Two years ago Patrick Morewood left Morewood Bikes to create a new brand focused on trail and all-mountain riding. He along with Leatt co-counder Mark Hopkins created PYGA Industries. The new brand is steadily building its quiver of models. The next bike in the line-up will be a carbon 650b hardtail designed with trail riders in mind.
The ZERO 650C (‘c’ in this case is being a designation of the carbon frame) is still in development. In keeping with the company’s trail bike ethos, the new model is designed around 120-130mm suspension forks.
The frame will feature internal cable routing, including routing for a dropper seatpost, a tapered head tube and a modular dropout system that will allow riders to switch between 142x12mm thru-axle or 135mm quick-release setups. PYGA plans to a steel mesh technology to improve impact resistance in critical areas of the carbon frame.
CAD rendering of the frame's modular dropout system
Morewood is a three-time South African downhill champion who can appreciate the benefits of 29ers, but recognizes they may not be for every rider.
“Having come from a downhill background, we felt there was a need to make this bike,” Morewood said. “Everyone knows a 29er is great for traction, rolling etc., but some people just don't like 29ers, and want the ability to ride very closely to the way they would on a 26in bike, while still gaining some benefits of a larger diameter wheel.”
Proposed geometry for the ZERO 650C
The ZERO 650C is in the final prototyping stages. PYGA hopes to have it available later this year. Pricing is yet to be determined.
