Ard Rock is the biggest open race event in the country. Welcoming thousands of riders to put in their best times over seven of the finest stages that the Yorkshire Dales has to offer, there’s a fantastic opportunity for brands to show their wares at the expo that serves as the base for the event. We headed to the event to hunt down the coolest bikes and tech on display.
Production Privee Shan GT
Andorran brand, Production Privee, draws inspiration from the world of motorsport, and with the Shan GT pictured here, The Rider Firm’s Andi Sykes has leaned fully into the theme.
This steel-framed machine can run 29in or 650b+ wheels with a 140mm up to 160mm fork and has space for a 2.8in tyre. However, what’s interesting is that Production Privee takes advantage of steel compliance and boosts it using its KTP Flex System. KTP is the clever addition of a yoke that increases tyre clearance while encouraging vertical flex for more comfort and grip.
With a Beluga Black paint job, a colour usually reserved for Bentleys, Andi has refurbed the Ohlins fork in the very same paint. On top of that, to add to the motorsport theme, there’s a set of Pirelli’s Scorpion Enduro Race tyres. But there’s a cool secret hidden here and that’s the HXR Easy Shift crankset that allows for slick shifting even when the rider isn’t pedalling.
Dawley T16
I’ve only ogled at Dawley’s T16 through the window that is social media but seeing the bike in the flesh is the only real way to get a feel of the craftmanship that goes into each weld. Like many steel frames, the T16 is a simple but attractive bit of kit built using Reynolds tubing.
This bike runs 115mm of travel at the rear wheel but interestingly, rather than a DU bushing, Thom Dawley has built the bike with Enduro Bearings’ Shock Needle bearings – so while it has relatively little travel, it should be super supple. The T16 has been assembled with a suspension kinematic that’s 35% progressive and it’s built with all of the mod-cons, including a UDH hanger. Dawley provides six sizes to pick from and a custom build option where customers can pick their reach, seat tube length, and wheel size.
Greg Minnaar’s Santa Cruz V10
Although the South African is now racing for Norco, the GOAT of downhill is best known for his lengthy stint at the Santa Cruz Syndicate team. Parked at Burgtec’s stand, there’s nothing too out of the ordinary on this downhill bike other than neat ‘Minnaar’ details and Burgtec’s latest Penthouse MK5 pedals on display.
Amaury Pierron’s Commencal Supreme V5
Burgtec’s stand was rife with big names as the brand displays a Commencal Supreme V5 ridden by one of the most exciting names on the circuit.
Donning Fox’s Podium model of the 40 dual crown fork, First Ride versions of Schwalbe’s Tacky Chan tyres and SRAM’s Maven brakes, it’s bang up to date. However, the interesting feature here lies within the sheer amount of adjustability built in. Designed in collaboration with Amaury, the Supreme V5 provides head angle and bottom bracket adjustment as well as adjustment of the rear progression of the suspension. Riders can also choose between three chainstay lengths.
Additionally, the Supreme V5 comes with three bridges that tune the flex, or compliance of the rear end.
Cannondale’s Moterra SL Lab71
Lab71 is Cannondale’s no-holds-barred division where bikes get seriously blingy builds and painstakingly special paint jobs for those happy to spend. On display, Cannondale was showing off its latest e-bike, the Moterra SL in that very build and it’s a real looker.
Although we’re told that the brand is looking towards giving its Lab71 bikes special carbon layups to shed weight while retaining strength, Cannondale has gone all out with the build kit and its colourway is a sight to behold.
The Lab71 Moterra SL dons a combination of matte and gloss paint but along the top tube is where the magic happens as it’s coated in a gloss black, then treated to a secondary coat of pearlescent gold. While the gold is still wet, the painter carefully blasts it with compressed air to give it that drip effect. It’s a great-looking bike, without a doubt, but it’ll set you back £12,500.
Cannondale’s downhill prototype
Alright, we’re a bit late to the party on this one as this bike has been around since 2019 but it made headlines once again when Josh Bryceland brought it out of retirement for Red Bull Hardline 2024 upon request for a bike with more travel than the Jekyll.
In fact, this bike has an interesting history as it leads to the Jekyll that we know and love today but its many shock mounts make it a very typical ‘Cannondale’. With its three mounts, Cannondale was testing several shock arrangements, including one that run two shocks in tandem, one coil, and the other air. One was set to merely act as the spring whereas the other was responsible for all of the adjustments.
Even though it’s still seeing time between the tapes today, it’s still being used to prototype Cannondales wild ideas for bikes to come and some features have made their way onto the Jekyll.
The Fox Purevue goggles
Love or hate them, Fox looks primed to set trends once again with the goggles that combine the best of both worlds, the breathability and lightweight of regular riding glasses with the security and protection of goggles.
Interestingly, in the flesh, they look much larger than I expected but they certainly don’t look out of place when paired with the Speedframe helmet. Whether or not these will stick around and gain traction, we’re yet to find out but hopefully, we’ll have a sample to test very soon.
Fabio Wibmer’s Stiched CFR Trial
As the rider who inspired the bike, it makes sense for Fabio to have his own special colourway on the Stitched CFR Trial, right?
Magura’s Gustav brakes
Last but not least, we got an eye on Magura’s latest Gustav brakes. Named after Magura’s founder, the Gustav is the brand’s new flagship brake system that offers later braking points, less arm pump and more power, much like SRAM’s Maven.
The brake and caliper setup utilises fat 2.5mm thick rotors for modulation and all-out consistency. With that, the brake pads have 40 per cent more volume to help minimise maintenance.