- Domahidy Designs

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KTM’S AMERICAN BIKE DEBUT: BIG HIT?
MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION
MARCH 2015
FOES RACING:
HOW IT ALL BEGAN,
HOW IT KEEPS GOING
• MARCH 2015 • www.mbaction.com • KTM FINALLY IN AMERICA
BY POPULAR DEMAND
SPECIALIZED ENDURO
GOES 27.5
TESTED: GT HELION
A SWEET CLIMBER THAT
CAN DO MUCH MORE
BONTRAGER:
MAKING TUBELESS
INFLATION EASY
Attn retailer: Please
display until March 5
$5.99
BIKE TEST / DOMAHIDY TI
DOMAHIDY
DESIGNS
TITANIUM
29ER
When design means everything
D
omahidy Designs is a brand-new mountain bike company
fresh off a successful Kickstarter campaign, and they have
a remarkably simple mission statement: to make incredibly
fun bikes. The company was founded by Steve Domahidy, a rider
who is no stranger to bike design. As the co-founder of Niner,
he worked as the head of research and development for the bigwheeled brand for a number of years and, as a result, holds five
patents, including the CVA suspension design Niner currently
uses on its full-suspension bikes. Domahidy Designs sprang from
Steve’s desire to return to his roots and once again build incredible
mountain bikes.
WHO IS IT MADE FOR?
Domahidy’s hardtail bikes are built for the mountain bike purist.
The bikes exude a level of craftsmanship that’s typically reserved
for custom bikes in a “production bike” package. Everything from
the neat-as-a-pin welds to the perfectly executed paint job to
the customizable dropouts screams quality. Riders looking for a
long-term hardtail friend should give Domahidy a serious look.
Domahidy currently only builds two models: one from Reynolds
853 chromoly steel and one from titanium, like the bike tested
here.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
The Domahidy Ti takes the same geometry as the steel model
and swaps the tubes for titanium. The frame is designed to take
advantage of the material’s “springy” nature by offering compliance where it’s needed and stiffness where it’s not. The bike
comes stock with versatile slider-style dropouts for either geared
or single-speed use. The frame comes with all the same features
as the steel bike but with an additional upgrade to titanium bolts
for the dropouts. The frame also features a threaded 73-millimeter bottom bracket, custom tapered head tube, full-length cable
housing, and clean aesthetics that will have both old-schoolers and
new-schoolers turning their heads on the trails.
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Domahidy’s Giveback Program
Every single Domahidy Designs frame will come
with a free one-year IMBA membership and a
free set of IMBA socks. Customers who purchase
a Domahidy Designs frame will get a card with a
unique number on it. All they have to do is call or
e-mail IMBA with the card number and the IMBA
membership will go live and the socks will be in the
mail. Those who already have IMBA memberships
will be able to add a year of membership to their
existing account and still receive the free socks.
“Steve Domahidy’s partnership with IMBA is an
example for every bike business,” says Rod Judd,
IMBA’s Associate Director of Membership and
Development. “IMBA exists for its members. They
fund our vital work, and we work to improve riding
for them. By introducing mountain bikers to the
association, Steve is growing the sport and giving
customers another reason to buy a Domahidy
Designs. It’s a win-win.”
Well-rounded machine: You
could use it as a race bike, or you
could use it as a trail bike. Either
way, the Domahidy will leave you
with a smile on your face.
MARCH 2015 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION
61
BIKE TEST / DOMAHIDY TI
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
The attention to detail is the standout on this bike. It features
super-svelte hydraulic cable guides all around with full-length
external housing. This makes it very easy to change and more
resistant to grit and contaminants. It also allows the rider to
remove the cable guides on the downtube when converting from
geared to single-speed. The entire length of cable housing and
guides can be removed, leaving a super-clean frame behind.
SRAM’s XX1 drivetrain is a workhorse that’s both lightweight
and durable. Whether you’re planning to race this bike or simply use it as a lightweight trail bike, the XX1 will not disappoint.
Industry Nine wheels provide a snappy-feeling hub engagement
paired with light rims and spokes. These hoops further improve the
bike’s already quick-feeling nature.
HOW DOES IT PERFORM?
Moving out: Domahidy built this bike to fund its Kickstarter
campaign. As you would expect, it’s decked out with top-end
components as the bait to trip the trigger for potential investors.
Fortunately, Domahidy made it through the initial Kickstarter
phase and is now in full production, so you can buy a Domahidy
just like this one, or pretty much any other way you would like it
built. That’s the beauty of a Domahidy—it gives you the feel of a
full-custom build with the cost advantages of a production frame.
Pedaling: The Domahidy delivers just enough stiffness during
pedaling. The frame is stiff enough to exude confidence for all
but the strongest “T-Rex quads” sprinters and Clydesdale riders;
however, what we like about this bike most is the inherent compliance the titanium lends to the ride quality. Long grinder climbs are
rewarded with a relatively supple ride that won’t rattle the fillings in
your teeth. The bike delivers stiffness where it needs to and keeps
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creature comforts in mind. Riders who love long days in the saddle
will love this bike.
Climbing: Hardtails climb better than any full-suspension bike.
Sure, there are situations where a technical ascent is helped
by the charge-and-hope-for-the-best approach full-suspension
bikes afford, but if you’re talking pure efficiency, there’s no better
machine than a hardtail. The Domahidy’s aggressive geometry
puts the rider in a forward-biased, efficient position on the climbs,
but also keeps the front end planted on steep ascents.
Cornering: The sharp and quick handling manners of the
Domahidy make it corner like a classic hardtail. The quick and
nimble handling will suit an advanced rider’s skills better than a
novice’s. Once a rider is used to the tight geometry, the Domahidy
handles like a slot car that knifes through switchbacks with ease,
both when climbing and descending, leaving slacker bikes in the
dust.
Descending: The Domahidy was built as an efficient and fast
bike first, but it doesn’t throw descending prowess out the window
to achieve it. The frame has a natural “springy” feel that’s more
forgiving than typical carbon race frames, which often feel harsh
as a buckboard. The Domahidy won’t do all the work for you, but
pointed down a technical trail, this bike will deliver confidence to a
skilled pilot.
Braking: SRAM’s XX1 brakes provide plenty of stopping power
on the trail, although the lever feel is slightly inconsistent on long
descents. While the brakes didn’t suffer from power fade, the feel
is less precise than SRAM’s trail brake, the Guide. We also experienced some brake squeal in wet conditions, although it certainly
wasn’t a deal-breaker and seemed to remedy itself once the brake
dried off.
BIKE TEST / DOMAHIDY TI
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
Domahidy knows its core customer, and that’s exactly who this
bike is built for. The narrow bars and small tires fit right into the
mix seamlessly; however, riders looking for a trail bike rather than
a race bike may prefer a wider bar and tires with a little more air
volume for more forgiveness on rocky trails.
The Fizik Tundra saddle is on the harsh side. Riders and
racers concerned about weight over comfort will be right at home.
Everybody else should plan to swap this minimalist saddle for
something more comfortable.
BUYING ADVICE
The Domahidy is a hardtail enthusiast’s dream. The sharp handling manners and supple feel make this bike an ideal choice for
cross-country riders looking for a lifetime companion. The triedand-true geometry is quick and feels as if it’s reading your mind
on the trail.
The top-notch construction in everything from the weld quality
to the striking paint job to the nearly perfect frame alignment
makes this bike worth the price. Sure, Steve Domahidy will build
you a bike with a build kit that will take less of a toll on your wallet,
and it will still have all of the well-designed details this bike does.
His steel frames are more than likely just as dialed as this titanium
monster he sent us; however, this titanium frame matched with the
dialed kit makes for a bike that will be difficult to send back. Hey,
Steve, if you’re reading this, the bike is “in the mail.” ❏
Quick in the corners: The bike’s geometry is reminiscent of
the hardtails of old, with a handling manner that will make
both racers and enthusiasts happy. In the hands of a skilled
pilot, this bike is a serious weapon.
DOMAHIDY Ti
Titanium elegance: Steve
Domahidy poured his soul into
these frames, and his passion
shows through in the details.
Everything from the ultra-neat
welds to the innovative dropouts and cable routing to the
dialed component package is
clearly planned by a man who
knows what he’s doing.
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Price
Weight
Frame tested
Bottom bracket height
Chainstay length
Top tube length
Head tube angle
Seat tube angle
Standover height
Wheelbase
Suspension travel (front)
Suspension travel (rear)
Frame material
Fork
Shock
Rims
Hubs
Tires
Saddle
Seatpost
Handlebar
Brakes
Front derailleur
Rear derailleur
Shifters
Crankset
Chainrings
Cassette
Pedals
$6899 (complete), $2299 (frame only)
22.6 pounds
Large (19")
12.8"
17.1"
24.5"
71.5º
73º
32”
43.3"
4", 100mm
None
Titanium
Rockshox SID RCT3
None
Industry Nine
Industry Nine
Schwalbe Racing Ralph (29” x 2.2")
Fizik Tundra
Raceface Next
Raceface Next (28.5”, 720mm)
SRAM XX1
None
SRAM XX1
SRAM XX1 Gripshift
SRAM XX1
SRAM XX1 (34t)
SRAM XX1 (10-42)
None (weighed with Shimano XTR trail)