Morewood is a South African bike company. They build some nice single pivot bikes all aptly given South African names. Richard Beytagh, a South African himself, imports them to the U.S., Richard has done a superb job bringing in high quality bikes and making a mark on the North American race circuit. Son Geritt Beyatgh is one of the top competitors in the men’s Pro-Class of Downhill. The bikes are housed in North Carolina, which makes perfect sense of the relationship they have with Cane Creek components and the new Industry Nine wheel company. Simple in design and with a price tag that would make any jealous wife smile these are sure to become a popular choice with the racer on a budget. The new prototype DH bike has seen quite a big diet, with full race rigs around 38lbs. They have lightened up the front end a bit and really reduced the rear end. Visually the swing arm is a tad bit thinner than the current model Izimu DH but I think these guys have a good idea what they are looking for. If all goes well these are sure to be World Cup contenders.
While perusing NSMB.com I stumbled upon this. Brandon Sloan, who is Specialized Bikes product manager, has been spotted up north testing a new 7-inch Demo bike. The new bike, as pictured above will sport a 1.5 head tube and a curved down tube. Sloans bike is reported to weigh in the ballpark of 37lbs without cutting corners. Well see what 2007 has to hold for the Specialized line. They are reported to continue the Demo8 for race applications and have the new 7 geared for the freeride contingency. Also in the pic is the new 7-inch RockShox single crown "Totem". Brandon has proven himself with the Demo line so far; he was definitely paying attention in science class.