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Balfa Cycles
Balfa,
out of Quebec, Canada, has been making bikes since 1990 and has typically
taken a different approsach to suspension designs. While other companies
are going full aluminum, Balfa stays true to their trademark aluminum
front triangle mated to a chromoly rear triangle. These Frenchies
sure know how to make killer bikes!
BB7 | Retail: $1,649 (frame only) | BB7
Bike Review
 The
BB7 continues to be the flagship model for Balfa and
remains mostly unchanged for 2003. Two new additions
to the frame will be introduced in 2003: the BB7's 9" of
travel is now mated to a Progressive 5th Element shock
and a floating brake caliper is now available. Overall
pedaling and braking performance will be improved even
more with the 5th Element shock and floating brake. The
BB7 flies!
2 Step DH | Retail: $1,499 (frame only)
 Balfa
is taking the 2 Step to a higher level this year by turning
the freeride machine into a full-fledged downhill rig.
This is achieved by moving the lower, front pivot just
behind the bottom bracket, thus increasing clearance
and overall travel. If the new 2 Step DH rides anything
like the BB7, this 7" travel DH bike will be a dream
to pedal and ride. The word is that it will go into production
for 2003 sometime in the Spring. This bike will be configurable
to accept a front deraileur or chainguide.
2 Step | Retail: $1,299 (frame only) Read
Review
 For
2003, the 2 Step continues as Balfa's go-anywhere, do-anything
bike. Set up with 6-inches of rear travel and beefy construction,
the 2 Step will satisfy all but the full-on DH riders.
The word is that the winner of the 100 Miles of Moab
won the thing riding a 2 Step with a Boxxer up front!
This bike can climb and descend with the best of them.
This is a true trailbike for those who love to go big.
Of note this year is that Balfa will no longer warranty
this bike with a triple crown fork.
For complete specs and details, visit Balfa.com.
To buy a Balfa bike, visit WrenchScience.com.
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Banshee
Bikes
B.C.-based Banshee
Bikes is coming onto the freeride scene with their tank-like bikes:
The Scream and Morphine. These frames will "never be the lightest
bike you own, it's probably gonna be the toughest," says Banshee.
After reading reviews of the Scream on NSMB.com,
this bike is the North Shore's equivalent of Shangri La. You can
beat the Scream to a bloody pulp and if you ever break it, a 10-year
warranty is in place to stand behind every drop, every huck and
every stunt you can hit.
SCREAM |
Retail: $3,199 w/Jr. T complete bike
 The
Scream boasts up to 8" of adjustable travel and enough beef
to keep you tracking downhill even when the going gets rougher
than you can handle. This near 13 lb. frameset is most likely
the burliest huck machine you'll ever own.
Morphine |
Retail: $2,079 w/DJ2 complete bike
The Morphine hardtail is like the Swiss Army knife of freeride hardtails. It
can be mated with any fork between 4" - 8" travel, single or double-crown.
On top of that, it can be run with dual 26", 24" x 26" or dual
24" wheels for a super burly dirt jumper.
For complete
specs and details, visit BansheeBikes.com
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Burro
Bikes
We first saw
the Burro Bikes at Interbike 2001. These funky-looking bikes are "true
mountain bikes for those who love to ride and explore." The
Burro, with its small rims, big, burly tires and odd shaped frames,
boast true "go anywhere" capability. Sand, snow, rock
beds... they're not a problem with this bike. If you find yourself
wanting to ride in the snow, this bike can plow through snow like
it wasn't even there, then when you get to the top, you can slip
the front wheel ski attachment and yeehaw.
 Truman
of Burro Bikes said this about the bikes, "The only thing
about the Burro Bikes that is tough is that everyone wants to stop
you on the trail to see what the bike is all about and if you don't
have a posse with Burros, it can be hard to keep up." Imagine
a world where all bikes were Burros. After being featured in the
July 2002 BIKE magazine, the Burros have grabbed more and more
attention, hopefully things catch on for 2003. All Burro bikes
are available directly from Burro.
Basic
Burro | Retail: $1,259 complete
The Basic Burro, like all burros features a 6061 aluminum frame in three sizes,
powder coated paint, disc brake mounts, two water bottle mounts, full-length
cable housing and standard mountain bike parts.
Disc
Burro | Retail: $1,999 complete
The Disc Burro includes disc brakes and a custom White Bros. suspension fork.
For complete
specs and details, visit BurroBikes.com
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Cannondale
Bikes
 Cannondale,
the innovater in the modern "freeride" market has really
hit it right on with the Gemini series of bikes. These frames offer
adjustable travel from 5", 6" and 7" with an allen
bolt. Honestly, the single-pivot design has been around for a long
time. It is tried and true, and has had some limitations, but with
proper tweaking and the right shock, a single-pivot design can
feel like some of the best 4-bar bikes out there. I was absolutely
amazed at the Romic-equipped Gemini at Interbike. It was by far
the most fun and best all-around bike I rode all day.
Oh yeah, Cedric
Gracia's Gemini was on display too, with a custom Fox shock that
looks just like the Avalanche.
Gemini
2000 | Retail: $ 3,499
 The
badboy of the line, the Gemini 2000 exudes speed and
drops. With 7" front and rear, Marzocchi Super T,
beefy wheelset, Romic twin-clicker shock and a trick
autumn leaves paintjob, this bike will climb with the
best of them, thanks to the Romic and it will descend
like a banshee!
Gemini
1000 | Retail: $ N/A
 The
1000 is the lightweight freeride specialist with a new
Lefty featuring 5" of travel and a lightweight package,
the Gemini 1000 is destined to become an epic trail bike
for all-day adventures.
Gemini
900 | Retail: $2,199 | Read Review
The Scream boasts up to 8" of adjustable travel and enough beef to keep
you tracking downhill even when the going gets rougher than you can handle.
This near 13 lb. frameset is most likely the burliest huck machine you'll ever
own.
For more info
and complete specs, visit Cannondale.com
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