The Frameworks 2026 Downhill Bike represents a refined evolution of one of the most talked-about race-focused downhill platforms in recent years. Built with direct feedback from World Cup racing and continuous development, the latest version focuses less on radical redesign and more on improving frame quality, suspension consistency, geometry scaling, and overall ride confidence.  

This is not a downhill bike built around trends or marketing hype. Instead, it’s a machine developed with one clear goal: maximum downhill performance at race speed.  

The 2026 production bike, showcased through Anna Newkirk’s race setup, continues Frameworks’ philosophy of combining aluminum strength, carbon efficiency, and highly refined kinematics into a platform designed specifically for aggressive downhill riding.

Expanded Sizing: A Better Fit for More Riders  

One of the biggest updates for 2026 is the expansion of the size range.

Frameworks now offers:

• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Extra Large

Unlike many brands that simply stretch front-center dimensions, Frameworks scaled both the front and rear of the bike proportionally.

This proportional scaling is a major detail because it helps preserve the bike’s handling characteristics across all frame sizes.

Many downhill bikes feel balanced only in one specific size.  
Frameworks clearly wanted every rider to experience the same stability and confidence regardless of height.  

Geometry Focused on Stability and Confidence

The Frameworks DH bike continues with:

• A 63° head angle
• Low bottom bracket
• Tall stack height

According to the Frameworks team, the philosophy behind the geometry is simple:  
Put the rider low, stable, and centered in rough terrain.

The bike uses:

• 342mm bottom bracket height
• Long wheelbase
• Tall front end

This setup creates:  
✔ Stability at speed  
✔ Improved control in steep terrain  
✔ Confidence in rough sections

The low dynamic ride feel is especially important in modern World Cup downhill tracks, where riders are constantly dealing with high-speed compressions, braking bumps, and steep technical terrain.

Suspension Design: Refined Instead of Reinvented

Frameworks continues to use the same four-bar suspension platform developed over the past few seasons.

Rather than changing the entire system, the brand refined:

• Leverage curves
• Progression settings
• Suspension consistency

The result is a bike that prioritizes predictability and rider confidence.  

Adjustable Progression Settings

One of the standout features is the adjustable leverage ratio.

The bike offers:

• 30% progression
• 32% progression
• 34% progression

Most Progressive Setting:

Starts at 3.55:1 and ends at 2.25:1.

More Linear Setting:

Starts at 3.35:1 and ends at 2.25:1.

What this means on trail:

• More progressive = better bottom-out resistance
• More linear = more support and responsiveness on smoother tracks

The adjustment process is surprisingly simple:  
Remove the lower shock bolt and switch positions in seconds.

This gives racers flexibility depending on terrain and track style.  

Anti-Rise and Pedaling Characteristics

Frameworks paid close attention to anti-rise and anti-squat behavior.

Anti-Rise:

Around 75% through most of the travel.

This helps the bike:  
✔ Stay active under braking  
✔ Reduce excessive pitch  
✔ Maintain traction during steep descents

Meanwhile, the bike runs relatively high anti-squat values around sprinting zones, helping the bike feel supportive during standing acceleration.

Combined with the O-chain setup:

• Chain noise is reduced
• Pedal kickback is minimized
• Drivetrain feel becomes quieter and smoother

Frame Construction: Aluminum Meets Carbon

Frameworks continues its hybrid frame concept:

• 6061 aluminum front triangle
• Carbon fiber chainstay and seatstay
• 7075 CNC-machined linkage

For 2026, the company moved manufacturing to Genio in Taiwan, one of the most respected aluminum manufacturers in the industry.

This allowed Frameworks to:

• Use more advanced tube profiles
• Improve weld quality
• Refine frame finishing

Butted Tubing and Reduced Gussets

The new frame uses butted tubing:

• Thicker at weld areas
• Thinner in the middle

Benefits:  
✔ Increased strength  
✔ Reduced weight  
✔ Less stress concentration

Because of the stronger tubing construction, Frameworks removed several external gussets previously used around the head tube.

This improves:

• Frame aesthetics
• Structural efficiency
• Weld stress distribution

Hydroformed Seat Tube and Precision BB Design

Another major update is the hydroformed seat tube.

This allows:

• Strategic wall thickness placement
• Improved strength where needed
• Lower standover clearance

The new bottom bracket section also uses a two-piece clamshell design, later machined for extremely accurate pivot alignment.

This precision helps:  
✔ Improve suspension movement  
✔ Reduce friction  
✔ Maintain long-term frame alignment

Carbon Rear End: Reduced Unsprung Weight

Frameworks continues using carbon chainstays and seatstays developed with VIP Composites.

Advantages include:

• Reduced unsprung weight
• Better suspension sensitivity
• Accurate pivot alignment

This helps the rear wheel react faster to impacts while maintaining traction.

Finishing Details and Protection

The bike includes:

• Brushed and clear-coated finish
• Custom downtube protector
• Molded chainstay protector
• Integrated cable protection

Frameworks also includes premium small components such as:

• Burgtec seatpost clamp
• Burgtec rear axle
• UDH compatibility

These details reinforce the bike’s premium race-focused identity.

Real-World Ride Character

Everything about the Frameworks DH bike points toward:  
👉 High-speed confidence.

This is not a playful jib-focused bike.

Instead, it feels designed for:

• Stability
• Predictability
• Precision at race pace

The long wheelbase, low center of gravity, and refined suspension all contribute to a bike that should excel on steep and rough World Cup-style terrain.  

Pros and Cons  

The Frameworks 2026 Downhill Bike is a highly refined race machine that focuses on what matters most:  
👉 stability, suspension consistency, and rider confidence.

Instead of chasing trends, Frameworks doubled down on proven downhill fundamentals and improved nearly every detail around them.

For riders looking for a serious downhill platform capable of handling modern World Cup terrain, this bike looks extremely promising.  

Frameworks may still be a relatively young brand compared to major manufacturers, but the 2026 bike shows clear maturity in design and engineering.

This is a downhill bike built by racers—for racers.

And judging by the level of refinement here, Frameworks is becoming a serious name in the gravity racing world.