You Might Recognize The Welds

Form Prevail 29er

Form is an Arizona company with a past you might recognize. It’s a four-man operation, and all four guys worked intimately with the custom bike program for Titus Cycles. Founder Daryl Roberts started the company when things at Titus began to change and never looked back.

WHO IS IT MADE FOR?

You. That’s because Form doesn’t have a production line. Each bike is custom-made for the rider. We asked them to build us a lightweight 29er cross-country racer. But that doesn’t mean the same tube set couldn’t be configured with different dropouts, different geometry and a different build kit. Your Form could be anything from a single-speed 27.5- inch-wheeled bike to a dirt jump hardtail.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

The frame is 100 percent TIG-welded titanium. It features 6-4 (a harder and stronger titanium alloy) for the head tube, bottom bracket and dropouts. It also has internal cable routing, a press-fit 30 bottom bracket with an integrated upper cup and traditional lower cup, laser-etched graphics, and a handmade head tube badge as a finishing touch. The welds are impeccable, and the finish is flawless. This is a simple bike, but it’s not a commodity. It’s the details that make the Form shine.

WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?

Our bike was built specifically for the wrecking crew to test, so the laser-etched MBA logo on the top tube doesn’t hurt. Picture your name here. We also went with internally routed cables and a full, color-matched SRAM X0 group which has been a favorite of the wrecking crew since its debut. Our rolling Form would set a rider back $6500.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?


Ergonomics: Our large frame fit true to size and it should beacause it was custom built to our supplied measurements. The geometry feels right at home on singletrack. Remember, you can have this machine built any way you like. We chose internal cable routing to keep the cables out of the way and to keep the look clean and smooth. We also chose an integrated upper headset cup to keep the front end low. If you’re a trail rider, go for a longer-travel fork. If you’re a racer, or just prefer weight savings to plush travel, this setup is for you.

Pedaling: This is a hardtail race frame, and it delivers amazing efficiency. Our frame was built to favor lateral stiffness over comfort and compliance, so it is stiffer than other titanium hardtails and delivers a great, responsive feel. Pedaling platform? It’s a hardtail. You’re not going to beat that platform. We ran the fork’s low-speed compression adjustment near fully closed. This delivered an ultra-firm fork and eliminated the need to turn the lockout on and off.

Climbing: Put the power to the pedals and it translates into elevation gain. Whether it’s a long grinder or a short and steep climb, this bike is designed to get you to the top of the mountain. The large-diameter tubes don’t allow the frame to flex, even under hard efforts. The Truvativ handlebar is wide at 28 inches and delivers plenty of leverage for out-of-the-saddle efforts.

Cornering: The geometry is on the steep and quick side, so when you lean it over, be ready for it to carve. But don’t worry, it rails corners confidently without sacrificing stability at speed. The bottom bracket height gives the bike stability and a low center of gravity for a cross-country racer, but it’s not too low. Arizona trails are rocky, and the design takes this into account.

Descending: The forgiving feel of a titanium frame doesn’t deliver measurable travel on technical descents. The steep geometry and quick handling mean the bike relies on the rider’s skill to navigate tricky downhills. Still, the titanium ride is “plush” compared to an aluminum hardtail and does offer some forgiveness. This bike will keep you honest, and a strong and skilled rider will love its capabilities.

Braking: The Avid X0 brakes are tried-and-true performers. There’s no rear suspension to deal with here, so there’s obviously no brake jack. The fork dives under hard braking or when braking down a steep pitch, but the low-speed compression adjustment helped immensely with this.

TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?

The tire choice on our test bike is on the large side for a race bike. The high-volume and low-profile knobs work great in SoCal’s combination of rocky desert and dry trails, but these tires will not work everywhere. Choose something narrower for more clearance in muddy terrain. The laser-etched graphics are a $300 upcharge on the build, but they are worth the striking looks. As a bonus, there’s no chance of them peeling off like standard decals. Scratches in the titanium finish can be touched up with a Scotch-Brite pad.

BUYING ADVICE

There’s a lot of technology integrated into this frame. It’s not as light and stiff as some carbon offerings, and the price tag may deter some people; however, the ride quality and craftsmanship make it a custom bike that’s worth the price. This is not a disposable frame; it’s heirloom quality. The options for customization are great if you know what you want, and the designers at Form are willing to guide you if you don’t. Basically, this isn’t an impulse buy. Plan on building your dream machine and keeping it for a lifetime.



Reprinted from our February 2012 issue. Like us on Facebook