The new trials range developped by Thibaut Marriaux arrives at the start of June. The new range, as we all know, has been baptised Evo 3, and will be "100% TMS". It marks, in effect, an end of Thibaut’s collaboration with MBK as he embarks on a solo project, developping his own brand which has come to be seen as somewhat of a benchmark in the trials industry.

The Evo 3 range with comprise two models:
 The Evo 3 S,, which has 380mm chainstays, a +20mm BB and a 1065mm wheelbase and comes in pearl white,
 The Evo 3 L, which has 380mm chainstays, a +50mm BB and a 1085mm wheelbase and comes in either pearl white or brushed aluminium.

Below is a brief interview with Thibaut Marriaux in which he tells us a bit more about the bikes, followed by the vital statistics of the frames and their full specifications. The bikes will be available in double HS33, double disc or HS33-disc options. The published weight of the HS33 version is 9.3kg, which is surprising considering that they are fitted with non-folding tyres. Fitting folding tyres, such as Continentals, would give a weight more like 8.7kg!

Interview with Thibaut Marriaux :

We’ve grilled the TMS boss to find out a bit more about the end of his partnership with MBK and about the new Evo 3 range.

Jébegood : Hi Tibo! So your new bikes will be 100% TMS and you’re parting company with MBK?

Thibaut Marriaux : Hi Jé’! Yeah, the Evo 3s will be released under the TMS name! That’s been confirmed now.

Jébegood : And why’s that? Can you give us a bit of background on the reasons for the split?

Thibaut Marriaux : MBK are a bit behind with their whole range and the trials frames wouldn’t have been released for ages. So I decided to go for it on my own. I’d designed the frame myself anyway. By the way - I enjoyed your articles on K-124 Days!

Jébegood : Thanks! It was massive this year! You’re bringing out two geometries - do you think there’s much demand for the 1065/+20 model?

Thibaut Marriaux : Yeah, definitely! Younger riders moving from 20" to 26", women and more "streety" riders, like myself or Yohan Marech, all prefer the smaller frames.

Jébegood : Ok... So it’ll be available in two colours, white and alu?

Thibaut Marriaux : Yeah, pearl white, a bit like mine (which is a bit gloss, a bit metallic and a bit pearly) or brushed alu like Nico’s. The short one will only be available in white.

Jébegood : They’ll be available in June?

Thibaut Marriaux : Yeah, mid-June my bikes will be out!!

Jébegood : What modifications have been made to the initial prototype? The rear end’s been re-done I believe?

Thibaut Marriaux : The seat stays have been bent a little more to improve clearance for the crank arms. Other than that, no change! The tests carried out over the last few months have been pretty conclusive!

Jébegood : We saw some new cranks at the opening of your new shop... Will they make it into production?

Thibaut Marriaux : It’s in the pipeline, but they won’t be ready by June I’m afraid!

The Evo 3s and their specifications

Here are the vital statistics of the new frames and their standard specs, available in three versions: double HS33/HS33-Louise/double Hope disc.

 Vital Statistics...

• • Material: Aluminium 7005, Magnesium alloy and silicon
  • Weight: 1.780Kg (Brushed Alu version)
  • Cut-away headtube
  • Sliding CNC rear dropout, adjustable via a 5mm tension bolt. This system allows the wheel to be fitted and removed very simply.
  • Chainstay yoke: CNC machined aluminium, cut away in neutral areas.
  • Seatstay yoke: hollowed out plate, acting as HS33 mount and booster.
  • Price 790€ (about 700 pounds), including headset and BB.

 Specifications...

• • Fork: TMS straight blade pearl white / brushed Alu, 410mm threaded and CNC machined Alu steerer, black anodised top-tube cap and International Standard disc mount.
  • Headset: 1"1/8 semi-internal ring bearing.
  • Handlebar: TMS oversize 730mm carbon riser.
  • Stem: TMS black 120mm, 30° (also available - 130mm/30° and 135mm/25°)
  • Spacers: TMS black anodised Alu (10mm)
  • Grips: Caoutchouc special trial (white).
  • Bottom Bracket: TMS ISIS ring bearing (140mm)
  • Cranks: TMS CNC machined (175mm)
  • Chain: KMC K810
  • Freewheel: Tensile 18 tooth 6 click sealed bearing.
  • Rock-ring: Tensile 85mm
  • Front brake: MAGURA HS 33 limited edition white, long lever
  • Rear brake: MAGURA HS 33 limited edition white, long lever
  • Pads: TMS red, soft compound
  • Pedals: TMS magnesium (Alu colour)
  • Cog: TMS 15t
  • Front rim: TMS 39mm 28 hole, hexagonal holes, pearl white
  • Rear rim: TMS 47mm 32 hole, hexagonal holes, pearl white
  • Front hub: TMS 28 hole, anodised red, rapid tightening
  • Rear hub: TMS 32 hole, anodised red, threaded
  • Front tyre: MAXXIS mobster 26x2.1
  • Rear tyre: MAXXIS High Roller 26x2,5 super-tacky (soft compound)
  • Chainstay protector: TMS.

 Weights and prices of the different versions

• • Double Magura HS33: 9.3 Kg / 1790€ (about 1,580 pounds)
  • Magura HS33 / Magura Louise: 9.42 Kg / 1890€ (about 1,670 pounds)
  • Double Hope Mono Trial 180mm: 9,6 kg / 2190€ (about 1,930 pounds).

Photos...

 While we wait for the photos of the production models, here are some photos of Nicolas Luque’s prototype. From an aesthetic point of view, the curves of the frame are very seductive, and the wishboning of the stays will only improve the fluidity of these lines! Technically speaking, the bike is very much up to date with today’s tastes, with its cut-away headtube and yokes and even pushes these boundaries and conventions with its clever sliding rear dropout system, which as far as we know is the only system of its kind currently on the market.

Full bike:

Closeups:

 Nico in action on the Buthiers rocks: