Curve Releases the Downrock Ti Hardtail

It seems like trail hardtails keep getting better and better, with more options popping up every week. Melborne’s Curve Cycling (see our recent interview with the company) just added another beautiful titanium option to the mix with its new Downrock. While it’s a bit of a departure from the company’s other “Race Ride Seek” bikepacking-specific models, it looks like it could be a blast for both singletrack-heavy trail riding and bikepacking alike.

The Curve Downrock is made from the same beautifully welded titanium as other Curve models, such as the GMX that Joe reviewed. The frame features a threaded T47 bottom bracket and full external cable routing for ease of maintenance and quiet operation. Curve put just two pairs of cage mounts on the Downrock, one inside the front triangle and one underneath the downtube, to maintain the lowest possible center of gravity.

• Bottom Bracket 73mm T47 BB
• Brakes Post-mount disc, clearance for 180mm front, 160mm rear rotors
• Drivetrain 1x only, Max chainring 34T Md-XL, 32T SM frame
• Chainline 52mm
• Fork Compatible with 1.5-1⅛ steerer; for 130mm suspension forks, compatible up to 150mm
• Headtube Tapered 56/44 Zero Stack Headtube
• Hub spacing Boost 148 x 12mm rear dropout
• Mounts 2x Bottle Cage mounts
• Cable routing Full external cable routing, stealth routing for dropper
• Seatpost 31.6 seatpost, 34.9 seat clamp, optimised around 170-210mm dropper seatposts.
• Tire clearance 82mm for 29 x 2.6” (66mm)

Shorter Seattubes?

While some bikepackers might prefer a longer seat tube for more frame bag space, bikes such as the Curve Downrock are moving to short seat tubes to accommodate the latest generation of long travel (170mm – 210mm) dropper posts. There’s no denying the advantages of a longer dropper post for more aggressive trail riding, so there’s a little give and take.

Geometry

With a 65° head tube angle and a 75.75° seat tube angle (size large), the Downrock’s geometry definitely leans toward the aggressive side of the spectrum. Find the full chart below. Note that the front and rear centers are scaled proportionally across the sizes in order to provide the same ride and handling characteristics across a range of rider heights.

The Curve Downrock sells as a frame only for $3,299 AUD (about $2,250 USD) or as a complete for $8,999 AUD ($6,140 USD). Learn more over at CurveCycling.com.au.

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