Spotted: Bike industry social media previews prototypes
Now on the home straight with a month remaining before Eurobike opens its doors sneak peaks of prototype goods are leaking out on social media channels. Here’s a handful of the more interesting products spotted this month:
Wisper’s carbon MTBs
A clear departure from the norm has seen Wisper Bikes sneak out an image of a new carbon hardtail.
Dubbed the “Wolf”, all we have for now is the image, which shows a very clean internally routed frame with battery built into the upper side of the downtube.
It also appears that the firm will debut a full-suspension build in alloy and carbon, dubbed the Wildcat, at the September Cycle Show, for which trade can register free of charge here.
We’ve reached out to UK distributor AMPS for a bit more detail on what to expect from the firm’s first serious electric mountain bike.
Polaris do bikepacking 
Currently being tested from Polaris are a series of bikepacking products, featuring a handlebar, frame and seat bag.
(This) “Really fits with the brand vision moving forwards for Polaris,” said Polaris’s marketing spokesperson in sneaking this prototype snap out on social media.
Using a waterproof fabric the bags are at present not taped, though it is expected that once in production the bags will be fully waterproof. Clips for lighting, reflective detailing and adjustable strapping feature on each.
Stock of the production units is expected to be ready for Christmas sales.
FBM Hunter/Gatherer 
U.S.-made BMX label FBM has surprised with a departure into the gravel genre with a blog detailing a build dubbed the Hunter/Gatherer.
The result of a collaboration with Ride Endpoint, the steel-framed build will host 27.5×2.25 tyres comfortably and carries mounts for three bottle cages mounted low to free up enough space for a frame bag. A 12×142 thru axle and derailleur hanger is included.
Meanwhile, the fork carries mounts for fenders and racking and takes a 15 x 100 thru-axle.
Customers can pre-order via the FBM site for a deposit of $600. Full payment of $1,200 is due at shipment. The firm’s current lead time is 12 weeks. Frames ordered before mid August, will begin shipping Mid-November 2017.
In the UK FBM is available via Four Down Distribution.
