Every time I see of Scottish trials phenom Danny MacAskill pogoing his bike off two-story buildings, I marvel not only at his skills but also at his bike. I mean, what kind of bike can stand up to that sort of abuse without quickly being reduced to a pile of bent rims, broken hubs, and cracked metal?
UK bike manufacturer , which has sponsored MacAskill since 2007, answered that question last week with the public release of , the 24-inch-wheeled bike that the 25-year-old rode in both his and videos. Named after the small island in Scotland from which MacAskill hales, the Skye is a burly aluminum frame that features a one-piece bottom bracket and chainstay yoke and through axles both front (20mm) and rear (12mm). It comes equipped with MacAskill’s component picks, including custom Hope Pro 2 Evo and Pro 2 Trials hubs, a Hope stem, and Atomlab rims. It tips the scales at 26.3 pounds, which might seem hefty but I suppose that’s partly what makes it so durable.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ShbC5yVqOdI
“It’s amazing that Inspired have a complete specification to the standard of my bike,” MacAskill said. “As with the other bikes in the Inspired range, the Skye can really take anything you can throw at it and I hope whoever buys one has as much fun on it as I do.” Whether or not you have the nerve and the skills to make good on the hope is wholly another question. But we might also suggest , as well as a good insurance policy.
In the US, you can purchase the Skye from for $3,300.
–Aaron Gulley