A far cry from the carbon prototype we saw at Sea Otter in 2013, Morpheus was turning heads at Crankworx with their new DH bike. Having some fun with the name, the Conspiracy pokes at the pricing of competitively speced bikes with its premium build selling for less than $6k. That’s for a Sram X01 DH drivetrain, Race Face carbon cranks, top of the line Fox suspension, and premium Race Face cockpit parts. It even includes a full kit and goggles as well.
Even if the bike wasn’t priced so low, it would still be worth a look on the merits of the frame alone…
Starting the project 3.5 years ago with the prototype shown at Sea Otter, the new bike came as a result of working with Faction Bike Studio. Utilizing FEA among other design tools, the resulting frame is visually striking with a number of little details molded into the carbon. Designed around a 63 degree head tube angle and 650b wheels, the Conspiracy boasts a 6.5lb frame with a Fox air shock – lighter than some Enduro frames. Because you’re already thinking it, the complete premium build checks in at 33.5 lbs – all for $5400.
Morpheus says the frame is meant to be somewhere between the super long DH bikes and shorter park bikes, the Conspiracy has been designed to be poppy and fun. Essentially a bike that can be ridden fast, but not a World Cup rig that requires it to be ridden fast all the time.
Using a linkage driven single pivot with the rear pivot located on the chain stay below the axle similar to Horst links, the full carbon frame also includes an offset hollow carbon rocker link. The downtube is pierced and provides clearance for most shocks.
Behind a massive tapered head tube sits the internal cable routing, and one of the few house brand parts on the premium build is the adjustable Morpheus Direct Mount stem.
The Conspiracy includes built in protection for the downtube and chain stay, though it still relies on the fork’s bumpers. Frame details include a 157×12 Syntace axle (not shown), a pressfit DH bottom bracket, and post mount disc tabs with replaceable metal inserts.
The Conspiracy will be available in either premium build shown here for $5,395 which includes a Morpheus DH race kit and goggles, and it will also be sold in the standard complete for $3,895. There will also be a frame only option for $2,495. Technically still a prototype, production bikes should be available in early 2016.
