MDE Bikes 69
Handmade in Italia
Words by Elbry Sandland.
Date: 2009-02-24
There are many brands in Europe that we never see in North America - but most of them follow a similar procedure to the majority of manufacturers here; frames are designed, sold and marketed on the continent but manufactured in Taiwan, China or Vietnam. When Elbry sent me an email about a brand that still did things the old fashioned way - building them one at a time in a small Italian workshop - he got my attention. Here's Elbry's take and some more info on the MDE 69. CM
MDE BIKES:
Founded in 2002 by freerider and mechanical engineer Federico Biora, boutique brand MDE have a strong reputation throughout mainland Europe for producing some of the finest modern day mountain bikes. Made with a large helping of Italian passion and design flair, their products are unique because of their personalized approach. MDE bikes is located in the small town of Alpignano in the outskirts of Turin Italy, at the entrance to the Susa valley. Basically at the foothills of the Alps. The trails can be reached by pedalling in few seconds right from the MDE factory.
Elbry's kitted out MDE 69.
MDE's DH I-LINK SYSTEM:
This system is the result of extensive testing and prototyping by MDE over many years. Ther goal was the best possible suspension for the trails they ride in the Italian Alps. They have very technical tracks with long sections of singletrack but they are punctuated by climbs up old military roads. They needed a system that pedalled efficiently while still being able to master the rocks, large jumps and the sharp corners you find in the Alps or most DH courses. They made the shock rate progressive (a relatively linear rising rate according to MDE literature - Ed.), kept the bottom bracket as low as possible and worked to minimize bobbing and pedal feedback. Attention was paid to ensuring the suspension travelled freely when the rear brake was applied. They also spent a wad of cash navigating the mine field that is patent infringement, doing everything they could to enusre their design was airtight.
Armed with this info I ordered my MDE 69 frame. I soon found how much passion and involvment MDE has with every customer. They spent a lot of time sorting out my needs as a rider and trying to develop something that would meet those needs. I was after a big mountain style dh/freeride sled. Options on the 69 were 1 1/8th or 1.5 headtube (I went with a 1/18th as I'm not a tall rider and was going to run triple clamps), Any angle changes I needed (I kept it as MDE design it, up and coming world cup racer Matteo Milliery and Andrea Bruno have both played a key roll in the design of the bike), 5 Dropout options, Colours etc..etc.. 
Some shots from inside the MDE workshop. Just about everything is done in house.
After a week of emails to MDE we had sorted the right specs for me and I was then saddled with the unenviable task of waiting for Federico Biora to custom build my frame as he does for every customer.
Not China, not Taiwan and not Vietnam: Federico prepping a rear end to be welded in Alpignano Italy.
I was told it would take 6 weeks but I was prepared for more; this was my second MDE and the first one took 8 weeks.
Federico builds with pure passion and no corners are cut just to make the date promised. Luckily I was kept up to date with photos of the frame's progress over the coming weeks and my frame was built in record time; I received it in just four weeks. It was worth the wait, the finish and detail looked perfect. If MDE built cars they would be called Ferrari. My 69 was a Pure Italian delight.
After some CNC work link plats, dropouts and other small parts are annodized to look pretty and withstand the elements.
Some Specs and Impressions
210mm rear travel
Easton Fs Rad tube set with square chainstays and rectangular seatstays
All small parts and links CNC'ed in house
Progressive Compression Ratio
High stability under acceleration
Low pedal feedback
Stays level under braking
High stiffness in the pivot area with one piece cnc block.
Weight 4.15 Kg with Fox Dhx 5.0 coil
Elbry gets his MDE 69 on (and off) the dirt for the first time. Photo ~ Jonathan Williams
Three sizes available S,M,L
Rear dropouts completely replaceable and available 5 versions:135mmx10mm standard quick release, 135mmx12mm with Maxle system, 135mmx12mm with tightening screw, 150mmx12mm with Maxle system, 150mmx12mm with tightening screw
Hard anodized 7075 T6 aluminium pivot
Long life specific "Enduro bearings"
Icgs 00 or Icgs 05
Big tire clearance 26 x 3.0
FINISH POWDER COATING OR ANODIZED
Weight: 4.35 kg/9.59 lbs. (annodized with shock)
PRICE: 1525 GBP
Seeing how she turns. Photo ~ Jonathan Williams
Some Words from Federico Biora
Handmade in Italy
We design and make each and every single piece with an extremely high attention for quality. All parts are CNC machined at our headquarters in Alpignano, Torino, Italy. This allows us to completely control the process from the start. We are in this business first of all for passion. For this we spend a lot of time to control the quality of each single part. Perfection is our target. We couple 3D CAD design (Autocad,Delcam platform) to FEA calculations. Nevertheless we believe that each new product must be tested thoroughly before being released. Our riders submit our products to strenuous and prolonged tests. We believe that this is the best way to develop our framesets and components. Of course, technology is not everything; therefore we focus also on a good industrial design. The outside look of each piece is thought through as much as it is scientifically designed. Due to this we can achieve a final result which marries some sort of technical excellence to "Italian" style.
We love our work and do it for your pleasure.
Have fun
Federico Biora
Mdebikes founder
Full Disclosure from Elbry:
I help with English translation for MDE. Frames that are imported for customers outside of Italy such as the Uk, Canada and the USA will more than likely be mailed to me, and I help so that people don't make a wrong choice from translation error. I'm 100% into what they make and I am keen to support them. I dont make any money from importing but I got a rebate for comunication work on my last frame of about 100 euros and that's it. I actually sent my sponsorship frames back so I could buy my first MDE about 18 months ago. I ride an MDE by choice.
Finally it was time to build it up and get it dirty and I will report back with part2 very soon.
What do you think about MDE bikes? Your cuppa espresso or no? Questions for Elbry? Send em...
Andrea Bruno riding an MDE in Chiusa di Pesio Italia.
Stumble this!
Tweet this!
