When it comes to frame design and construction, there’s a lot of debate between metal or carbon and domestic or overseas manufacturing. Since their introduction, Guerrilla Gravity has been all about “making mountain biking more awesome,” which not only applies to the bike design, but about the cost, durability, and other factors in frame design. For a company that has focused on steel and aluminum frames, the decision to enter into the world of carbon fiber was not one to be taken lightly.
GG states that they wanted to create something with the best qualities of aluminum, steel, and carbon. That meant it would have to be tough enough to be durable in the long run for seasons of abuse, cost effective so that it wouldn’t price riders out of the market, and well, made in America, because they’re all about that.
That has all given rise to their revolutionary carbon technology they’ve named Revved. Rather than just use traditional carbon manufacturing methods, GG claims that they have sourced new materials and tech that allow for carbon production process that is not only more cost effective, but one that yields a stronger frame in the end.
How much stronger? GG claims the resulting build is 300% more impact resistant than typical designs. Apparently the technique uses a “cutting-edge resin that has only been available within the last three years. It features 300% higher fracture toughness compared to the typical traditional carbon fiber materials used in the bike industry. In engineering terms, toughness is defined as the ability of a material to deform plastically on a microscopic scale to absorb energy before fracturing.” This new group of materials has been used in recent large scale engineering feats like the Boeing 787.
Not only that, but the resin is able to be cured in just 30 minutes compared to the typical three hours since the new resin is able to tolerate faster heating and cooling cycles without affecting the final product. While a standard carbon mold may take an hour to heat up, an hour dwell time to cure, and an hour to cool down the mold, GG’s Frame Maker 3000 takes only 30 minutes from start to finish.
When combined with an automated carbon fiber layup procedure, the result is an 80% reduction in labor time while simultaneously increasing the quality and consistency of each frame.
That has allowed GG to eliminate human error in terms of layup, while creating a finished product that needs substantially less finishing work before heading into powder coating. Yes, powder coating. On a carbon front triangle. Since the resin is more tolerant to heat, GG is able to powder coat their carbon frames which is more durable, but also more environmentally friendly than traditional paint methods.
All of these changes have allowed Guerrilla Gravity to enter into the world of U.S. made carbon fiber with what is apparently a better final product, while keeping the costs down to an impressive level.
While the front triangles utilize the new Revved carbon tech, the stays are still made with good ol’ aluminum. Over the years we’ve heard from many frame manufacturers that this actually makes more sense since the metal stays are generally more durable, and you don’t stand to lose much weight from the use of carbon here. But it also is part of GG’s new modular frame design which results in four different models out of one front triangle.
Modular Frame Design
In what may be the ultimate quiver killer, GG’s modular frame platform starts with the bike in any base platform that you want. From there, Seatstay Tuning Kits allow for the frames to morph into The Smash, Megatrail, Trail Pistol, or Shred Dogg. That gives you the option of running up to 29 x 2.5″, 29 x 2.6″, 27.5 x 2.6″ or 27.5 x 2.8″ tires depending on the platform. When paired with the correct length shock, the tuning kits will change the frame’s travel from 120mm to 165mm.
Add in the GeoAdjust headset which changes the reach and wheelbase by 10mm, and the twin suspension settings on their Freedom Linkage with Plush/Crush or Trail/Gravity, and you have one of the most adjustable bikes on the market (that works with both air and coil shocks).
Frame Details
If that wasn’t enough, the frame has other smart details like the “Frame Storage System” that provides a spot for you to mount your spare tube and tools with a velcro strap, as well as a bottle cage mount above the rear shock for a stubby bottle. Cable routing is called “integrated-external” meaning there is a bolt on cover that goes over the cables on the downtube. This gives the look of internal cable routing with the serviceability of external routing.
Built with the Revved carbon front triangle and 6061 aluminum stays and linkage, the frames start at 6.5lb (2,950g) with hardware for a size 3 with no shock. Frames run a 30.9 seat post with stealth dropper routing, and feature a removable ISCG05 mount, 73mm threaded BSA bottom bracket, 12 x 148mm Boost spacing, and a universal Syntace X-12 Type 1 derailleur hanger.
Models (Text from GG)
2019 The Smash:
The rebel spirit of Joe Strummer lives on in The Smash, inspiring riders to choose their own path, no matter what stands in your way.
Details:
- 29 x 2.5 max tire clearance
- 145 mm rear travel
- 160 mm front travel (150 – 170 mm)
Vitals:
- 64.6° HTA
- 76.8° STA
- 13.6” / 345 mm BB height
- 17.1” / 434 mm chainstay length
- Ride Modes (accessible via a flip chip on the seat stay with no change to geometry):
- Plush Mode: Ultimate traction with plush, active feel through midstroke
- Crush Mode: Supportive and playful for goin’ fast
Changes for 2019
- 5 mm greater rear wheel travel
- 10 mm taller fork compatibility
- 230 x 60 metric shock sizing (previously 230 x 57.5)
- 1 degree slacker head tube angle
- 1 degree steeper seat tube angle
- 5 mm longer chainstays
2019 Megatrail:
As a highly refined and extremely versatile trail bike, the Megatrail is built for everything from conquering high-alpine adventures to shredding bike park laps, or just slaying your after-work rides.
Details:
- 27.5 x 2.6 max re clearance
- 170 mm front travel (up to 180 mm)
Vitals:
- 77.2° STA
- 17.0” / 432 mm chainstay length
- Ride Modes (20-second, one-bolt geometry toggle)
- Trail Mode:
- 155 mm rear travel
- 65° HTA
- 13.5” / 343 mm BB height
- Gravity Mode: 165 mm rear travel
- 64.5° HTA
- 13.2” / 335 mm BB height
Changes for 2019:
- 5 mm greater rear wheel travel in Trail Mode for better all-around performance
- 1.2 degree slacker head tube angle
- 5 mm longer chainstays
2019 Trail Pistol
As the “Singletrack Flyer,” the Trail Pistol inspires the kind of fun you only experience flying through the pit of a punk rock show. The kind of reckless fun that reminds you why you started mountain biking in the first place.
Details:
- 29 x 2.6 max tire clearance
- 120 mm rear travel
- 130 mm front travel (120 – 140 mm)
Vitals:
- 65.9° HTA
- 78.2° STA
- 13.4” / 340 mm BB height
- 16.8” / 426 mm chainstay length
- Ride Modes (accessible via a flip chip on the seat stay with no change to geometry):
- Crush Mode: More supportive through the midstroke for trail-bike response and playfulness
- Plush Mode: More active suspension, ultimate in traction in rough terrain
Changes for 2019:
- .7 degree slacker head tube angle
- 1 degree steeper seat tube angle
- 3 mm shorter chainstays
- Optimized exclusively for 29” wheels
- Plush Mode no longer raises BB for 27.5+ wheels
2019 Shred Dogg
This is the bike that turns your local trail into your very own pump track. The Shred Dogg provides an exceptionally lively platform for those that value playfulness more than smashing the super-gnar.
Details:
- 27.5 x 2.8 max tire clearance
- 150 mm front travel (140 – 160 mm)
Vitals:
- 65.8° HTA
- 78.2° STA
- 13.3” / 337 mm BB height,
- 16.7” / 427 mm chainstay length
- Ride Modes (20-second, one-bolt toggle with no change to geometry)
- Trail Mode: 130 mm rear travel
- Gravity Mode: 140 mm rear travel
Changes for 2019:
- 1.2 degree slacker head tube angle
- .5 degree steeper seat tube angle
- Reduced travel by 5 mm in Trail Mode and Gravity Mode
- New 210 x 55 shock size (previously 230 x 57.5)
- Trail and Gravity Modes no longer change geometry, just ride quality and travel
Pricing & Geo
Each bike is offered in four sizes, with each of those sizes having a short and long version depending on the position of the GeoAdjust headset cups. Pricing starts at $2,195 for the frameset, and complete builds run from $3,695 to $5,995 with Ride 1, and 2, and Race level builds (which vary based on the travel of the initial frame configuration). Guerrilla Gravity is taking orders for the bikes today, with an expected lead time of 4-6 weeks.
