In the world of mountain biking, it seems kinda rare that any brand takes a less-is-more approach with just about anything. But that’s exactly what Propain is doing with the third iteration of the Hugene trail bike. While the Hugene has been and will continue to be the versatile shorter travel model in the brand’s lineup, the latest version actually gets reduced travel in an effort to differentiate it more clearly from its other models.
The overall frame design looks nearly identical, but the new Hugene has 130mm of rear travel and a 140 mm fork — 10 mm less than the outgoing model. But make no mistake, Propain doesn’t want the new Hugene to be misconstrued as a “downcountry bike.” With updated geometry and robust build specs, the brand is very deliberately positioning the Hugene as its agile, efficient, and playful short-travel trail ripper.
Propain Hugene Details
Propain’s bikes have a very distinctive look with a unique suspension design and silhouette that makes them easy to identify. That carries over to the new Hugene, and although the frame looks nearly identical to its predecessor, the brand claims it has a “completely new design.” The frames are crafted from the brand’s Blend Carbon using prepreg high-modulus carbon fiber. All Hugenes roll on 29-inch wheels front and rear, and claimed weights start at 14,2 kg (~31 lbs.).
The most obvious change is the reduction of travel, which has been decreased by 10 mm to 130 mm in the rear and intended to be paired with a 140 mm travel fork. Propain continues to use its unique PRO10 suspension design with dual links and a “floating shock.” The brand states that the kinematics have been slightly revised “with adjusted progression for sensitive response and balanced performance.”
Other frame updates include a new “Frame pocket” with an internal storage compartment in the downtube. Now you can stash your tools, accessories, and snacks in the frame, and there’s a bottle mount on the storage compartment door. Propain also provides flexible cable routing options. Those who aren’t vehemently opposed to through-headset routing can use it, but standard ports on the frame allow you to route cables internally in the more traditional way.
Highlights
- Completely new frame design & new colors (Aussie Dust, Violet Ash, Venom Black)
- Room for long dropper posts thanks to steep seat tube angle and low standover height – even in size S, a 200 mm Reverb AXS can be fully inserted
- Carbon fiber top linkage to minimize overall weight
- Flexible cable routing with multiple options (classic routing, standard ICR, and Sixpack ICR)
- New geometry with a modern trail focus: slack head angle (64.8°), steep seat angle (74.8°), low bottom bracket
- TPR seatstay and chainstay protector for reduced chain slap and less noise
- New, soft downtube protector
- Compatible with UDH standard and SRAM T-Type Transmission
- 148 mm Boost rear axle standard
- Classic post-mount interface for 180 mm brake rotors — no adapters required
- ISCG05 mount for chain guide/bash guard
- Exclusively stainless steel bearings and sealed Sixpack seat clamp
Propain Hugene Geometry
| Frame Size | Small | Medium | Large | Extra Large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame height | 390 | 410 | 430 | 460 |
| Fork ffset | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| Fork length | 555 | 555 | 555 | 555 |
| Head tube length | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 |
| Reach | 433 | 458 | 483 | 508 |
| Stack | 612 | 621 | 632 | 639 |
| Head angle | 64.8 | 64.8 | 64.8 | 64.8 |
| Seat angle – actual | 74.8 | 74.8 | 74.8 | 74.8 |
| Seat angle – effective | 77.5 | 77.5 | 77.5 | 77.5 |
| Top tube length | 569 | 597 | 623 | 651 |
| BB offset FW/RW | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Chainstay length | 445 | 445 | 445 | 445 |
| Wheelbase | 1197 | 1226 | 1255 | 1285 |
| Standover height* | 794 | 791 | 793 | 784 |
Propain Hugene: Builds and Pricing
In markets outside of North America, the new Hugene is available in four complete builds spanning a sizeable price range of 3.399€ to 8.149€. As with all Propain bikes, buyers have the option to customize nearly every aspect of the build in the brand’s online configurator. It can also be purchased as a frame only for 2.499€.
Hugene Factory: 8.149€
- Fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip X2 140 mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Factory
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR Di2 (1×12)
- Brakes: Shimano XTR 203 mm/ 203 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss EXC1200
- Tires: Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro Radial
- Seatpost: Fox Transfer Factory
- Bar: OneUp Carbon 35 mm rise
- Grips: Ergon GDH Team
- Stem: Sixpack Millenium 50 mm (Sixpack Integrated Cable Routing)
- Saddle: Ergon SM Enduro Comp
Hugene Ultimate: 6.424€
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 140 mm
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission (1×12)
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver 200 mm / 200 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss EX 1700
- Tires: Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro Radial
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
- Bar: OneUp Carbon 35 mm Rise
- Grips: Ergon GDH Team
- Stem: Sixpack Millenium 45 mm (Classic Internal Cable Routing)
- Saddle: Ergon SM Enduro Comp
Hugene Bomber: 4.849€
- Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z1 140mm
- Shock: Marzocchi Bomber Air
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT (1×12)
- Brakes: Shimano XT 203 mm/ 203 mm
- Wheels: NEWMEN Beskar 30 Base/Light
- Tires: Continental Kryptotal Enduro
- Seatpost: OneUp V3
- Bar: Sixpack Millenium 805 30 mm rise
- Grips: Ergon GDH Team
- Stem: Sixpack Millenium 45 mm (Classic Internal Cable Routing)
- Saddle: Ergon SM Enduro Comp
Propain Hugene Base: 3.399€
- Fork: RockShox Psylo Gold RC 140mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission (1×12)
- Brakes: SRAM DB8 200 mm/ 200 mm
- Wheels: NEWMEN Performance 30 Base
- Tires: Continental Kryptotal Enduro
- Seatpost: Sixpack Kamikaze (Rigid)
- Bar: Sixpack Millenium 805 30 mm rise
- Grips: Sixpack S-Trix
- Stem: Sixpack Vertic 50 mm (Classic Internal Cable Routing)
- Saddle: Sixpack Kamikaze
Propain Hugene: North American Builds
In North America, Propain is offering the Hugene in two complete Signature Specs or as a frame only for $2,749.
Signature Spec 2: $5,299
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 140 mm
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission (1×12)
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver 200 mm / 200 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss M 1900
- Tires: Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro Radial
- Seatpost: OneUp V3
- Bar: OneUp Carbon 35 mm Rise
- Grips: Ergon GDH Team
- Stem: Sixpack Vertic 50 mm (Classic Internal Cable Routing)
- Saddle: Ergon SM Enduro Comp
Signature Spec 1: $3,999
- Fork: RockShox Pike Select 140 mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select
- Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission (1×12)
- Brakes: SRAM DB8 200 mm / 200 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss M 1900
- Tires: Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro Radial
- Seatpost: OneUp V3
- Bar: Sixpack Millenium 805 30 mm rise
- Grips: Sixpack S-Trix
- Stem: Sixpack Vertic 50 mm (Classic Internal Cable Routing)
- Saddle: Sixpack Kamikaze
Propain Hugene: Availability
The latest Propain Hugene bikes are available to order now worldwide. Bikes will reportedly begin shipping in North America starting in mid- August, and at the end of August in other markets. We’re hoping to get our hands on a test bike once they become available, but until then, check out the brand’s website for more info or to get one for yourself.
