Adrian Carter

12th December 2023

RC429 

The new RC429 is a North Yorkshire-bred down country, rowdy-Reynolds steel hardtail

Celebrating our 37th year of building hardtails here's the SRAM T-Type Downcountry mode, activated for a rowdy Christmas in a lightweight DT Swiss specification.

Why the new SRAM T-Type? Well the new era of gearing from SRAM technology is super strong and has highly efficient bluetooth electronic shifting. The X-Sync tooth profile keeps the chain and cassette engaged throughout the shift, reducing wear on cassette teeth and chain links for radically improved longevity. SRAM's tucked the battery mount out of harm's way, made the whole transmission rebuildable to keep working season after season and its new hanger-less interface centers the drivetrain around the rear axle and works great with our new RC429 dropout design. This increases strength and helps to absorb typical trail impacts with the overload clutch instantly disengaging the derailleur's motor.

We then opted for a DT Swiss F 232 ONE fork on this downcountry build, boosted 29" with 120mm travel which brings the geometry up into full Progressive mode with a 65.5 degree head angle coupled to a steeper 75.5 degree head angle.

Matched with DT Swiss XM421 29" rims custom built by Pace in house onto Hope Pro 5 boosted hubs and DT Swiss spokes. The RC429 will take up-to 2.6" tyres front and back, on the Downcountry build we opted to roll on super fast Ikon 2.35 tyres.

DT Swiss has specifically developed the D 232 ONE dropper post for XC… it's super light, reliable and easy to maintain thanks to UPSIDEDROP technology and works really well loaded up with a saddle bag for those adventure days. Or we can swop out for a Bike Yoke Revive dropper if you're wanting full drop.

Our interpretation of a downcountry bike is that when you reach your destination you want to be able to ride rad terrain. The geometry and design of the RC429 allows you to do just that but in a short travel design envelope.
We wanted an XC feel, but we didn't want to step back in time to old school geometry just for that XC feel…XC has changed and we wanted to reap the benefits of a modern geometry XC design even when you're riding it down-country.

One of the many variations of the new RC429...

Pre-order opening next week with full technical portfolio.

Delivery beginning of March 2024.