Patrick Morewood, the ex-designer/frame builder and co-founder of Morewood Bikes has confirmed that he has launched a new bicycle brand – PYGA Industries.
29ers will be the first bikes to roll out of the PYGA plant in mid-January 2012 for testing/viewing and subsequently being able to buy direct online in May.
(Not sure what the acronym PYGA stands for yet, Pietermariztburg Youth Gymnastic Association, short for pygmy-but that’s short anyway, or Latin for rump/buttocks?)
A NEW RIDE FOR PATRICK MOREWOOD
Earlier this year, Morewood, who, over the past decade, helped build an internationally successful mountain bike brand from his hometown of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, announced his departure from the brand that carries his name. The move came as a surprise to many, but for Morewood, it was time to move on to different challenges and look for new opportunities in the dynamic bike landscape.
“I’ve been hard at work these last few months dreaming up what I want to create and build. I’ve got a great team of friends around me – all experts in their own fields – to help me make this dream a reality. I’m really excited about this fresh start and getting to build new bikes,” said Morewood, a former three-time South African downhill champion.
“Cycling as a way of life is a wonderful privilege, as is designing and creating new bikes. Starting a family and being out of the racing scene, I find myself riding with friends more and more – I spend more time on the trail than I do on race tracks, so that’s my focus right now. I’d like to say that I build top-level bikes that are made for riders. Sure you can race them too – and they’ll race well – but if you use them every day it’ll make me even happier.
“We will build bikes that above all else work exceptionally well, my belief remains; function first, then form. This is the heart of PYGA Industries,” explained Morewood. “There is a lot of techno-stuff being thrown around by bike designers lately causing confusion and clutter. We want to go to the heart of what we believe rides and works well. I guess every brand has its own ideas and theories! We’re not going to be releasing new bikes every year to keep up with trends.”
The first PYGA – released in limited numbers – will be a 110mm 29er trail bike. Morewood also confirmed a 29er hardtail.
“We’ll also be building something that moves up in travel and possibly down a wheel size shortly,” he smiled, but wouldn’t disclose the style of bike or smaller wheel size. “Not to say that 26-inch bikes don’t have their place, but PYGA needs to start somewhere.”
The bikes are planned for viewing and test-riding mid-January 2012, with production being planned for a May 2012 release. PYGA is aiming to provide bikes (frames and build-kits) as well as framesets, direct online so that riders can get the best value and quality possible.
If you’d like to follow the making of the bikes and development of the brand, head over to the site and blog at www.pygaindustries.com
