If you’re familiar with Germany’s Rotwild Bikes, this special edition model won’t come as a big surprise. Mercedes-Benz’ performance brand AMG sponsors Rotwild’s race team and they’ve released two collaboration bikes before. The R.X45 AMG all-mountain bike in 2013 and the AMG team model RS2 road bike Bikerumor checked out at last year’s Eurobike.
For 2015, Rotwild has taken the same inspiration into off road territory with the GT S AMG special edition 29er, which draws its design cues from the new Mercedes-AMG GT sports car. If you’re thinking bikes and cars are kind of an apples-and-oranges comparison, let’s just say they meet on priorities of exclusivity, high performance, lightweight design, and of course aesthetics…
The GT S AMG features a special yellow on ‘carbon black’ color scheme to match its namesake car, but this is not just a stock bike with an overpriced paint job. The GT S AMG is an entirely new frame that was developed with input from Rotwilds MTB Racing team, and it already landed a Juniors’ World Championship title during its development phase. The frame features aggressive race-specific geometry with a 70° head tube angle, 74° seat tube, 435mm chainstays and top tubes of 575/600/625mm for sizes S/M/L.
The GT S frame is hand made with high-modulus carbon fiber, designed with the typical intentions of being lightweight and providing an optimal balance of stiffness and ride quality. Running a tapered head tube with integrated headset, the frame also uses a direct mount front derailleur, BB92 PressFit bottom bracket and post-mounts for a 160mm rear brake rotor.
Up front, a Pro Tharsis carbon handlebar and stem integrates with Shimano’s Di2 shifters, and the frame includes internal cable routing for the rear brake and Di2 XTR 2×11 drivetrain. Other choice components include a Crank Brothers Cobalt 11 carbon wheelset, Formula R1 brakes and 100mm ‘33’ fork with remote lockout, Ergon carbon seat, Pro Tharsis carbon seat post, Crank Brothers Candy 3 pedals and Continental Race King Racesport 29×2.20 tires.
The fortunate few who purchase a GT S AMG will also receive an AMG riding package, comprised of a Thule Round Trip Pro bicycle travel case, custom Topeak emergency tool kit and shock pump, and a Rotwild limited edition BX2 backpack from Ergon.
Only 100 of the exclusive GT S AMG bikes will be made but Rotwild will offer them in small, medium and large sizes. Available as of May 2015, the GT S AMG will sell for $10,776.00 USD.
