First Look: Bilt Eight Downhill Frame

Bilt Bikes Australia recently contacted us with photos of their new Bilt Eight DH frame. It's been in development and testing for two years, and they'll be putting it into production very soon.

Features:

6000 series aluminum construction with sealed bearing pivots
Linkage tuned single pivot with 203mm travel
Cane Creek Double Barrel rear shock 240mm
Emphasis is on race geometry - think low and slack
64 degree head angle with 1.5 degrees adjustability either way via Cane Creek Angleset
Will be available in black with red linkage or blue with black linkage. Frame finish will be satin anodized.
73mm bottom bracket
150mm rear wheel spacing
Builds shown weigh in at approximately 37.5 pounds

Bilt has received considerable input about the frame from some very fast Australian riders. Aussie DH racers may have seen the first generation prototype bikes on the race circuit in the past. The production version has a completely re-designed linkage, mainly to tidy it up and make the travel more linear. The swing arm also has a two box sections added to stiffen the rear end up laterally and make the bike corner, track and handle off camber sections better.

Frames are designed in Australia and manufactured in Taiwan. Expected pricing will be in the USD $2700 range with Cane Creek Double Barrel and Angleset included.

Bilt Bikes is currently looking for distributors. If you're interested in supporting the project, please contact Bill Dengate at bill@biltbike.com.