Aurélien Fontenoy is the No. 1 rider in the Rhône-Alps region, a title which he defended to the hilt this year, winning the recent Rhône-Alps Elite Championship. He is also one of the best riders in the world; in 2007 he won both Junior world titles (20" & 26") at Fort William, and had a great season as a part of the Atomz team: he put in a brilliant performance at the second round of the World Cup in Heubach, finishing fourth, ahead of Giacomo Coustellier and Marc Caisso! All this did not happen by chance, as Aurélien explained: “I’ve just come out of a hard winter’s training and I’m more motivated than ever. I’m really happy with the start of my season and I hope to continue in the same way!” Aurélien went on to finish fourth in the European Championship in Zoertemeer and sixth in the Canberra World Championship.
The news broke yesterday: Aurélien has ended his partnership with Atomz. Goodby Quark, Marc Caisso and Giacomo Coustellier. Aurélien now rides an… Inpulse! Inpulse? That’s right, it’s the new brand that his brother Cédric has just launched, after a lot of planning! He has been developing his own bikes for a few years now, which we presented in the interview Cédric Fontenoy & his SX_Supercross and the article SX Supercross Evo 3.2, and had long talked about launching his own brand. His bike is now fully developed and Cédric decided to realise his dream, with his brother as the shock ambassador for his new brand, which will soon have a team of 26" and 20" riders. The brand will have two models in its catalogue: the R26, which the Fontenoy brothers are already using, and the R20. Below is a presentation of the R26, an interview with Cédric from yesterday in which he tells us a bit more about his projects, and some photos…
The Inpulse R26:
Here is the flyer for the R26, a bike that is descended directly from Cédric’s SX, with new colours and a few improvements including a new chain tensioning system, integrated freewheel protection and a cut-away headtube, All of which give it a very up-to-date look and show it to be a bike aimed at top level comp riders…
A closer look at Aurélien’s R26…
An interview with the boss:
We interviewed Cédric last night and he told us a bit more about his ambitious project…
Jébegood: So Cédric, you’ve decided to launch your own trials company?
Cédric Fontenoy: That’s right. I enjoyed producing my own frames so much that I’ve decided to go into business with it.
Jb: So, Inpulse! You’re going to produce a 26” and a 20” model? The 26” model is an evolved version of the bike you developed three years ago… the SX… It’s changed a bit… Can you tell us a bit more about it?
C.F.: Yes, the company’s called Inpulse and the two bikes, the R20 and the R26, will be available in mid December. There’s been a fair bit of evolution from my previous bikes, which I called “SX_Supercross”. In reality, the idea of producing my own bikes has been in my head for a long time, but I never got round to it. And it was only when I received my latest model (which is technically almost identical to the production model) that I decided to do it. I looked at it and saw that it was as good as any other bike on the market.
Jb: It still has the main features of the SX: the two main tubes, which join at the front in order to improve stiffness, and the stays that join the top tube to improve lateral stiffness, but also has a cut-away headtube and a new chain tensioning system?
C.F.: That’s it, the basic concept remains the same, but the bike is a bit more performance orientated. The frame has been lightened in the machined areas. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it means that we were able to save a few precious grams, which was important as we’re aiming this bike at the competition market.
Jb: The SX weighed 1850g and the R26 weighs 1726 including the integrated bash, is that right?
C.F.: Exactly, we worked on the tubes and machined parts a lot in order to reduce the weight. The R26 weighs 1750g (certified, including chain tensioning system and integrated bash) with an anodised metallic red finish! The R20 will weigh about 200g less than that. As far as innovations go, I developed a new system for the chain tensioner, similar to the TPA adjuster on a Magura lever. It’s simple, functional, compact and accurate. The second innovation: I’ve integrated the freewheel protector under into the frame, with a replaceable plate.
Jb: You’ve kept the heat-treated 7010 T6 alloy from the previous bikes?
C.F.: Yes, the frame is made from high quality heat-treated aluminium.
Jb: Will the finish change do you think, or will you keep the anodising and logo?
C.F.: The decoration isn’t final yet, I’m trying a few designs out at the moment, but it will definitely be subtle and clean, with an anodised red base.
Jb: Ok! How will you distribute the frames? The competition is stiff at the moment, with more and more companies being formed… What do you make of it?
C.F.: I think that despite all the competition, there’s room for everyone. At any rate, having one more alternative can only be a good thing from a rider’s point of view! We’ll have a website with as much info as possible and also an online sales site. I’m going to try and include all the ream riders and site visitors in the development of the site.
Jb: Ok, excellent! A dynamic and collaborative site… sounds good! So, Inpulse have a bit of a surprise ambassador… Your brother Aurélien! The No. 1 rider in the Rhône-Alps region, who had a great 2009 season with Atomz... Fourth in the European Championship, sixth in the World Championship, good results in the World Cup…
Everyone was surprised to see him leave Atomz! You must be pleased to have him!!!
C.F.: Yeah, I’m proud that he chose Inpulse. He really likes the bike. He’s very technical and knows how to give the best advice regarding the development. Plus, he has an excellent image. He rides very well in competition, so I’m happy!
Jb: Yeah, he’s a big signing! A rising star in the sport! So he’s going to be involved in the development of the bikes then? Are you going to recruit any other riders? How many? From all levels?
C.F.: Yeah, Aurélien’s going to be the main rider. I’m currently in the middle of recruiting a team and I’d like to invite riders who’d like to be involved with Inpulse to get in touch with their trials CV, results, goals etc… That goes for 20” and 26” competitors.
Jb: Just French riders? Will you be offering full bikes, or just frames?
C.F.: No, all riders. From mid-December Inpulse will be offering frames and full bikes with top-spec kit.
Jb: OK, thanks for talking to us! And congratulations on all your hard work and all that you’ve achieved so far! All the best for 2010!
C.F.: And to you! Bye!
Some photos:
The Fontenoy brothers’ prototypes…
Cédric’s R26…
Aurélien in action…
or to apply for sponsorship:
Inpulse Bikes - Cédric
E-Mail/Msn: [email protected]
Tel: +33(0)6.32.55.73.15
Voici les premières dates des compétitions de Trial régionales de la nouvelle saison dans la partie est de l’hexagone. Le Trophée (...)
Le Montauban Trial Club a le plaisir de vous annoncer la "SESSION II" de sa Compétition Nocturne. En effet, pour ses 10 années d’existence, (...)
Le club du Vélo Vert Savignolais organisera la 6ème manche de la Coupe Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2017 de Trial ce dimanche 17 septembre ! Une (...)
L’équipe de bénévoles du Vélo Club Sportif de Betton s’est mise en marche pour tracer le trial de Betton et vous attend de pied (...)
Voici le programme complet de la 4ème étape de la Coupe du Monde UCI Trial 2017, qui investit pour la troisième année consécutive Albertville et (...)
Le club de Vélo Trial Petit-Coeur La Léchère organisera la 5ème manche de la Coupe Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2017 de Trial ce dimanche 25 juin ! Une (...)
La finale de l’édition 2017 de la Coupe FFC Grand Sud de Trial se déroulera le 25 Juin dans la petite ville de Saint-Sulpice-sur-Lèze en (...)
La finale du Championnat Centre / Ile-de-France Ufolep 2017 de Bike Trial se dispute ce dimanche 11 juin à Larchant. Retrouvez les infos sur ce (...)
