German bike maker Bergamont has taken their popular full suspension trail bike and given it a solid reboot. For 2017 the Trailster gets two all new frames that add a bit more versatility to the line-up, growing the bikes’ travel across the range. On one end they’ve reworked their top-tier Trailster with a first time all carbon frame, and on the other side they’ve built a new Plus-sized alloy bike for the added grip you can pull out of a 2.8″ tire. For when the trail drops off more than an all-mountain bike can handle, Bergamont also has an updated version of their Straitline DH bike with a carbon rear end and track adjustability out back. Then almost all the way over to the road, they have a new carbon gravel road riding and endurance Grandurance bike that has a unique adapting solution to picking different width tires based on the day’s riding. Get a good look at each of the new bikes, plus actual weights after the break…
Trailster
The new carbon Trailster sticks with standard sized tires on 27.5″ wheels, although it does still get clearance for 2.4″ rubber. The carbon bike will come in one complete MGN build at the top of the broad Trailster offerings including a SRAM X01 build, and another Trailster 10.0 1x complete version.
The all carbon Trailster frame keeps the same single pivot, faux-bar travel of the current alloy bike in an all-new frame that grows the travel 10mm to 150mm for better downhill capability. The new bike gets updated with new integrated chainstay protectors against both chainslap on the chainstay and chainsuck behind the BB92 bottom bracket.
The new frame also gets a removable front derailleur bracket for clean 1x setups, and adds an ISCG mount for more burly builds. Under the downtube of the new carbon frame a bolt-on protector keeps rock strikes at bay, and also allows access to the new internal cable routing setup.
While the carbon bike is about lightening up to make the Trailster more capable serving as a cross-country trail bike, a new Plus-sized frame goes the other way for the bike line to take on more aggressive trail surfaces. Soon to be available in two mid-level spec options, the new aluminum bike essentially takes the current bike and widens the rear end for more clearance.
Building off the same lengthened 150mm all-mountain Trailster platform, the new bike adds Boost rear spacing and clearance for 2.8″ tires. With the move to 27.5+, the Trailster Plus also adds compatibility with 29er wheels, although it doesn’t look like a frameset-only option will be available, at least in 2017.
Like the carbon bike, the Trailster Plus gets updated internal cable routing, and a set of modular 2-piece cable ports that lock cables in place to keep them quiet and secure. The alloy Trailster Plus also gets the ISCG tabs and removable front derailleur bracket, however the complete builds are spec’ed more with 2x builds (and Sideswing derailleurs) to give them broader and lower gearing ranges for tackling loose and steep trail surfaces.
Throwing the two Trailsters up on the scale it is pretty clear how their riding style intentions lean. Both bikes get a pretty high spec, X01 vs. XT, and stealth dropper posts for trail-readiness, but the 11.9kg/26.2lb Trailseter MGN is loads lighter than the 15.11kg/33.3lb Trailster 8.0 Plus. The carbon bike really is aimed at riders looking to climb the mountain fast before bombing the technical descents on the other side. The alloy Plus bike on the other hand is all about boosting grip. The wider tires and 2x groups are heavier, but offer about the same rolling resistance in a package that delivers more comfort and more traction for heading off of the main track for a bit more all-mountain exploration.
Straitline
Bergamnot has racing downhill World Cups for years with their Straitline series, but has been testing a new bike this season with their Bergamont Hayes Factory Team. The new bike completely rethinks their DH suspension design and adds in more setup adjustability. Two new versions of the bike will be available: the all alloy version that we haven’t seen, and this version with an alloy front triangle and linkages, but with an all carbon swingarm (and complete weight at around 16.4kg/36.15lb with pedals). The carbon rear end was said to stiffen up the bike, and to drop frame weight down to just 3.9kg/8.6lb.
Keping the same 215mm of rear travel and single pivot rear wheelpath, the new Straitline gets a new linkage-driven shock design. The new 3-piece linkage sits inside the split seattube to deliver a highly progressive suspension setup with a very sensitive initial stroke and stability without sag in the middle of travel. The result is a great improvement in the bike’s confidence descending and an almost bottomless travel.
The bike gets a new set of integrated chainstay guards on both sides to protect not only against the chain, but outside impacts. The frame also gets an integrated mini rear mudguard (although we haven’t seen it) that is said to keep mud and debris out of the new linkage setup.
The new Straitline is all about course-specific setup and gets several different option to adjust its geometry. Variable chainstay length is accomplished with a set of replaceable dropouts that also make the bike capable to be set up for either 26″ or 27.5″ wheels (in both chainstay lengths), although all complete bikes get the larger diameter wheels. At the front of the suspension, a Flip Chip Tech front shock mount lets riders adjust BB drop and head angle, which also pairs with an adjustable position headset
Prime Grandurance
On the road side of things the new Prime Grandurance was built to satisfy the one road bike to meet all needs crowd. Maybe it is a mountain biker’s road bike as it was designed to take on long distance endurance road rides, but also to be capable to swap in cross tires to hit up the gravel roads and even head off-road.
To solve the multi-surface solution with multiple different tire widths, Bergamont developed a modular insert for the ample clearance fork. By bolting on a small plastic insert when using narrow road slicks, their thought is that it creates a smoother look running a 25mm tire. Then with it removed there is space for up to 37mm rubber. Maybe more interesting though, is a mini mud guard that bolts onto the fork for a little protection but still enough room around a 33mm+ tire.
We didn’t see the mini fender, as Bergamont had lost track of the only one they had, but even the rear end is set up to get one too, with small mounts for it on the underside of the seatstays.
The carbon, disc brake all-road Prime Grandurance gets 12mm thru-axles front and rear and a tapered front end. The bike uses pretty typical internal cable routing and a bottom pull front derailleur. But in order to make it friendly to 1x setups, the front derailleur mount can be removed for a clean setup, and a two bolt mount above the PressFit BB86 will let you install a chain guard.
