Transalpes relies on the 650b Map

Until now, the Swiss bike manufacturer Transalpes has positioned itself as a direct supplier. For the 2013 season, the Zwillikon-based bike manufacturer wants to involve specialist retailers more closely and equip them with framesets for 26, 27.5 and 29-inch bikes. For the 27.5-inch or 650b format, the manufacturer is going all out and offering four bikes for this purpose.

The company Trail Supply, the accessories offshoot of the Swiss bike manufacturer, has already reached the heart of the Swiss specialist trade with its Kind Shock dropper seatposts and custom-made wheels with Notubes rims. But Stefan Gruber, Managing Director of Trail Supply, wants to achieve even more in cooperation with specialist retailers: he now offers them all Transalpes frame and frame sets. This portfolio now comprises eight vehicle lines for the 26 and 29 inch and 650b wheel sizes that are popular today.

Broad 650b range
The 26-inch marathon and all-mountain fullys equipped with the adjustable "Mojo" seat dome are already well established - and Transalpes is also well positioned in the 29er range with a suspension-rich full and hardtail. Stefan Gruber is expanding the range for the 650b segment: Transalpes is offering four 650b models for the 2013 bike season: A carbon hardtail, an all-mountain bike with 130-150 millimeters of travel, a Big Mountain version with 160-180 millimeters of travel and, for the female biker, a version called "Diva 650B" with 150mm of travel at the front and rear. "Some major bike manufacturers are still giving the 650b wheel size a wide berth for the 2013 model year. For us, this is an opportunity to push forward into this area with innovative bikes," Gruber tells Ride.

Involving the specialist trade
Specialist retailers were already able to order the 29er frames from Transalpes. For the 2013 season, the manufacturer is extending this option to all vehicles. The specialist dealer can order the frames individually or add a Rock Shox fork, an Acros headset and a wheelset with Notubes rims to the frame set. The further component specification and the assembly of the bike is then a matter for the specialist dealer. Transalpes is providing pre-order introductory prices for this offer until October 31, 2012.

Gruber also points out that his bikes can be individually labeled. Availability is already very good for the 26- and 29-inch bikes, while the first deliveries of the 650b bikes are expected at around the end of March or beginning of April 2013.

www.transalpes.com