Corratec had a massive array of bikes on display at Roc d’Azur, but the real eye-catcher was their curvaceous, split toptube X-Bow 29er.
The frame is full carbon and has a list of intriguing features beyond the dual tube design. Speaking of design, the raw carbon mixed with paint on the insides of the tubes is very handsome in person. Now, features: The X-Bow design gives the bike smaller triangles with a very stiff design, made more so by the ovalized integrated seatmast and its large x-shaped cross bracing.
More on this, some interesting shock and linkage designs and a massively powerful, full carbon motorized mountain bike, after the break…
These images give a better perspective of just how curvy the toptube/seatstays are. The gap between would make a great stash place for tubes, tools, etc. using a ByKyle simple strap or similar. The dropped chainstay design puts space between it and the chain to prevent chainslap. Couple this with Shimano’s new Shadow-Plus rear derailleur and you should have one quiet ride.
The chainstays are tall and heavily shaped to keep it laterally stiff. Cable routing on the downtube could be a little cleaner, which is a shame because the rest of the bike is really well presented. The rear brake is post mount to avoid the additional weight of adapters and takes advantage of the dropped chainstay design by moving inside the rear triangle.
Thanks to their UBBS (Universal Bottom Bracket System?), you can run any BB standard you like with any crankset you want. Front derailleur is direct mount.
The Corratec X-Bow 29 will come in three trim levels. The top of the range SL is full XTR with DT Swiss Tricon 1550 wheels. The XTR model has an XTR drivetrain with Avid Elixir 7 brakes and the same wheels. The XT model gets XT drivetrain, Avid Elixir 7 brakes and lesser wheels. All three use the DT Swiss XMM 100mm fork. The frames are the same, all carbon and made in Italy.
The Superbow 29 is the alloy equivalent but gets a standard bottom bracket layout and lower end build kits.
The E-Bow 26 uses a similar frame to the X-Bow but is completely built around using a motor. The full carbon design, integrated seatmast and high end spec suggest they’re quite serious about this beast.
From the looks of things, the bike is quite serious about its mission, too. The massive motor is built directly into the frame. How serious is it? It boasts 1500 watts and an 80km top speed. That’s 49.7mph. With mountain bike tires and a cross country race level DT Swiss fork.
Against the back wall were a couple of interesting suspension designs. The X-Force had a thru-shock design (through the seat tube) that looks quite similar to the LaPierre X-Race that just launched. Similar naming scheme too!
Below the X-Force was the Glacier, a 100mm travel XC bike with a similar suspension platform but quite different execution. The shock is a bit higher, obviously, but there’s also an additional linkage between the chainstays and the shock:
