Taking a very particular approach to solve some of the issues that arise out of alpine riding, Bionicon have released the Edison Evo a further refinement of their variable travel and geometry approach to bike design.
The idea behind the engineering is that a bike should be able to climb well and descend with equal efficiency. If you think about typical non lift assist alpine riding, where two hour plus fire road climbs are possible before you point your bike downhill for a nice long descent it’s easy to come to terms with what Bionicon are aiming to achieve: A bike where climb mode equates to a steeper head angle and shorter travel (like a mountain goat) and descend mode slackens the front off and increases travel. Simples hey?
All this is achieved via a neat little thumb switch that sits on the handlebar and allows adjustment of the customised Magura built shock and X Fusion Metric fork up front. The Edison Evo sees a move into single crown forks where previous models used a triple clamp.
The great thing about the system is that it isn’t binary, but offers infinite adjustment between it’s 64° headangle/180mm mode and 69°/140mm at the other end of it’s travel spectrum.
With a bit of practice, subtle body movement and weight shifts on the bike it’s possible to fine tune the stance on the bike on the fly. With the opportunity to ride the bike around the not so alpine environment of Cannock Chase, our Richard was soon pedalling and adjusting as he rode along, depending on what the trail ahead was offering up in the way of challenge.
With a 1 x11 X01 drivetrain, KS Lev dropper, DT Swiss Spline wheelset and SRAM Guide brakes the Edison Evo is available for what seems like a very reasonable €3600. According to Roger from Bionicon it weighs in at ‘around 33lb’. A 160mm model is also offered.
Optional extras include Bionicon’s B-Labs Oval chainring and C-Guide.
Like the bike but don’t want the customised shocks? The Edison Evo is also available as a frame only option too. More information at Bionicon
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Cabletastic!!
Nearly now then, just need to sort the paint job out
There’s a grey version too…..
Two paintjobs in one too, unfortunately
What? Evo in the name? Brave – pretty sure Spesh will be seeing them in court seeing as they seem to be able to trademark place names, expressions and the smell from my burps.
What is this EVO? Empire and Orange have done it with frames, Hope too in hubs, 661 in protection, Spank in wheels and bars, Ergon with grips and pedals, Schwalbe tyres – have I missed an Evolution or is it just like the Y2K effect at the end of last millennium?
Angry man.
Am i the only person that can’t really see any benefit from being able to change travel by 30mm? It’s not like it’s going to suddenly turn your 30lb, chunk tyred, slack angled, wide barred, heavy wheeled AM bike into a 22lb hardtail race weapon now is it?
@maxtorque
Your well off the concept of a Bionicon. It climbs like a goat and descends like a wolf. Seen them & tried them, two bikes in one. Especially when you build these Enduro or Alpine bikes that are gravity orientated, but a compromise on the up’s as the nose keeps lifting / wandering and your loosing time as a result.