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UNpaved Cycles and Manitou Shine at Craft Bike Days 2025
Dec 30, 2025
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Craft Bike Days 2025 was once again a celebration of bespoke design, artisan craftsmanship, and forward-thinking bicycle innovation
One bike in particular captured the imagination of riders and builders alike. From the Netherlands, UNpaved Cycles brought a radical trail prototype to the show that stood out not just for its bold geometry, but for the way it married handcrafted ingenuity with world-class suspension performance. Held as part of MTB-News.de’s flagship event, Craft Bike Days saw over 40 exceptional bikes on display, each representing a unique approach to mountain biking from artisans and boutique builders across Europe. From high-pivot steel trail bikes to 32″ wheel monsters and elegant bespoke builds, the event continues to be a nexus for new ideas and handcrafted excellence.
The UNpaved Cycles XP2: A Radical Trail Concept
UNpaved’s XP2 prototype was one of the most talked-about machines at the event, showcasing how far modern trail bike geometry can be pushed while still maintaining balance and rideability. With an extremely slack head angle, long reach, and balanced weight distribution, this steel-framed trail bike demonstrated a commitment to pushing boundaries: not for trend, but for performance exploration. But what truly elevated the display was the way the build harmonized that raw concept with components engineered for real-world versatility and performance: none more so than the Manitou Mattoc Pro Limited Edition fork.
Mattoc Pro Limited Edition — Heritage Meets Tunable Performance
On display as part of UNpaved’s prototype build was the Manitou Mattoc Pro Limited Edition suspension fork; a striking homage to some of the earliest Manitou forks, complete with vertical logo and classic silver colorway that resonates with enthusiasts of cycling history. But this fork isn’t just about throwback aesthetics; it blends that heritage with modern performance that speaks directly to today’s demands on trail and all-mountain bikes.
Designed to deliver premium suspension performance across a wide range of riding styles, the Mattoc platform is the result of one of the most thoughtful development cycles in Manitou history. Rather than follow fleeting trends, the Mattoc was engineered to provide meaningful, tangible benefits, from small-bump compliance to mid-travel support, that enhance confidence and capability on varied terrain.
The limited edition version celebrates the brand’s roots while offering modern adjustability too. Out of the box it’s configured for 140 mm of travel, but with included internal travel spacers it can be tuned between 110 mm and 150 mm to suit everything from XC-leaning trail bikes to more aggressive all-mountain builds.
Why It Matters at Craft Bike Days
What made UNpaved’s bike more than just a prototype on display was how it integrated this level of suspension sophistication into a hand-built frame. In a space where many bikes are celebrated for their aesthetics, geometry, or artisanal composition alone, the inclusion of a component like the Mattoc underscored a crucial point: performance and versatility are just as foundational as craftsmanship. The Mattoc’s ability to adapt to different terrain profiles, coupled with its tunable nature, makes it a perfect match for a project like the XP2. Riders and builders who stopped by the UNpaved display could immediately understand how a component born from deep engineering philosophy can elevate even the most unconventional frame concept.
Craft Bike Days: A Celebration of Innovation
Craft Bike Days continues to stand out as a platform where builders don’t just show bikes, they spark conversations about where the future of mountain biking is going. The atmosphere is rich with discussion around geometry trends, frame materials, suspension choices, and how different design philosophies intersect. UNpaved’s presence, paired with the classic yet modern performance of the Manitou Mattoc Pro Limited Edition, exemplified this perfectly: a melding of forward-looking ideas with tried-and-true suspension engineering.
