Pace Cycles have released a chameleon into the wild in the form of their new RC429 steel hardtail that can be built in trail, downcountry or gravel variants.
Smaller and no less versatile little brother to the Pace RC529, the RC429 is a short travel trail, downcountry or gravel machine, depending on how you chose to build it.
Designed around a rigid fork or anything between 100 and 130mm travel and sporting some Reynolds 853 tubing, the new Pace RC429 is many bikes to many (wo)men. The frame is designed around 29 or 700c wheels only. Cable routing is external bar the stealth dropper routing. Proving its gravel and bikepacking chops is the multiple bag and rack mounts on the frame.
Frame only, rolling chassis and three build options will be available. The frame is £899 and is made in Europe. Complete builds come in T Pack (Trail), D Pack (Downcountry) and G Pack (Gravel). Large and Medium frames will be available in March 2024, XSmall and Small will be landing in June 2024. Pre-orders are now open.
Geometry is aimed at being progressive despite its intended use, in keeping with the other Pace offerings, like the RC429’s bigger sibling, the RC529. The RC429 is available in Small, Medium, Large and XLarge.
Reach on the Medium with a 130mm sagged fork is 453mm with a seat tube of 420mm. Head angle is 65 degrees with a 75 degree seat tube angle. Chainstays are 440mm.
