Ragley has announced its 2016 range and although the faces change, the names remain the same.

Key Points

• Five model range for 2016
• Old favourites migrate to 27.5 inch wheels
• Updated trail geometry
• Frame prices range from £250 – £450

So tell me a bit about Ragley

Ragley is a British company that has been pumping out hardtails since 2008. It specilaises in the so-called “hardcore” hardtail category and claims their bikes will be as comfortable riding in the Alps as blasting your local singletrack, a tough ask for a bike with no shock.

 

There was speculation that Ragley may have been thinking of introducing a full suspension bike for 2016 but it has instead stuck to its guns and produced a line up of five hardtails.

What has it got?

The highlight of the range has to be the Blue Pig. This year it’s still keeping it real in steel but it has made the leap from 26 inch up to 27.5 inch wheels. The frame is optimised for a 150 mm fork and will feature Ragley’s new Trail Geometry.

 

What is the trail geometry?

Well, as is fashionable at the moment, the tagline is longer and slacker. Ragley claims that it wants to transfer the characteristics of a modern full suspension bike over to its hardtails, but without the shock of course.

The Blue Pig has a claimed head angle of 64°, which may seem ridiculous, but as it is a hardtail this will become steeper as the fork compresses. Ragley believes that it will take on a 66° head angle as you mount the bike with 25 per cent sag

>>> Click here for our full guide to mountain bike geometry

Ragley has also lengthened the cockpit on the Blue Pig, giving it a wheelbase roughly 20 mm bigger than our Hardtail of the Year winning Vitus Sentier VRS.

 

 

Anything else to look out for?

Ragley has kept the three finger bridge that is great for winter mud clearance here in the UK. They will also have routing options for stealth dropper posts.

What other bikes is it offering?

For those that want a bit less travel, the Piglet is similar to a Blue Pig but optimised for a 130mm fork.

 

The MmmBop is the aluminium version of the Blue Pig and has mirrored its move to 650b wheels.

 

There is also an entry aluminium hardtail – The Marley.

 

Finally, Ragley has stuck with the BigWig as its steel 29er hardtail.

 

Anything else to know?

All the bikes come with a five-year warrantee and a lifetime crash replacement service. The frames all range in size from XS – L. The bikes will be available from November.

For more information click here