Press Release
The Shale is our take on a modern enduro machine—capable, confident, and ready for whatever the trail throws at it.
Sharing the same proven suspension platform as our Link E-bike, it’s built for riders who want a bike that feels stable at speed, efficient on the climbs, and controlled in the rough. Its progressive geometry strikes a balance between confidence and agility, with a slack head angle that keeps things steady on steep descents, a steep seat tube that positions you efficiently for climbing, and a moderately low bottom bracket that helps the bike feel planted without losing responsiveness.
A flip chip allows you to switch between a mullet or full 29” setup, letting you fine-tune the ride to match your style. The progressive suspension design ensures small bump sensitivity while still providing the support needed for hard hits and big landings. Standard-size sealed bearings throughout make maintenance straightforward, so you can spend more time riding and less time in the workshop.
Design
Concept:
The idea behind this frame was to create an enduro bike with a similar feel to our E-bike but with slightly more aggressive geometry and added adjustability.
Linkage Design:
We designed an optimised rocker linkage to save weight specifically for the enduro platform. The frame uses an unbridged seat stay design, so a stiff rocker link is critical.
By using a more contoured design and thinning the wall profiles, we found a good balance between stiffness and overall frame weight.
Geometry and Flip Chip:
We experimented with the geometry on this frame to land on something that feels both versatile and modern. The goal was a long, low, and slack setup that is super stable but still holds its own when the trail gets tighter.
Initially, the flip chip was intended purely as a geometry adjustment. But with the growing popularity of mullet setups, we adapted it to function more as a wheel size correction. So, if you swap out the rear wheel size, you simply flip the chip and maintain mostly consistent geometry.
Features
Flip Chip Versatility
Easily switch between a mullet or full 29” setup to dial in the ride feel that suits you best.
Progressive Suspension Design
We have used a progressive leverage curve to deliver plush small bump sensitivity while keeping mid-stroke support and big-hit confidence.
Dialed Enduro Geometry
A slack head angle, steep seat tube, and moderately low BB create the perfect balance between stability, efficiency, and playfulness.
Specifications
| Frame | Alloy 29” Boost, 160mm travel, UDH hanger, Internal Cable Routing, Compatible Fork: 170mm 44mm offset |
| Wheel size | 29” or Mullet |
| Rear Shock | Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ 205 x 62.5mm |
| Headset | FSA No.57 |
| Seat Post Clamp | Outer 36.1mm |
| Rear Thru Axle | Outer Stealth |
| Frame Warranty | 5 Years |
| Weight | 4.5 kg (size Medium Including Shock, please allow for some deviation) |
| Price | R30 000 (includes RockShox Super Deluxe, FSA headset, thru-axle, chainstay protector, and hanger) |
Love too see it, been waiting for this to be released for a while. I'll start saving