single 445mm length across the range, head angles sit at 64.8 degrees and effective seat angles are up at 77.5 degrees.
Six builds, plus customisation available
There will be four main builds in Europe.
The £3,399 / €3,399 Base build has a 140mm-travel RockShox Psylo Gold fork, SRAM’s Eagle 70 mechanical Transmission drivetrain and Continental’s Kryptotal Enduro tyres.
The Bomber build, priced at £4,849 / €4,849, has a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork and matching air shock, along with a Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes.
The Ultimate build has a RockShox Lyrik and Super Deluxe suspension combo, in the Ultimate flavour. It’s driven by a SRAM XO Transmission drivetrain, with stopping provided by Maven brakes. Schwalbe’s Albert Radial tyres make an appearance – all for £6,424 / €6,424.
At the top end, the Factory build has a Fox 36 fork and Float X shock at the Factory level. Shimano’s Di2 XTR makes its presence felt, while carbon DT Swiss EXC 1200 wheels add some bling, coming in at £8,149 / €8,149.
In the US, the $3,999 Signature Spec 1 has a RockShox Pike Select fork, Eagle 70 Transmission and DB8 brakes. Schwalbe’s Radial Alberts are fitted.
The Signature Spec 2 is priced at $5,299, with Ultimate-level RockShox suspension, mechanical transmission and Maven brakes.
Additionally, customisers have the option to perfect their build via an online configurator, with multiple frame and decal colour options, forks and shocks from Fox and RockShox, drivetrain and brake choices, and a number of finishing kit provisions.
