We were treated to a preview of some of Charge Bikes’ new range at the Cycling Sports Group show earlier this year, and we saw the rest of the collection at the Eurobike trade show, including the Duster Eleven, Duster X0 and Mixer.
Duster Eleven
The £1,599 Duster Eleven is an evolution of the popular Duster Eight and makes use of Shimano’s updated 11-speed Alfine hub gear, making this an even more attractive low-maintenance cross-country rig.
The frame is built from Tange Prestige butted tubing, with an eccentric bottom bracket, and is available in 16, 18 and 20in sizes. Component highlights include a RockShox Reba SL 100mm-travel fork, Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes, Truvativ Stylo SL bars and crankset, and Charge Spoon saddle.
Duster X0
Charge’s top-end cross-country bike, the Duster X0, is available in black or this fetching neon yellow and has a wealth of high-end components dripping from its skinny Tange Prestige butted steel frame.
There's 2x10 gearing courtesy of SRAM X0, a RockShox SID RLT 100mm suspension fork and Avid X0 hydraulic disc brakes. Charge’s own purple anodised hubs are paired with Mavic XC717 rims, and this is all finished off with the company’s new Splashback tyres. It’ll cost £2,699.99.
Mixer
This is the Charge Mixer flat-barred road bike, which also uses Shimano’s new Alfine hub. The 11-speed version costs £1,200 and comes with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, a new Charge branded stem, full mudguards, a Charge Spoon saddle and Continental Sport Contact tyres. The eight-speed Alfine version costs £1,000.
Surface
Charge do their own line of clothing too under the Surface label, which for 2011 includes an expanded line of tops and jerseys, plus improvements to their existing range.
Here is one of Cycling Sports Group’s top athletes, Ashley Clark, in a Snugflex jersey – showing that even riders blessed with the body of an Adonis can fit into the new range
Charge’s new jerseys, polo shirts and jackets are available in myriad colours and are designed to be worn on casual rides, the commute and even cross-country races.
These socks will definitely add colour to your 'look'
Available in brown or blue, these jackets are breathable, waterproof and designed for casual riding
For the rest of the Surface line, check out the thumbnail gallery above. Charge were displaying all their new bikes on an impressive mock merry-go-round. Charge don't do dull. Here's how it was built:
chargestand