PYGA Industries 650b carbon hardtail — First Look

Trail-oriented hardtail to be available later this year

Published: February 28, 2013 at 12:00 am

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.

The modular dropout system will accomodate quick-release and thru-axle systems: the modular dropout system will accomodate quick-release and thru-axle systems

Courtesy

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.”