In a shock (to us) move, British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph are releasing a hardtail mountain bike, and it’s actually well specced. It’s not a motorbike, it’s not even an ebike, but an entirely leg-powered machine.
When an automotive company launch a mountain bike, it’s not usually an encouraging prospect for most of us, and there’s a reason we don’t tend to write about them. Often, they’re token efforts designed around a few retro standards, no-name cheese componentry, a shock that would be more at home in a Citroen 2CV, then a cheap frame with a sports car brand slapped on the side. As a result, they seem to end up relegated to a dimply lit part of the car showroom, or eBay.
Not so with Triumph though. Limited to a run of only 500, the Triumph XCX appears to have been designed by someone who knows what they’re doing, with an assortment of brands hanging off it (Kenda, Formula, Rockshox, Shimano, WTB, FSA). Encouragingly, that would seem to suggest the components were individually selected, rather than doing a massive OEM deal for everything with a single vendor or distributor.
Update: UK Pricing is set at £800 including VAT.
Full release and specs from Triumph:
“We are pleased to introduce the all-new 2018 Triumph XCX Mountain Bike, an exclusive, limited edition run of 500 high specification all-terrain bicycles, built to take you everywhere.
“Available from January 2018 the new Triumph XCX Mountain bike features a custom 6061 lightweight hard tail aluminium frame, in 15”, 17” or 19” frame sizes, with full internal cable and hose routing, offering nimble, precise handling in all conditions with a clean, understated look.
“Finished in a stealth matt black and silver colour scheme, the XCX Mountain Bike is the perfect balance of specification and style, featuring the race-proven Rockshox XC30 suspension fork, packed full of legendary Rockshox technology and boasting an ample 100mm of travel.
“Added to this comes the new Shimano M7000 SLX 11 speed drivetrain, including new Shadow RD SLX 11 speed derailleur, HG Cassette sprocket and RAPIDFIRE Plus shift lever, with integrated gear indicator for effective gear selection every time.
Combine these with the new FSA Comet Megaexo crankset and bottom bracket, and the inclusion of a KMC X11 chain, to ensure the durability of the XCX drivetrain isn’t compromised, no matter what the terrain, and this really is a bike designed to be used.
“Brakes are supplied courtesy of Shimano, utilising M315 hydraulic callipers front and rear with Shimano 180/160mm discs, for firm, assured stopping power.
“The acclaimed 142mm WTB Volt Race saddle also ensures riders benefit from an award winning level of comfort as part of the standard equipment.
“Custom Triumph branded Velo lock-on grips are mated to 6061 Aluminium, 720mm wide handlebars and an aluminium oversized stem for precise, comfortable control and minimal weight .
“Grip is supplied by 27.5” (650b) Kenda Slant 6 tyres, mounted onto lightweight Alex AJ2 rims with Shimano & Formula hubs, laced with stainless steel spokes, which are finished in black.”
Specifications and pricing are as follows, and also available on the Truimph website:
- Frame: The Triumph XCX Mountain bike features a Custom 6061 aluminium frame with tapered head tube, internal cable routing and replaceable aluminium hanger. Finished in Matt Black with Silver and Red XCX detailing and a white iconic Triumph logo to front
- Forks: Rockshox FS XC30 1 1/8” 100mm Suspension Forks with Crown Lockout/Preload Adjustment
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX Shadow SL-M70011GS 11 Speed
- Shifter: Shimano SLX SL-M700011R 11 Speed with Gear Indicator
- Brakes: Shimano M315 Hydraulic Brake Callipers F&R Shimano ASMRT10M/S 180/160mm Brake Rotors
- Crankset: FSA Comet Modular Direct Mount MegaEXO 2 piece with 32T single chain ring
- Bottom Bracket: FSA BB 7100 V Drive Mega EXO Bottom Bracket
- Handlebar & Grips: Alloy 6061 Blasted Black 720mm wide bars with 90 rise Custom Velo VLG-884 grips with laser etched Triumph logos
- Handlebar Stem: Alloy 6061 Blasted Black oversize 31.8mm stem. ( +/- 70) 70/80/90mm Length – dependant on frame size
- Pedals: Wellgo VPE-465 one piece alloy bodied
- Seatpost & Clamp: Alloy 6061 Blasted Black oversize 31.6mm tune with QR alloy clamp
- Seat: WTB Volt Sport 142mm
- Front Hub: Formula CL51 Quick Release
- Rear Hub: Shimano AFHM7000BZB Quick Release
- Chain: KMC XC11-1 112 Link
- Cassette: Shimano SLX KCS-M7000142 11 Speed 11-42T
- Spokes: Stainless Black 14G
- Rims: 27.5” Alex AJ2 Aluminium Rims with custom XCX branding
- Tyres: Kenda Slant Six 27.5 x 21.0 Tyres with Kenda Tubes.
Comments (19)
Comments Closed
In the 1950s they used to advertise the Triumph bicycle as being really tough by dropping one out of a helicopter.
Wonder how this one would fare?
at the bottom of the web page:
*TRIUMPH XCX MOUNTAIN BIKE IS NOT TO BE SOLD IN GERMANY*
Take that you Germans – I bet you’re gutted.
“… featuring the race-proven Rockshox XC30 suspension fork, packed full of legendary Rockshox technology… ”
Oh dear…
Lowest level rs fork, lowest level Shimano brakes, labelled cheapo frame, crappy wheels, drivetrain seems alright… Should be sub-600€. But hey, it’s limited. I guess they’ll sell it for 1500€…
“a shock that would be more at home in a Citroen 2CV”
*pushes NHS spectacles up nose* Actually, the 2CV suspension was pretty sophisticated for its time…
growing up dad had a beautifl Triumph gents bike with sturmy archer 3 speed. It was a gorgeous metalic blue, which sadly when we eventually moved home I was not yet big enough to ride it so it ended up at the tip, I can only hope someone picked it up for a proper resoration! not that much needed doing beyond a good polish. I bet this will not stand the test of time as well!
Well lets hope this is the start of something great. They should of course partner up with Hope 🙂
“Tyres: Kenda Slant Six 27.5 x 21.0 Tyres with Kenda Tubes.”
Thats a helluva fat tyre!
“high specification”
they never learn do they. PR people push this stuff at an audience who understand a market and wonder why it’s scoffed at.
Seems okay to me. High specification depends entirely on what price they come in at. Sub £800 and it’s looking okay. Over £1k and it’s looking decidedly iffy. Let’s bear in mind that their target market isn’t serious bikers anyway. It’ll Triumphistas looking to grab their own piece of posterity..
Have to say that the SLX drivetrain is a bit out of place with everything else..
Encouraging. If you’d told me Triumph were looking to launch a decent MTB and I were a marketing man, I’d have pitched it in association with their Scrambler motorbikes, steel frame in classic colours and detail. Good effort though.
Not to be sold in Germany? Too may Steve McQueen wannabe’s looking to launch them over the barbed wire fences?
more chrome please
That’s an £800 bike elsewhere. what’s the bet it will be closer to £2k?
Just had pricing through, it’s £800.
Is Triumph producing an MTB given that Steve Day (24hr champ) is one of their lead engineers.
Oh Jesus that made no sense, I meant to say is it that surprising that…
“Should be sub 600E?”
I’d be interested in knowing which model, I thought this was pretty good for £800…
My first mountain bike back in ’94 was a Lotus XTR rigid. Yep full 24 speed XTR. Cost me £250.
I have one of theses and its a very nice bike light and nimble, the only thing i might change is the tyres, the kenda tyres fitted are terrible in the wet and muddy conditions we currently have. Other than that very happy with the bike 🙂