Ti and alloy 24in mountain bikes for lucky kids or little grownups…
Though oriented more to the youth market, new brand Trailcraft’s lightweight 24ers look more than suitable for adults who otherwise would need to go custom. Built of 7005 tubing, the aluminium Pineridge 24 is hand built and features modern conveniences like post disc mounts and a threadless steerer. Chainstays are a tight 390mm -no allowance made for a kickstand- making weight shifts and lofting the front wheel easier than most kid-oriented models. Finishing off the package, Trailcraft’s own crankest is an appropriately-scaled 152mm long (but does resort to a square-taper bottom bracket).
The aluminium Pineridge 24 is available either as a frame/fork/crankset kit for $1,200 (£765) or as a rather nice bike at $1,700 (£1,085). 1,300g The complete bike’s Stan’s rims, lightweight Ashima rotors, and dual-compound Schwalbe tyres are all nice touches- as are the Shimano Deore drivetrain and brakes. Complete, the Trailcraft 24 weighs an enviable 21.8lb.
For those already working on beards, a Titanium Pineridge 24 is offered- and is more than a little lustworthy. The KGB-style dropouts, gently curved downtube, and multi-segment Ti fork might be lost on younger riders- but if nothing else should hold up well to the inevitable crashes. Between the lighter frame and foregone suspension fork (the alloy model’s 60mm RST is a no-cost option), the Ti model weighs a claimed 19lb without pedals. The Titanium Pineridge 24 runs $2,200 (£1,405) for the frame/fork/cranks, $2,700 (£1,725) complete. (Trailcraft suggest that an increased household chore regimen to offset the purchase price.)
