2013 looks set to be the year 650b wheels break through, with several big downhill teams rumoured to be using them this season. They may not be as fast-rolling as 29er hoops but they’re stronger, accelerate faster and are easier to fit into long-travel frames. There’s one other big advantage too – 650b bikes are a lot better looking than often-ungainly 29ers! Exhibit A: the Saracen Kili Flyer.
When this bike was unveiled at the London Bike Show it was difficult to look past the Yeti-esque colours but in frame-only Kili Flyer X mode this thing looks mean as hell! And unlike a lot of other 650b bikes we’ve seen, this isn’t a prototype – it’s available now. The frame costs £1,400, with the complete bike coming in at £2,800. Check out the photos to find out more.
The Kili Flyer is Saracen’s first 650b bike but we don’t reckon it’ll be their last. While we’re in Mystic Meg mode, the UK company have added a carbon rear end to their Myst downhill bike, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see the black stuff cropping up elsewhere in the range in 2014. Watch this space…
More info at www.saracen.co.uk.