Eurobike 2012: Bergamont Fastlane, Transition Covert Special Report

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EUROBIKE 2012 – BERGAMONT Fastlane and TRANSITION Covert 29 Special Report: by c_g
OK, Eurobike and Interbike are long over, but we are still collecting the loose ends. With BERGAMONT which is part of the BMC group, making their push into the US market, and TRNASITION being a US brand anyways – here is my last post for TNI-USA on Eurobike´12.

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Bergamont Fastlane MGN



Fresh for 2013 is the Fastlane, BERGAMONTs first 29″er full suspension bike and squarely aimed at marathon and XC racing – just like the Revox which we hold in high esteem as our hard tail long term testing platform (tested here). Still with its edgy, sportive looks, the tapered head tube and the PF92 Press-Fit bottom bracket.



New on the Fastlane are the internal routing and the 142/12 mm thru axle in the single pivot full carbon rear end (100 mm of travel and even the rocker link is made of carbon). Be sure that the Fastlane is going to be a lightweight racer.



There will be 3 models coming: The Fastlane MGN („Mehr Geht Nicht“ or „more goes not“ ) at the top, followed by the blue/white Fastlane Team – both with REYNOLDS Al wheels and 2×10 SRAM gearing – and the Fastlane 9.3 with the identical frame but a 3×10 XT-drive train.



Fastlane Team


Geometry

To the left here we have a look at the Fastlane Team model and a geometry chart, (below), to check out. (Click any image to see it in larger size.) Keep in mind that as we found out at the BMC Kickoff party at Interbike, Bergamont will now be seeking dealers and selling through its current BMC dealers in the United States.
As of now we have no idea exactly when Bergamont bikes will arrive in the U.S., we just know that they will. BMC said they should be in shops sometime in 2013. We will follow up with more concrete information when we get it.

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Last year new to the 29″er game with their Bandit two9 and TransAm two9, TRANSITION BIKES now presents their all time best seller Covert in 29″er format for 2013.


Transition Bikes Covert 29




With its 140 mm of travel it is designed for aggressive Trail and All-Mountain riding with a glimpse at Enduro as well. As usual for TRANSITION the Covert is no weight weenie bike (3.5 kg or 7.8 lbs) but burly and strong – sure to last and endure your riding for a long time. Of course it features ISG05 mounts on the BSA bottom bracket and the interchangeable through axle rear.



By the huge bearings and strong linkage, it is said to bring even more stiffness to the table than the Bandit 29.
If the new Covert has an equally great handling as did the TransAm 29, which we have ridden earlier this year (here), then the Covert is sure to be a great performer.
There will be different complete bikes and a frames set offered – with three color choices for the frame.

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Transition Bandit 29


With the Covert appearing it was clear the Bandit 29 was getting competition within and so it got revised and received a reduced travel of 120 mm for 2013. … again in different complete bike versions, a frame.only option and in three cool colors.

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TRANSITION TransAm 29


I also like the new black/white paint scheme of the ´13er TransAm 29 – which to me looked a bit NASCAR- inspired.
This concludes the EUROBIKE coverage for TNI USA

RIDE ON,
c_g


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