Earlier this month we picked up on the new Ragley titanium frame from Shedfire as Brant released the first pictures to a more than interested media. Let’s just say that many people, particularly in the UK are following what Shedfire does with more than a passing interest.

At the time, I don’t think we were alone in thinking that potentially this was one hell of a nice bike – with the caveat that no price has yet been announced. But the fact that this is the first frame from Brant since On-one and the knowledge of how savvy he is with marketing his efforts means he has surely been keen to start anew with a knockout bike. It’s fair to say that people expect him to have been ‘keeping his powder dry’ with this frame… hence the interest.

Earlier this week I dropped by the Shedfire website which is now sporting a much more attractive set of clothes than the glorified Twitter feed it started out with. Not only that, but there’s a couple of useful pictures of the Ragley which show it in more detail – first the odd looking driveside chainstay/bridge arrangement in close up which must have had more than one person wonder if it was laterally stiff, yet vertically compliant (hat tip, the NYBikeSnob); then the frame built up and showing off its slack angles, big tyre capability and fat downtube. Tasty stuff.

Today sees another step in accommodating the media, with both WMB/MBUK and Singletrack getting their own unique opportunities to get a first sniff of the bike.

I already like this bike. But I don’t know why. It looks great, there’s some interesting design features and the craftsmanship can only be top drawer. But I don’t know what it will cost, I don’t know how a steel or ally version might translate and there’s not even any graphics on the bike (yet!).

It’s a clever thing marketing isn’t it! But so far, it seems to be working.

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About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.