Prototype Steel Chromag Freeride/DH Bike from Whistler

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sspomer
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The drool level is off the charts with this one. Rick Schubert snagged some pics of this proto Chromag steel-front-triangle freeride beauty during the World Cup in Whistler. Simple, clean and quite the juxtaposition with the pairing of the garage-made welding vibe and high-tech wireless SRAM XX DH drivetrain. 

20260924 UCI DH WC-Whistler SR37463
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earleb
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9/29/2026 1:12pm

As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless welds. The pro that welded this really shouldn't be lumped in with garage level work. You hide "garage-made welding vibe " under paint designed to distract from looking at the welding, you put pro work like this on display in pure raw form. 

16
9/29/2026 2:27pm

That Chromag … all the way up! 

sspomer
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9/29/2026 2:39pm
earleb wrote:
As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless...

As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless welds. The pro that welded this really shouldn't be lumped in with garage level work. You hide "garage-made welding vibe " under paint designed to distract from looking at the welding, you put pro work like this on display in pure raw form. 

more than fair and in no way do i think this is a hack job! maybe "industrial" or "fabrication" aesthetic would better describe it compared to XX DH. the bike looks incredible.

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earleb
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9/29/2026 2:44pm
earleb wrote:
As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless...

As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless welds. The pro that welded this really shouldn't be lumped in with garage level work. You hide "garage-made welding vibe " under paint designed to distract from looking at the welding, you put pro work like this on display in pure raw form. 

sspomer wrote:
more than fair and in no way do i think this is a hack job! maybe "industrial" or "fabrication" aesthetic would better describe it compared to...

more than fair and in no way do i think this is a hack job! maybe "industrial" or "fabrication" aesthetic would better describe it compared to XX DH. the bike looks incredible.

I'd call it "flawless raw industrial fabrication vibes". 

1
ShapeThings
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Oakland, CA, USA
9/29/2026 3:36pm

I 100% would’ve bought one of their full-suspension bikes because they look so good (plus steel is underrated for full squish), but they prefer the low stack and longer reach to rear ratio. 

 

2
1
9/29/2026 4:36pm

Awesome looking frame and interesting dropouts! Anyone know the travel?

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Itsme
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9/29/2026 5:46pm

I would

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D(C)
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CA
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9/29/2026 10:56pm

Aluminum rear end, I think? Nice looking bike, for sure.

9/30/2026 12:12am

Ooooooh boy, that is one SICK bicycle. If I'd have to ride only this for gravity forever I'd be thankful every day.

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GumptionZA
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Caerphilly, GB
9/30/2026 6:48am
earleb wrote:
As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless...

As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless welds. The pro that welded this really shouldn't be lumped in with garage level work. You hide "garage-made welding vibe " under paint designed to distract from looking at the welding, you put pro work like this on display in pure raw form. 

The garage game has changed big time. Getting parts 3d printed or cnc'd is far easier than fully fabricating all the complex parts of your frame nowadays 

1
pau668
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USA
9/30/2026 9:02am

I love this bike

Big Bird
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Oceano, CA, USA
9/30/2026 9:11am

It's got a larger diameter down tube than most steel bikes. Finally. But mine's bigger.

1
9/30/2026 12:59pm
earleb wrote:
As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless...

As an actual garage bike building hack I don't see any "garage-made welding vibe" here. I see pro level work, 3d printed bb/pivot housing, and spotless welds. The pro that welded this really shouldn't be lumped in with garage level work. You hide "garage-made welding vibe " under paint designed to distract from looking at the welding, you put pro work like this on display in pure raw form. 

Wait I thought that's why Cannondale used to grind down their welds (like a braized frame)

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