If you’re the type of rider who prefers to have one well rounded MTB instead of a whole fleet of different bikes, a mid-travel 27.5” like Juliana’s updated Furtado is probably right up your alley. The newest Furtado is a bike that aims to reward riders with a playful style. From technical trails to the pumptrack this bike was designed to tear through tight corners, pump backsides and pop over roots and rocks.
This year’s model gets two significant frame updates: The Furtado now features Juliana’s latest Lower-Link VPP suspension design, and they now come with size-specific rear stays to provide the most balanced geometry possible for any rider.
Juliana Furtado frame details:
The new Furtado frame will be offered in Juliana’s C or CC carbon. The Furtado provides 130mm of rear travel, and they’re set up with 140mm forks. The frames have just been updated to the new Lower-Link VPP suspension design, which produces a straight, predictable, progressive curve. This leverage curve allows the bike to work well with either air or coil shocks, and should make for easy suspension setup. The new linkage improves small bump compliance, traction, and provides more mid-stroke support than the outgoing Upper-Link VPP design.
Many of you are probably aware that Juliana bikes are women’s versions of Santa Cruz’s bikes, but there is one difference between the 5010 and the Furtado’s suspension: The Furtado features a lighter shock tune to help ensure smaller and/or less abusive riders get the ride feel they should, and not struggle to use all their available travel. If you’re curious about playing with different rear shocks, the frame leaves ample space for any brand or type of 210x50mm shock.
The other significant frame update is that the Furtado’s now come with size-specific rear ends. Juliana has joined the ‘both ends are equally important’ camp, and they’re banking on the new geometry to provide a better, more balanced rider position for any customer. Check the chart below for the exact numbers, but all sizes have pretty short back ends to keep these bikes feeling nimble and whippy.
Favoring fun over all-out speed, the Furtado rolls on 27.5” wheels, and can run up to 2.6” widths. Axle spacing is Boost 148x12mm, and the BB is a 73mm threaded type. The Furtado has ISCG05 tabs, and now runs SRAM’s universal derailleur hanger which will rotate rearwards if you hit your derailleur.
Cable routing is fully internal, and the small ports near the head tube don’t allow the cables/hoses to rub your paint. The chainstay is protected with a noise-cancelling chain guard, and the down tube has a shuttle guard on its underside and a water bottle mount on top.
Geometry:
The Furtado’s geometry shows the bike’s do-it-all intentions, with head tube angles in the 65 degree range and steep seat masts to ensure solid pedalling prowess. Standover height was kept low so you won’t be afraid to get playful, reach has increased by 10mm’s over last year’s version, and the low bottom bracket provides all around stability.
Juliana does include a flip chip in the Furtado, but flipping between the Hi and Lo settings doesn’t change anything too drastically. The biggest difference is raising/dropping the BB by 4mm’s, and altering the reach by a few mm’s. Steering and seat tube angles change by less than one degree. Check out the chart above to see all the slight differences between Hi and Lo.
Model Lineup:
Check out the specs below for all the details and prices, but here’s a few quick notes on the Furtado builds: First off, there are a few women’s specific components on Juliana’s bikes, namely the brand’s own Segundo saddle and Juliana Grips.
The top-spec X01 RSV model comes with Santa Cruz’s Reserve 30 V2 carbon wheels, and the two CC carbon models feature SRAM’s new 10-52t Eagle cassettes. All bikes except the base C R model get Rockshox Reverb Stealth dropper posts.
All frame sizes come with quick-handling 40mm stems, and every build kit includes high-quality treads; The Furtado’s roll out with 2.4” Maxxis DHR2 MaxxGrip front and MaxxTerra rear tires.
If weight is a priority for you, you’ll be happy to see the heaviest model just cracks the 31lbs mark, and that’s for the size medium.
The Furtado is also available as a CC carbon frame-only, which includes a Rockshox Super Deluxe rear shock, the rear axle, derailleur hanger and seat clamp. The frameset retails for $3299.
Frame sizes range from XS-M, and the only color option is Spicy Redwood. The new Furtado is available now through Juliana dealers. Check out their website to find a shop near you. Juliana offers a lifetime warranty on their frames and free lifetime bearing replacements to the original owner.
