When Revel Bikes introduced that founder and former proprietor Adam Miller wasbuying the model again, we couldn’t have been happier. There’s all the time disappointment when any model struggles, however the Revel announcement hit additional laborious.
Maybe it was as a result of announcement of recent choices from the model that made the closure additional tough to swallow. Perhaps the sting of doubtless by no means attending to trip them was greater than we may bear.
With such a tumultuous yr, you’d suppose a model like Revel would take issues simple. However no; Miller and compadres are doing what they do greatest — persevering with to innovate on the highest ranges of body design.
And, as soon as once more, they’re dipping into titanium.
Revel Again From the Lifeless
Earlier this yr, Revel Bikes introduced that it will be closing. This announcement took many without warning, but it surely wasn’t stunning on the similar time. On the one hand, the model had simply launched two new bikes — the ReRun and Ritual — and new colours for the Ranger.
Alternatively, it has clearly been difficult instances for the mountain bike trade. Manufacturers like Kona and Rocky Mountain, amongst others, had lately made related bulletins, making Revel’s, whereas disappointing, virtually anticipated.
There are lots of podcasts and articles you may learn that dive a bit deeper into what precisely went on with Revel…we’ll depart that as much as your leisurely Google search. However, in a nutshell, what appeared to occur was this: after the model exploded in 2019, Miller bought the model to non-public fairness companies. The hope of extra capital equalling progress maybe didn’t gel with Revel’s core values of making high quality bikes which might be a contact completely different.
Plus, there was this loopy pandemic the place outside recreation exploded, after which fell off. All manufacturers took successful, but it surely was particularly laborious for boutique outfits like Revel. Sadly, increased ups made laborious choices, and traders selected to chop their losses.
Fortuitously, Miller, crushed by the announcement, stepped in to revitalize the model and, so far as we all know, issues are trying promising.
Continually Innovating
Issues are trying particularly promising, contemplating Revel is as soon as once more teasing a brand new bike. And this bike is a change from the usual carbon CBF frames we’re used to.
Whereas it’s one thing utterly new, it isn’t out of the realm for the model.
Titanium isn’t new to Revel. Its sister model, Why Cycles, was recognized for its ti choices starting in 2016. In 2022, the titanium innovation Why delivered to the trade got here beneath the Revel umbrella. Standard bikes such because the El Jefe have been now Revel’s, which solely labored with carbon however now dabbled in titanium.
And there have been no complaints.
Together with starting (once more) to make ti frames, Revel additionally began pioneering an entire new idea for body manufacturing. Whereas by no means truly launched, the model teased the Rodeo. A CBF carbon 3D printed downhill bike demonstrated the potential of how frames might be manufactured sooner or later.
And, now, Revel is doing it once more with the RaTical.
Revel’s New Idea Bike: The RaTical
Wrapping up a yr of ups and downs, Revel is selecting to finish issues on a particular excessive. As we speak, the model releases Venture RaTical, a 130mm path bike that ventures from their common carbon choices.
Here’s what we all know to date. The Revel RaTical makes use of 3D-printed 6Al-4V (Grade 5) junctions welded to 3Al-2.5V (Grade 9) titanium tubing. It options 6Al-4V titanium machined {hardware} and a 130mm CBF platform. The bike ventures away from Revel’s typical horizontally mounted shock to a vertical mount. It additionally includes a very cool, very anodized 3D-printed titanium fundamental hyperlink.
Whereas the suspension platform varies slightly removed from what we might anticipate a Revel CBF bike to appear like, Chris Canfield stated this:
“This new format may appear like a standard Horst hyperlink bike. However this one isn’t just like the others. I’ve specifically tuned this format with my CBF particular sauce to present it the ability switch you anticipate from CBF. It’s grippy on the climbs, has excellent management on the downs, and sprints prefer it’s acquired a motor.”
The RaTical clears 29×2.6” tires, is 31.5 kilos, and is UDH suitable. From the images, we see a RockShox Lyrik/Tremendous Delux combo, Business 9 wheels, and Continental tires. In addition they tease SRAM Motive brakes, a Transmission drivetrain, and Path One bars.
A minimum of, that is what may probably be. At the moment, there appears to be just one Revel twin suspension ti bike that founder Adam Miller is cruising round on. Right here’s what he stated:
“Titanium full suspension bikes previously have been restricted by welding tubes. Concessions all the time needed to be made in geometry, kinematics, and body flex. However now, with the flexibility to 3D print titanium, the chances are virtually limitless. We are able to apply far more of our carbon engineering design philosophy to a extra conventional materials. I’ve all the time been a fan of titanium and full suspension, so this bike is a fruits of each obsessions. Plus, it rides ridiculously good!”
We actually can’t wait to search out out extra particulars about Venture RaTical and, in fact, will take any alternative to check the brand new bike.
Revelbikes.com
