Morewood XC/Marathon Prototype

[GoLefty!!]

I posted this to the Warthogs earlier today but I am so excited about this bike that I feel I need to share it with an even wider audience.

Bare in mind we are taking about a prototype bike that may still have a bit of additional development before it goes into production.

 

 

"Some days, you hear a voice, taking you to another place,..." or so the lyrics goes.

 

Receiving

an invite to sample something totally new is both an honor and a privilege. It happened to me a few times in the past; the launch of an

F1 car, touching a MiG at Waterkloof way back in '98, a new Maserati,

and even a pals new born baby boy. So I knew that Tuesday 16th June was

going to be something special.

 

 

I had a date with  a sexy little minx from Pietermaritzberg. When I

arrived she was already kitted out and ready to roll. Looking awfully

sexy in her satin red attire with a sort of pearlescent finish, she was

certainly a looker. The curves on her lithe little body really hid her

size large frame beautifully, sort of like a 6foot tall ramp model,

minus the drugs of course.

 

The rest of her kit was pretty special too. Her stoppers were

completely new Formula R1s her suspenders were RS SID and Fox RP23,

drivetrain consisted of ControlTech 44x29 chainset mated to SRAM's

current finest X.0 gripshift driven gearing system.

 

 

William of Williams Bike Shop and Andre of Rush Sports briefed the lucky riders on her

attributes. Never was it mentioned how she would perform. I moved to

pick her up and she jumped into my hands like a prima ballerina. Her

balance was impeccable. Never before had I picked up a non Lefty

wearing ride that was this perfectly balanced front to rear. First

impressions last they say. Light too.... a sliver over 10Kg for a size

large is no mean feat and with pedals she was in the mid 10's. Another

good impression.

 

 

We headed off and I watched Dan reigning her in with ease but he

seemed to find his dancing shoes very quickly. Within just a few pedal

strokes he was racing up the hill, with seemingly Saturn V ferocity.

I

noted that her steps were very sure. She rode the little bumps beautifully, no rear end bounce anywhere in sight and the big ones seemed to simply fall at her feet. That

was special to watch because only a professional ballerina could dance

like that. She must be Russian I thought....

 

 

Then it was my turn to play lead dancer. I stepped on the crankbros

pedals and we were away. In no time Andre and I had opened a gap on the

rest of the troup. She climbed with an urgency thats not apparent on many bikes. I could name those bikes but that would p*ss a few people off. Then it was into the singletrack.

 

Now bearing

in mind that she is a little taller than I should be riding, she

handled the singletrack climb with poise that I have not experienced

before. Thats saying a lot because I am a devoted to one and only one.

In climbing she was a match for my lady, in fact on certain areas

of the course I'd have to say she has the legs on my lady but only just.

When we hit the rock gardens the more linear rate on her rear end simply soaked the bumps and released with ease, total control. No bounce again.

 

 

When the trail  turned downward I thought I was going to suffer on her

large frame but she cradled me with the warm inviting hands of a woman

in love. Some perspective here, Dan was keeping up on my lady and he

was enjoying the sharpness and precision with which she turned and how

she handled the bumps with ease, but i was not holding him up. The

initial balance that I had felt back at the start of the trip was now

very evident and very useful.

 

 

The

new MOREWOOD Marathon Prototype is one awesome awesome awesome bike.

In

fact it's so good, I asked Andre to convey my request to Patrick Morewood that

they change nothing. Well there is one little change to geometry coming

but thats going to be positive in smaller sizes and perhaps a few other

little changes that will future proof her as well as add a huge degree

of adjustability is being considered after this mornings ride. Not

certain for inclusion for production but being considered, that s good

enough for now.

 

 

So we've seen the pictures and it sparked some controversy. Now a

few good men and I have ridden her and we conclude this bike is going

to be a winner.

 

The attendees brought with them an array of the best XC/Marathon bikes

available at the moment; Cannondale Scalpel, Ellsworth Truth, BMC 4

Shot, Morewood Shova ST, Giant Anthem. The verdict was unanimous.

It's

got balance, there s a distinct lack of weight, she's stiff, she's

supple (suspension), she's South African. Perhaps you thought I had a

date with Charlize Theron? Nooit china, this Morewood is way classier,

more real. No doubt she will be christened with an isiZulu name and I

wait with extreme eagerness to see if some of the discussed ideas find

their way onto the new bike.

 

 

In closing, if you want a new bike for next years race season, or just a

new bike for whatever, the new Morewood XC Marathon is going to be WELL

WORTH the WAIT. I certainly would not be making the mistake of being

tempted to buy anything new till this bike hits the shop floors. I

suggest you call William and place an order with a small deposit. There

are already 40 people on that waiting list in SA alone... Best you get

on that list before the number doubles!

 

 

I gave it a 5 flaming chillies on a scale of 5 + 1 for being simply utterly brilliant!

 

Damn

I am in a dilemna. I can't afford it nor do I need a new bike in a hurry

but a Gloss Black Morewood with the Zulu geometric designs on the top

tube is really calling my name. When I do go for it, it will be the

first major band change for me in over 10yrs. Thats how good I think

this bike is...

 

This is my review and I stand by it.

 

[dirtrider]

Did we expect anything less ?

[GoLefty!!]

 

 

I can see why this bike has taken so long to be produced.

 

its perfect.

 

[dirtrider]

I am saving .

[GoLefty!!]

well worth the effort trust me.

 

I am seriosly considering the switch.

 

Handmade in SA

 

Awesome handling

 

I really am struggling to find fault with any detail as it is now. And theres still improvements to come!

 

[felt cg]

GoLefty

 

Any comments/opinions compared to the SC Superlight.

[Thug]

Excellent review!!

 

It certainly sounds like a bike worth waiting for.

 

Well done Morewood !!

 

[Hog_]

No pictures means it didn't happen!

 

 

 

[GoLefty!!]

well it was one of those thou shalt not photograph anything at this point in time sessions.

 

William took some pics though so mail him for copies.

 

 

Felt,

 

comparisons are pretty subjective because different people like different things but one aspect of the bike I liked a lot more than the SC Superlight is that its pitch control is better and it rides the bumps far less harshly.\Remember this bike was too big for me in principal and was set up for a heavier rider so I have every reason to believe that if a badly set up bike rides this well, then a properly set up bike is going to be nirvana.

 

[perp]

nice, well done guys.

[GoLefty!!]

spread the word 

[Matchstix]

I dont like full sus bikes but after reading that I also want a ballerina

[_bob_]

No rumours floating around as to when it might go into production?

[GoLefty!!]

December 2009. it will be available in time for Christmas and the bulk of training requirements for Sani2C.

 

THere is already a waiting list and I am told that international orders are already coming in.

 

 

 

[Flea]

what are the proposed prices - don't know the Morewood pricing strategy

Elsworth, Spez, GT, Raleigh, Mongoose, Raleigh, Dunlop?

[Tridude]

Anyone knows who we can contact to place an order?