2011 Knolly Chilcotin - FIRST LOOK

Sep 20, 2010 at 14:05

Knolly steals the first day of Interbike with their brand new and yet to be seen Chilcotin, a 6" travel do-everything machine that is built with typical Knolly quality. Inside you can check out the new bike and read all of the info!

Read on..

2011 Knolly Chilcotin

Here it is, the first look at Knolly's new Chilcotin, a serious all-mountain bike named after some serious B.C. mountains. This is a brand new machine from Knolly that is designed to do anything and everything that you may come across on your local terrain. Head out for shuttle runs with your DH buddies or pack your bag for that massive climb up and over your local pass, adjustable geometry and 6" of travel let you do as you like.

The Chilcotin's burly front end features a full length 1.5" headtube that will fit many different headset combinations, allowing you to fine tune the bike's head angle and stack height to your liking. Further letting you have it your way is a built in head angle and bottom bracket height adjustment that lets you pick from a speed friendly 66 degree setting or a more trail friendly 66.75 option. Bottom bracket numbers are 341 mm and 350 mm accordingly.

I'm usually not a fan of bright bikes, but this Chilcotin was stunning in person, as were the graphics. Just out of view is the bike's built in cable routing for a telescoping post, something that is surely to be found on many of these bikes.

Knolly uses their patented Four by 4 linkage that allows them to fine tune the suspension rate to their liking. The goal with the new Chilcotin is to have a bike that is capable enough to devour the gnarliest of terrain that you'll find out on your adventures, but also pedal as good as their more XC friendly machines. While that may be the holy grail of all-mountain bikes, it's the one that everyone strives for. I'm very excited to throw a leg over the Chilcotin to put in some big miles and see how the new bike performs.

A bolt-on front derailleur cable stop lets you remove it if you are running a HammerSchmidt or guide, and ISCG05 tabs let you mount up either easily. Rear wheel spacing is 135mm and Knolly uses durable 3/8th thick dropouts that should take any abuse that you can dish out. There is clearance for massive 2.7" tires, but this also means that you won't be clogging up with mud when using more common 2.3" - 2.5" rubber. If you are looking for an uber light bike that is fragile, the Chilcotin shouldn't be your choice. The 6" travel frame weighs in at a solid 7.5 lb, light enough to build up a sub-30 lb all day bike, but burly enough that you won't be giving a second to sending that back country gapper.

I'm excited about Knolly's new Chilcotin, a burly 6" travel bike that I picture myself using to both get way out into the back country, but hit some serious terrain with as well. What do you guys think about the new all-mountain offering from Knolly? Put your thoughts down below!

Check out Knolly's website to see all of their models.

Stay tuned for more Interbike coverage!

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103 Comments

Score Time

+ 10

barnz0rz (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:23)

BOOM!!!!
out of nowhere Knolly steps in there with this one..... nice work!

[Reply]

bogey (Sep 20, 2010 at 19:31)

Tough crowd here. The beauty of Knolly bikes is the great quality and no frill approach. You won't get any funny monkey motion, flex or bearings that need service every 2 months ... just a solid frame that soaks up bumps really well and will last a long time.

Personally I think it looks great and I love the added touch of having a removable front derailleur cable stop.

The linkage isn't very complex. The lower arm simply makes it a true 4 bars and helps control the axle path. The upper 2 links allow the to tune the shock rate independently.

[Reply]

element22 (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:09)

Looking at the bike, it looks OK..But nothing earth shattering there...It's a simple FSR with a link to the shock...Thats about it..NOTHING wrong with it but nothing really new..My only concern and this is the only one. The Rocker is machined of plate aluminum. Thus leaving a large space for spacers between the shock and rockers. Having ridden a few bikes like this I noticed that eventually (sooner than later) the through bolt bends and generates noise manifesting itself as a creak. Maybe a 3D forged pivot would be a great upgrade (also slims the profile of the bike a bit more). All this is of course only a thought.

ktbo (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:33)

thx tips

taletotell (Sep 20, 2010 at 18:21)

I agree that it is well done bike with nothing really new. With bikes coming out that claim to adjust themselves as you ride (magic link, Maestro. . .) it is a little old school to have to actually use tools on your bike.
That said, I'd be more confident of actually getting a different behavior out of this bike for all the adjustment.

bigtard (Sep 21, 2010 at 9:21)

yeah sure pal. adjust while you ride? the only bike that does that is the magic link.
and people are totally falling over themselves to run to the store and buy them aren't they.
oh and i think almost every other company out there is throwing money at kona to licence it as well. NOT!

taletotell (Sep 21, 2010 at 10:05)

right but all the new links claim to shift the force in a way that climbs better and still descends well. That's the idea behind ditching the simple but strong single pivot, or the four bar, or whatever you found on most bikes of the early 21st century, right?

bigtard (Sep 21, 2010 at 13:11)

my objection was to the claim about bikes that adjust themselves.
yes the idea with modern suspension ideas is to make them work well in all situations. but a good design that works well for one aspect should work well for the other unless speaking about radical extremes such as full world cup xc or full world cup dh

taletotell (Sep 21, 2010 at 14:56)

I concede they, for the most part, don't self adjust. I really refer to how they take advantage of the different pressures applied by different situations to react differently. AN old linkage bobbed under pressure almost indiscriminately. Now they claim to only travel under correct pressure. While there is no direct bike adjustment the bike adapts to the adjustments you make with you body such as standing up and leaning forward to pedal hard.

[Reply]

shonkemon (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:48)

This looks really great. 66 deg HA and 13.5" BB height. Uninterrupted seat tube that looks a little less slack than the Endorphin. On paper it sounds perfect (for me). Seriously interested in buying one of these.

[Reply]

chilli-biker (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:22)

Cool beans this is the one I have been waiting for. An all mountain bike built by Knolly with 6 inches of travel. Man would love to get my hands on one of these and ride some long gnarly B.C. trails with this. looks like fun

[Reply]

taletotell (Sep 20, 2010 at 18:10)

Looks like a top notch bike four years ago. The tech on it is nothing new, just well incorporated.
I laugh because you can see how the too-large o-ring sags on the rp23. Mine does the same thing. Why don't they make them the right size?

DARKSTAR63 (Sep 21, 2010 at 5:56)

To be honest, after reading a few comments like yours, Im struggling to figure out why every bike that comes out needs to be something new? I like a back to basics approach, a sturdy do-it-all mountain bike that does provide some very modern features. Its a good weight and serves its purpose. What more could you ask? You want new-fangled self adjusting suspension, there are other offerings on the market already. Not trying to slay your comment, just discussing.

taletotell (Sep 21, 2010 at 10:10)

You make a great point. I know a lot of people hate konas, but I think their loyal fans bank on that same idea. Simple and strong equals fun without constant effort and financial investment. The difference here being that this bike is designed for a better ride than konas with less pedal feedback and more adjustability.

DARKSTAR63 (Sep 21, 2010 at 10:36)

Dont forget how nicely these are made. For a frame like this you pay alot of money, maybe it doesnt use the "latest and greatest" in suspension design, but it is top notch craftsmanship. Ill pay for that in a heartbeat, I just love looking at these things. That being said in regards to the suspension design, Ill be interested to know more about this setup, and how it rides, in my experiance four-bar bikes work VERY well.

taletotell (Sep 21, 2010 at 15:02)

Like I said: top notch and well incorporated technology. Doing what works well is better than crappy innovation, or even untried innovation. Every innovation leads to a few crappy model years until they get it right. This bike has no such risk. I do have a question about the front derailleur though.

[Reply]

Sharonb (Sep 20, 2010 at 22:25)

Nice bike!

Thought he'd put a tapered head tube and increase the travel of the endorphin since its a pretty darn capable bike as it is if he needed a 6 inch bike. That would keep the weight down as well.

I think it would be pretty expensive to make this a sub 30lb bike...

My endorphin is built pretty light and its 32lbs.

But knolly doesn't build bikes for the weight weenies!

partswhore (Sep 22, 2010 at 1:33)

My Delirium is 33. Try harder with your Endo.

Sharonb (Sep 22, 2010 at 13:31)

I'm sure I could get it lighter, but then it wouldn't be as downhill worthy and I would be putting more money into it then is needed.

Where are you compromising to get the delirium down to 33? And if you're riding a Delirium why are you concerned about weight?

partswhore (Sep 22, 2010 at 19:05)

My Delirium is my do it all bike and really is compromised nowhere. Check my pics. When I rode an Endo it was 30 lbs flat with single ply's.

I also ride a Podium so the Delirium is my AM/FR rig.

The Delirium will likely be replaced with a Chilcotin in short order.

Sharonb (Sep 22, 2010 at 22:40)

why did you replace the endorphin with the delirium?

Just checked your pics. Your Delirium looks nice! you have a firebird too?

I think you're worse then me...

partswhore (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:25)

Wanted a slightly slacker bike for the downhills. I found the 67 HA too steep for my liking. The Firebird was just a pic I saved.

[Reply]

MTB-City (Sep 21, 2010 at 10:12)

Superb Bike,

I like the way Knolly builds bikes, i sell a couple of brands but Knolly is my favorite.
I ride a Knolly Delerium myself, and its a realy stable and nice to tune bike.

I can't wait to ride this bike, if it rides as good as it looks.......

[Reply]

bikerboywill (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:16)

what is the point in that extra link? why not have the chain stays go straight to the top triangle?

mikelevy Mod Plus (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:19)

bikerboywill,

Expect some more coverage of the Chilcotin in the next few days. We'll get much more in depth and address your question as well.

Mike

bikerboywill (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:20)

cheers

runner (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:37)

Is it 7.5 lbs with or without shock?

connor-morris (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:39)

clearly with

KURTSUCKS (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:42)

Pretty kool but knolly should have a hardtail instead. i think the delirium can do the job of this steed fair enough.

trailchef (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:58)

it should make the rear triangle less flexy. bike of the year candidate.

russone (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:29) (Below Threshold) show comment

....to not look like a Sunday

bigtard (Sep 21, 2010 at 9:15)

the link allows them to further tune the leverage ratio acting on the shock, to further isolate loads of the rear end from affecting the shock, and to allow a full length seat tube.

[Reply]

shirk-007 (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:39)

So is it just a lighter DT? or a heavy Endo?

Wasn't the Endo supposed to be the perfect Chilcotins bike?

[Reply]

bryan11 (Sep 21, 2010 at 15:44)

Finally manufactures are realizing how stupid it is to run the cables/lines on the bottom of the down tube!

[Reply]

dnewy (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:07)

What is with these pretty fluorescent paintjobs this year? Everyone seems to be doing it

[Reply]

sk8biker95 (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:15)

wow this bike looks great!

glory101 (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:58)

sick bike! but when is knolly gunna come out with a DJ frame?

tom-cuthbert (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:06)

love Knolly's DH bike, but this one doesn't have the same spark for me. The linkage connecting the 2 rockers kinda interrupts the flow of the frame a bit. Each to their own though I geuss!

- 17

xetal (Sep 20, 2010 at 18:26) (Below Threshold) show comment

Wtf is that. It is U G L Y. Not even close to being almost nice !

OllyJ (Sep 21, 2010 at 0:14)

:O NO! its like an orgasm on wheels!

bkbroiler (Sep 21, 2010 at 7:38)

Sooooo many pivots...ugh

[Reply]

devulge96 (Sep 21, 2010 at 2:46)

Ok...so I'm not a huge fan of this bike...but they have some serious imagination... -66? Incredibly slack, but I guess it's all trial and error.

bigtard (Sep 21, 2010 at 9:23)

when you ride around here. you want a trail bike with 66degrees

leelau (Sep 21, 2010 at 9:27)

I respectfully disagree. That's pretty slack - even for around here. I agree that some people will want a 66 degree HA trail bike but not all. Having said that - with an Angleset headset (assuming that works in this bike), you could get steep or slack so perhaps this is all just friendly debate

bigtard (Sep 21, 2010 at 13:13)

but its all available in the adjustment, and with adjustable forks. its nice to see they've got all the bases covered

leelau (Sep 21, 2010 at 13:47)

ah ok - I see where you're going with this. You can have a slack bike that can climb decently but then slacken out for the descents - like say a Gravitron climb bike. In that case i withdraw disagreement and agree with your point

bigtard (Sep 21, 2010 at 15:07)

ok i'll accept
as long as you apologize for giving out gps map coordinates and directions to a secret ski cabin that nobody who didn't deserve to, needed to know about.

leelau (Sep 21, 2010 at 23:28)

You could apologize for false accusations. How about you point to a specific example where I've done that.

partswhore (Sep 22, 2010 at 1:31)

This bike could be configured with an Angle Set anywhere from 64 to 68.75 HA based on the stock numbers of 66 and 66.75. Really what are you complaining about?

[Reply]

leelau (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:40)

Mike - would love to see how this is different than an Endorphin. Other than the obvious more - travel and tweaks to geometry

robertoz (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:59)

You have a 1.5" headtube, so you can run more fork options or make the headtube slacker, you get ISGC (or whatever they're called) tabs.

UncleCliffy (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:38)

ISCG: International Standard Chain Guide mount.

DARKSTAR63 (Sep 21, 2010 at 5:33)

I think the reasons you mention leelau are enough to choose this over the Endorphin, if it suits you. I think this bike looks perfect. More and more people are getting into the kind of riding this bike is built for, myself included, I think its great. Love the adjustable headtube, personally, I would use that feature quite a bit. Depending on where Im riding for the day, and I get to ride real DH lift serviced trails maybe 3 times a year- would like a bike that can do that well, but also serve as my all around free-ride all mountain shredder. Love it!

[Reply]

biname (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:18)

Pretty good looking bike if you ask me!

reks (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:08)

66- that is SLAAACK. Very sweet looking bike, Good work Noel!

[Reply]

bikenazi69 (Sep 21, 2010 at 17:07)

i pray for the day that Knolly makes a bike that makes me not want to punch myself in the face...

seraph (Sep 21, 2010 at 17:49)

I usually just punch a baby, but it's not my fault, their bikes are horribly ugly.

SessionNH (Sep 22, 2010 at 13:37)

I like to punt handicapped children into the ocean. It has nothing to do with bikes, it's just because I have serious self-esteem issues due to my parents showing me animal porn at a young age.

fullbug (Sep 23, 2010 at 8:35)

dig that humor sessionDH!

SessionNH (Sep 24, 2010 at 3:57)

hahahahaa, yea, there is something wrong with me. glad someone could appreciate it.

[Reply]

acadian Plus (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:48)

that's a pretty sweet looking bike!

[Reply]

cthorpe (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:30)

14 bearings.... personally dislike that aspect

Knollybikes-eu Plus (Sep 21, 2010 at 2:08)

They use INA bearings (made in Germany), best in the world (used in, amongst others, BMW and Porsche engines) so don't worry about this!

cthorpe (Sep 21, 2010 at 12:19)

thats great and all. still just more to maintain

Knollybikes-eu Plus (Sep 21, 2010 at 22:34)

Nope ;-) Bearing life is exceptionally long! Really, don't worry about it. Ask the guys who ride Knolly how much they have to attend to their bearings.

UncleCliffy (Sep 22, 2010 at 10:09)

The bikes I've owned with INA bearings go much much MUCH longer without new grease. (Yeah, they don't seem to wear out.)

Knollybikes-eu Plus (Sep 22, 2010 at 23:59)

@UncleCliffy: You know what you're talking about man!

UncleCliffy (Sep 23, 2010 at 21:52)

If you need me to do any bearing testing, I'd be happy to demo a Chilcotin indefinitely... Just let me know. Wink

[Reply]

likeomg (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:21)

I love the green...

nshoregal (Sep 29, 2010 at 11:07)

I love this dayglow green,too - but the other green they are using (http://www.pinkbike.com/news/interbike-2010-randoms-3.html) reminds me too much of Santa Cruz.

[Reply]

boomforeal (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:59)

bit of overlap with the endorphin, t'would seem

ninjaty (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:12)

naturally there would have to be

[Reply]

robertoz (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:01)

It looks like on the bottom of the shock there is another bolt, is that to change goemetry or travel?

UncleCliffy (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:11)

"Further letting you have it your way is a built in head angle and bottom bracket height adjustment that lets you pick from a speed friendly 66 degree setting or a more trail friendly 66.75 option. Bottom bracket numbers are 341 mm and 350 mm accordingly."

[Reply]

smoranc Plus (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:52)

soooo nice but... what's up with the name? haha

Cheers,
Beer

leelau (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:02)

The Chilcotin is a name of a geographic area north of Vancouver (about 5 hours drive). The South Chilcotin in particular has a very high concentration of high-quality alpine singletrack. It's actually an area which lends itself well to light bikes. It's a curiously strange name to choose for a bike that looks like its almost quasi-downhill, freeride.

danny (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:55)

A small taste of the Chilcotins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAYz7JHbHNk />

I agree with you Lee, a Chilcotin bike to me is a little 4X4 or 5X5 type bike, the trails are so smooth there you don't need much for travel....

smoranc Plus (Sep 21, 2010 at 6:49)

Hey lee and danny... thanks for taking me out of my ignorance!!! Saw the vid and looks like a real nice singletrack and I agree with you guys. To name the bike after this place would take a different type of bike to me.

But this 6 inch travel bike looks amazing and I bet it would be perfect as the ultimate AM rig!!! tup

Cheers

[Reply]

gabby (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:54)

chainstay length looks long.

Burker (Sep 20, 2010 at 21:16)

agreed - it looks long but isn't - the seat tube junction is well ahead of the BB, making the gap look huge. You have to compare the length according to the derailleur/cranks.

UncleCliffy (Sep 22, 2010 at 10:09)

Geometry chart on Sicklines says the chainstays are 16.85 inches.

[Reply]

drstepi (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:30)

Uber sexy and dialled.
Looks like evolution has taken another step.

[Reply]

funkendrenchman (Sep 21, 2010 at 7:14)

How bout water bottle cage bolts?

partswhore (Sep 22, 2010 at 1:30)

Will be on production models. These are preproduction frames.

[Reply]

nightfox (Sep 20, 2010 at 19:18)

I can't figure out the rear linkage...looks overly complex.

[Reply]

tyler-dixon (Sep 23, 2010 at 7:26)

knolly needs to make a single speed hardtail

[Reply]

sngltrkmnd (Sep 20, 2010 at 18:40)

Let's see a head-to-head match-up with the Mojo HD!

[Reply]

UncleCliffy (Sep 20, 2010 at 15:40)

Good golly!!! Let's see a geometry chart, STAT!

[Reply]

MoreBravo (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:10)

I still like the Banshee Spitfire more....

[Reply]

brianclaw (Sep 20, 2010 at 17:53)

Cable routing looks like an afterthought on the frame.

[Reply]

juicephoto (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:56)

love the color way!

[Reply]

rnayel (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:15)

looks sweet

[Reply]

mongoosemaniac (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:14)

Looks like the rear tyre could hit the frame...?

[Reply]

nightmareterror (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:54)

Cool bike!!

[Reply]

ollyforster (Sep 21, 2010 at 0:46)

sick colour!!!

[Reply]

dirtbagbiker (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:51)

nice looking bike

[Reply]

Wochowski (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:49)

SIICK~! Retail Price?

[Reply]

PerryDH (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:17)

well they dont have to be strong, only strong in the direction of load! But yea they do look a bit flimsy but none the less an awesome bike tup

[Reply]

tomcoady (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:22)

it's a way to get around the FSR patent.

dingus (Sep 20, 2010 at 14:39)

"Knolly uses their patented Four by 4 linkage that allows them to fine tune the suspension rate to their liking."

Its to do with the shock rate.

robholio Plus (Sep 20, 2010 at 16:01)

bikerboywill - It is for dialing in the leverage ratio to their liking:

-"Knolly uses their patented Four by 4 linkage that allows them to fine tune the suspension rate to their liking."

[Reply]

matt-beer (Sep 20, 2010 at 19:25)

their main reason is to get a full length seat tube with horst link

[Reply]

partswhore (Sep 22, 2010 at 1:35)

Mine will be ~31 lbs

Frame and RP23 will be around 7.5 lbs +/- on size.

[Reply]