Chumba USA returns with American-made steel hardtails

For those who have been around the downhill and freeride scene for a while, the name Chumba should be pretty familiar. While it’s been laying low for a few years, it has been resurrected with new owners and a new focus on building fun, aggressive, American-made bike hard tails, with hints of more to come in the future. We got our first look at the three new models made in Austin, Texas, from USA True Temper and 4130 Chromoly steel tubing. Each will be available as a frame-only or in a few complete build options.

Ursa

The Ursa his hard to miss, with its 29×3 Maxxis Chronicle tires (which have not been officially “released” but are on several bikes here at Interbike.) The frame uses a number of custom machined bits like the chainstay brake bridge and seatstay bridge. It has a 69.5 degree head tube angle and a 44mm head tube for straight or tapered steerer tubes.

Unlike full fat bikes or it’s Surly Krampus forbearer, the Ursa is built around downhill sized parts, including a 150mm rear axle and 83mm bottom bracket shell. That should mean there are plenty of “normal” parts to choose from, but it gives more chain clearance on the small chainring around the big tires. There is an ISCG mount around the threaded bottom bracket shell too, giving plenty of build options. It can even run a dropper post.

MSRP is $1,195 for the frame.

---

Stella

The Stella is a “traditional” 29er frame, designed for everything from fast XC racing to bikepacking. Here you’ll find old-school touches like 70.5 degree head tube angle, a threaded bottom bracket and straight 1 1/8-inch head tube, which might limit your fork choices. Like the Ursa, the Stella has Paragon Machine Works sliding dropouts, available in either a 142×12 thru axle or QR option, so you can run single speed or gears.

Out back you’ll find rack mounts if you want to load up and head for the woods, or you can choose Chumba’s Backcountry adventure kit with a set of made in the USA frame bags from Wanderlust Gear. To keep you comfy over the long haul it is designed to fit a 2.35 tire.

It too retails for $1,195.

---

Rastro

The Rastro is the trail bike, with 27.5 wheels, a long front center, short 16.7-inch chainstays, and a 67.5 degree head tube angle. It too has stainless Paragon dropouts, but they are a fixed 142×12.

Chumba worked with Fox to choose to spec the 34 series fork with 140mm of travel. The 44mm head tube means you’ll have plenty of other choices to use too.

With a 31.6mm seat tube it is dropper post ready and looks like a lot of fun. The frame will retail for $1,100.

---

Ursa Major

Not at Interbike but teased on the Chumba website is the Ursa Major, a full-sized fat bike. Stay tuned this winter for more on that!