First Look: Actofive I-Train

Apr 20, 2023
by Seb Stott  
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Active is a small German brand best known for their CNC-machined P-Train enduro bike. Today they're launching something quite different. The aptly named I-Train is for people who like to pedal. "We designed it to be extremely active, ultra-efficient and super fun, no matter what direction the trail points," says Actofive.

It's a highly adaptable bike, which can offer 105mm or 115mm with a 29" rear wheel, or 125mm of travel with a 27.5" back wheel (mullet setup). These options are enabled by three different rocker links and a longer shock for the 125mm mullet mode. It's designed to be run with 120-140 mm forks to suit the intended use, and can accommodate coil or air shocks.

Here's how Actofive suggest setting up the I-Train for three different riding styles:
I-TRAIN Details

• Intended use: XC / Downcountry / Trail
• Travel: 105mm/115mm/125mm (r) / 120-140 mm (f)
• 29" or Mullet
• 7075 CNC-machined front, Nicolai-made rear triangles
• 66°± 1° head angle, 77° seat angle
• 2.750 g claimed frame weight (excl. shock)
• Anodized colours or raw aluminium
• 450mm / 470mm / 500mm Reach
• 4.950,00 EUR (Inc VAT) for a frame excl. shock
• Guarantee: 5 Years
• www.actofive.com

➤ 105MM rear travel (190x45 [MM] shock) and recommended 120MM front suspension are
best suited for maximum speed and efficiency on XC and Downcountry rides.
➤ 115MM rear travel (190x45 [MM] shock) and recommended 130MM front suspension for
efficient, all-day-epic, trail focused rides.
➤ 125MM rear travel (MULLET only, 210x50 [MM] shock) and recommended 140MM front
suspension make it playful and yet efficient for those man-made obstacle-focused rides.


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Geometry

The geometry is highly adjustable too. An angle headset makes it possible to adjust the head angle by +/- 1°, plus a flip chip on the rocker link offers a NEUTRAL, HIGH and LOW mode. This alters the BB height by ± 4 mm and the head and seat angles by a further ± 0.3°. Changing the fork travel by 10 mm alters the frame angles by another 0.45°. Simple, right?

Taken together, if I've done my maths right that means the head angle could be as slack as 64.25° and as steep as 67.75°.


photo

Construction and features

The mainframe is CNC-machined from high-strength 7075-T6 aluminium. Actofive machine thin shell elements and bond them together by adhesive to form a hollow construction. They claim the main triangle weighs just 1,200 g. It's mated to a handcrafted rear end made by another German frame fabricator, Nicolai, for a total claimed weight of 2.750 g without shock.

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The cables can be run internally or externally, or internally through the mainframe and externally through the rear, as shown. There's room for a bottle above the downtube and below the top tube. Plus, Actofive have made a neat custom frame bag that bolts into the front of the main triangle. It runs a SRAM UDH hanger.

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Yep, that's definitely a Nicolai rear triangle.

You can configure your colour choice on Actofive's website, including mixed colours or a raw finish. The colours are anodised onto the frame before the parts are bonded together.


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Suspension

Actofive have gone for a generous amount of anti-squat to help it feel firm and efficient under power. This is a good thing in my view because some short-travel bikes squander their efficiency advantage with low anti-squat values, making them pedal no better than some well-designed enduro bikes.

The linkage is on the progressive side of things, especially in the mullet mode, so it should provide plenty of support and bottom-out resistance.


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Pricing and availability

It's currently only available as a frame, for 4.950,00 EUR without shock. Shocks start from €420 for a Fox FLOAT DPS Performance 3pos Evol, and run to €835 for an EXT Storia V3 + Spring.

Delivery time is estimated at 12-20 weeks

For more, go to www.actofive.com.


photo


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Downcountry Bikes Actofive


Author Info:
seb-stott avatar

Member since Dec 29, 2014
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75 Comments
  • 83 4
 Yeah, sure, 4.950,00 EUR for a frame with no shock.... Everyday!
  • 50 8
 I'm starting to think East Germany had a point.
  • 20 0
 Not a problem, you have 12-24 weeks after you spend that money to make some more money for the rest of the bike before it shows up. That's 6 paychecks at least!
  • 11 0
 But no headset cable routing. That should please PBers. Lol.
  • 8 1
 In US dollars this is what about $5,500 then add a shock and you are at over $6,000. This and 12-20 weeks for a Horst link frame.
  • 3 1
 @tacklingdummy: Can't have internal headset routing if you make the headtube a mobius strip [Taps forehead]
  • 6 1
 @jdendy: Yeah...

But you need to factor in that it's f*cking sexy
  • 13 2
 WeAreOne frame, also hand made in a country with labour standards, and comes with a shock: 5,674.00 cad (3838 euro)

I'm not sure how any of these other boutique guys stay in business. Who buys this stuff?
  • 3 2
 THIS COMPANY ---> BANKUPT
  • 2 1
 Me: *comes to make U-Train joke, because why would I-train?*
Me also: *sees the price of the frame and realizes the company itself is a joke.*
  • 4 0
 @jdendy: Keep in mind that US customers don't pay VAT so that will save about $1k. Still expensive though. You make it sound like there is something wrong with an expensive frame using Horst link. It's arguably the best suspension design on the market.
  • 1 0
 I mean, it's only the second most expensive frame released on PB today... Big Grin

(That I have seen, at least)
  • 2 0
 @aks2017: The Epic World Cup comes with the shock, fork and seatpost though in the frame cost. (not defending the cost of either)
  • 1 2
 @93EXCivic: yeah, you’re correct. So let’s agree that both are wildly expensive, and the Specialized might be a slightly better bang for the buck??

Both ridiculous lol.

Also both are probably more expensive than a 93 EX Civic
  • 48 0
 Would an Actofive ebike be called the I-Don't-Train?
  • 42 0
 I think the Nicolai rear end with its edgy looks and the machined front do not match looks-wise. Either use some oval tubing for the rear or machine it as well. Also, the price is a joke.
  • 21 0
 My first thought, that looks a lot like a Nicolai Saturn. "Rear Triangle made by Nicolai," it is literally a Nicolai Saturn's half brother, fair enough. Except it's nearly twice as expensive, so it's Nicolai's trust fund baby.
  • 1 0
 As soon as i saw the rear der. hanger, i opened up Chrome's "Search" function and wrote Nicolai. Lovely bike indeed
  • 12 0
 Nicolai is awesome, but their style seems opposite that of the totally smooth and flowing front triangle. I like both styles, but they look a little odd together on the same bike.
  • 20 0
 Looking at the huge piece of aluminum it's machined from, I really question why this sort of frame manufacturing technique is gaining popularity. It does make a cool looking bike, but how is that cost effective? (Judging by the price, it's not.) What becomes of all that extra aluminum - are they able to sell it back to a scrapyard for recycling?
  • 7 0
 I think the scrap is recycled, yes. Aluminium is pretty easy and economical to recycle.
  • 3 0
 Also Simon is making several smaller parts now, link cranks and chain rings. I think he's making use of pretty much of the material.
  • 4 2
 @seb-stott: I know aluminum is a very valuable metal and easily recycled, but the discrepancy between buying a new block of 7075 vs selling the excess to a scrapyard for recycling seems like it would at least partially account for the high price of the frame. It's a beautiful boutique frame, which is worth a lot by itself, but (and I'm not engineer or product designer) this still seems like a very wasteful manufacturing technique. I mean, that frame uses about 10% of the block if that, and even if some of the remaining block is uses for other parts, it sure looks like about 75% of that material is going right back to the scrapyard. Surely this is not economical?
  • 1 0
 @Lokirides: Surely it's not economical or as "environmentally friendly" as everyone seems to claim Aluminum is vs. Carbon. Even assuming every unused scrap of the metal is recycled, the amount of energy to make the block, cut the frame, and then recycle the metal has got to be astronomical.
  • 2 0
 Just wait until you hear about aerospace parts!
I've designed plenty where the finished piece weighs less than 5% of the plate it started with.
  • 14 0
 It used to be funny to read the disparaging comments about outrageously priced frames. Now its just depressing how commonplace it is.
  • 3 0
 Disparaging comments, or outrageously priced frames? Which of the two is more common?
  • 2 0
 Here, on Pinkbike? It's a tie between disparaging comments and outrageous frame prices.
I looked at this frame and immediately liked it. Then I looked at the price. Pfffft, well worthy of disparagement.
  • 10 0
 Test it against the Nicolai Saturn to see if it is worth the extra money...
  • 8 1
 Say what you want about the looks, I think it's gorgeous.
  • 7 4
 Not for 5000$ without a shock it doesn't.
  • 1 1
 Not with the mis-matched rear triangle it's not
  • 5 1
 2750g total weight without shock. 1200g front triangle. So the rear triangle/link must be 1550g. Hmm...something's a bit off there.
  • 2 0
 TRADE OFFER:
Actofive gets: 4.950,00 EUR
You get: A frame with no shock after 20 weeks

Jokes aside it's truly a beautiful bike, and anyone complaining about price somehow doesn't realise it's extremely boutique.
  • 1 0
 Bike designers take note: Notice how the rear chainstay connect to the seat stay and the clearance with the chain in the lower gear. Not a new idea but a bloody simple way to help against chain slap.
  • 2 0
 I’ve said it before, how do you make someone think they’re purchasing the best thing out there? Put a stupid price on it.
  • 1 0
 Yes, it's called prestige pricing.
  • 2 0
 Veblen Goods.
  • 3 0
 Welp! Please PB, that kind of bikeporn should have a NSFW disclamer!!!
  • 2 0
 Frame uniqueness aside, can we talk about the Ingrid RD? Any real world reviews out there?
  • 3 0
 Looks incredible. That price though.
  • 2 1
 Price aside, that's a great looking bike. I'd love the 140/125 mullet set up for my local trails with coil shock and 36 up front.
  • 2 0
 I don't see a advantage to this construction technique except you can charge more
  • 1 0
 I love the extra bosses for mounting bags inside the triangle. It may not be hidden like SWAT or Glovebox, but it's super practical to have a bag to store stuff.
  • 1 0
 You think they use the same adhesive Shimano uses for their HollowTech cranks? Now wonder there's only a 5 year warranty.
  • 1 1
 Wow that is amazing. Can’t believe I’d want paint on this other than a polished finish with a clear coat.

With a fine layer of mud and dust of course.
  • 2 0
 That is one beautiful bike.
  • 2 0
 Stunning front triangle but god its expensive
  • 1 0
 Front triangle is NICE, rear triangle has big welds and zip ties! On a $5000+ frame!
  • 1 0
 I like it a lot but that sta is for longer travel bikes, not xc/trail short travel bikes like this.
  • 2 0
 Over $5000 USD for a frame w/o shock. Never.
  • 1 0
 You whiners are all lucky you're not into high end watches. Try ordering a rolex or a royal oak.
  • 2 0
 That's hot!
  • 1 0
 No matter how much I-Train, I'd still be an ugly guy on a gorgeous bike...
  • 2 3
 I think this is one of the best looking frames on the market (maybe except of the welded rear triangle). Work of art, and priced accordingly Smile .
  • 8 11
 You have to breathe in a lot of stinky mouth fumes and drill a lot of holes in teeth to be able to afford it. Id rather keep my mentally demanding job, earn less and avoid peoples' rotten breath. Or even worse - becoming a lawyer.
  • 6 2
 I doubt either was ever a possibility
  • 1 0
 gonna need to buy some more water bottles
  • 1 0
 Expensive? Yes. Beautiful? Yes.
  • 2 0
 Fine looking machine.
  • 1 1
 wtf is this..... all this investment for selling no bikes (price....)

THROWING MONEY THROUGH THE WINDOW
  • 1 0
 what derailleur is that??
  • 1 0
 Ingrid
  • 1 0
 @barp: cool thanks
  • 1 0
 If only I were a dentist...
  • 1 0
 what happened? the front looks awesome the rear not so much.
  • 1 0
 Looks great but I'll wait for the I don't train.
  • 1 0
 4.950 for a bike, that's reasonable, sort of! oh wait...
  • 1 0
 Literally the sickest looking bike ever
  • 1 0
 They need to release A-Train road bike
  • 1 1
 Primitive cable routing….
  • 1 0
 I - don't want it.
  • 1 2
 Flo Rida - T-Pain - Low

youtu.be/U2waT9TxPU0
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