Remember those cool Italian Battaglin road frames we told you about a while back? Now, Battaglin is expanding into the U.S. mountain bike sector with their “Full-Dynamix” brand, a line of six frames with various component specs from both SRAM and Shimano. The company has a history of working with carbon on their high end road frames, and they seem to have brought much of that knowledge and technology over to the dirt side. The frames are still made in Italy at the same factory as the road bikes, using many of the same materials and methods. Check out the new bikes and prices after the jump and see what you think.
SWAT EVO:
Right off the bat, you can see some of the cues from the road line coming through in this frame. All carbon, the SWAT uses a seat mast which, while limiting adjustment, should provide some rigidity and power while in the saddle. Looking at the spec’s for this bike, it’s clear that this isn’t meant for just any rider. At 960g for the frame, this is a serious contender for a lightweight, high performance frame. 100mm Rock Shox SID World Cup XX shocks, a full SRAM XX groupset, Mavic Crossmax wheels, and a full FSA carbon cockpit make up the best spec’d model, with an MSRP just under $7k. The second build, a step down to Fulcrum Red Metal 1 wheels and Rock Shox SID RLT shocks, brings the price down to a $6,220 MSRP. Available in S, M, L, and XL sizes.
FS.2
Moving further down the line, the FS.2 is still an attractive carbon 26″ model; essentially the SWAT frame with a seat post instead of a mast. The frame exemplifies many of the features that seem to run throughout the Full-Dynamix line, like squared chain stays and fat, oversize tubes. Up front, the bike is anchored by a 100mm Rock Shox SID RLT fork, with SRAM X.O components throughout, Avid Elixir Brakes, a FSA SL-K carbon cockpit and Fulcrum Red Metal 1 wheels. This SRAM build will retail at $5,109, but if you prefer Shimano XT, you can get the same build with XT components for $5,182 MSRP. The FS.2 comes in two colors; the red shown above, along with a similar green scheme. S, M, L, and XL sizes.
F29
What? You don’t have a 29er yet? Time to get on the bandwagon, and this would be a great hardtail, 7005 aluminum 29er to experience all these big-wheel beasts have to offer. With two build packages, the F29 will sit on either Mavic C29Max or Fulcrum Red Metal 29SL wheels with Shimano XT or SRAM X7/X9 components, respectively. Both packages use a Rock Shox Reba RL fork up front. MSRP for the Shimano build is $4,440 and $3,338 for the SRAM build.
FULLRIDER
Full-Dynamix only has one full suspension offering, the alloy-framed Full Rider. There isn’t much in the way of innovative technology here, using a traditional single pivot design to soften up the rear end with a Rock Shox Monarch shock. In the US, this frame is only available as a full build with Shimano XT components, FSA SL-K cockpit, and Mavic Crosstrail wheels. MSRP is still to be determined $4,402.
MAGIC
At 1250g for the carbon frame, the Magic isn’t quite as light as the 960g Evo, but it’s still race worthy, especially with the right build package. The Magic Pro build, a SRAM X.O 10×2 centered configuration, comes in at just under 22.4 lbs claimed weight, not bad for just over $4k. A downgrade to SRAM X.O nine-speed twist shifters and FSA cranks will save you a few hundred bucks, bringing the MSRP down to around $3,500. Both builds use Rock Shox Reba RL forks, Mavic Crosstrail wheels, and FSA SL-K Carbon cockpits.
Hans Kopp, who is heading up Batagglin’s shift into the US market, says the company is currently working with shops to get them on showroom floors ASAP, so keep an eye out at your LBS. Full specs for all the models are available at Battaglin USA’s website.
Have any of our Euro (or American) readers ridden these frames? What did you think?
