“We are on the cusp of a new era for mountain biking” Julien Absalon
A double Olympic champion and five-time world champion, Julien Absalon has joined Origine as an ambassador. Since then, he has done more than just ride Origine bikes; he has also been involved in the development of certain models.
This summer, in particular, he tested the prototype 32-inch mountain bike. He explains what this new size brings to the table, and why he believes in it.
A champion involved in development
Julien Absalon has 33 World Cup victories and 15 French championship titles to his name. His experience at the very highest level is invaluable to the engineers at Origine Cycles. Every time he returns from the track, it provides an opportunity to fine-tune a setting, validate a design choice or correct a detail.
This approach is central to Origine’s way of working. The brand designs high-tech bikes, developed entirely in-house, from the initial design right through to assembly. It tests them in real-world conditions, with demanding riders.
The 32-inch: what are we talking about?
‘32-inch’ refers to the size of the wheels. It is a larger size than the 29-inch, which is currently the standard for cross-country mountain biking.
A larger wheel clears roots and stones more easily – this is known as ‘clearance’. It also maintains its speed better once it’s up to speed. On the other hand, handling and set-up require some adjustment, particularly when it comes to the suspension.
The Origine prototype made its public debut this summer at the XCO World Cup in Les Gets. The frame has been designed, but testing is ongoing. In particular, the engineers are fine-tuning the carbon lay-up – that is, the stacking of the fibre layers that determines the frame’s behaviour.
A project spanning several months
Origine has been working for several months on the development of a 32-inch mountain bike. This project involves numerous tests and several iterations of the prototype – that is, a series of successive versions, refined as testing progresses.
Julien Absalon is involved in this process. His feedback, drawn from top-level competition, guides the development decisions.
Top-level experience driving Origine’s development
Beyond his sporting endeavours, Julien Absalon supports the Origine teams in the development of future innovations.
His experience at the very highest international level, his knowledge of equipment and his all-round practical expertise will provide Origine’s design team with valuable, real-world technical feedback from the field.
A collaboration true to the Origine approach: developing high-performance bikes, tested in real-world conditions and designed with actual usage in mind.
Julien Absalon’s views on the 32-inch mountain bike
Julien Absalon has been riding the prototype for several months. He’s been switching back and forth between the 29-inch and 32-inch models to compare the ride feel and fine-tune the suspension.
“I love all types of bikes. As a former cross-country racer, I naturally have a 29-inch Théorème. But I also ride gravel bikes, and I cycled across Morocco in April. Gravel bikes, like the Fraxion, are ideal for exploring countries and undertaking long cross-country rides. I really enjoy it.
More recently, I’ve been involved in testing the 32-inch model and helping to develop it. It’s going very well. A larger wheel makes it easier to clear obstacles. And the faster you go, the more you notice its performance.
These days, everything’s moving very fast. We’re on the cusp of a new era with the arrival of the 32-inch model. At the moment, I don’t own one: the one I’m riding is still a prototype. We’re fine-tuning certain details to move towards the final version. But this summer, I’ve used it a lot.”
What’s next?
The 32-inch model isn’t yet in mass production. The direction, however, is clear: to design bikes based on real-world use, with precise feedback from the field. Julien Absalon’s experience informs this work, across all terrains.
