PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
After four or five years in existence it’s becoming hard to call Marshal Racing a ‘new’ French brand, afterall four years in BMX can feel like a lifetime. Over that time, they have been evolving and tweaking their alloy frames to a point where their Punisher V2 more closely resembled carbon than the 6061 T6 aluminium it was constructed from … which kinda had us wondering why not just go the whole hog and jump into carbon. And now they have. The SR71 Blackbird Supersonic will hit the streets on December 1st, in a Pro XL (21”) and ProXXL (21.5”), with a ProXXL (22”), and ProXXXL (22.5”) following in February 2025.
Lionel Ribiere, the President of the LRB Racing Group, told us, ‘Expanding into the carbon market has always been part of our medium-term plan. Carbon fibre offers several advantages, such as increased stiffness, reduced weight, and the ability to create complex shapes that are difficult to achieve with alloy’.
We were glad to hear that the new frame has been designed from the ground up over a two-year R&D period, and thankfully, relies on 100% new tooling. Nothing erks us more than seeing a ‘new’ frame hit the market that has clearly been sourced in a manufactures catalogue.
Marshal Racing have been unitising their experienced U23 Belgium rider, Mathis Carlier, during the development period to help dial in, and ‘optimize every aspect of the frame, from stiffness to responsiveness and comfort’. The new frame is ultimately constructed using a one-piece monocoque process rather than bonding sections together resulting in ‘optimal stiffness’ and enabling ‘better weight distribution while preserving the integrity of the frame’.
Visually, the SR71 Blackbird looks like a Marshal Racing frame, maintaing the brands aesthetic, although it’s clearly evolved. It’s low-slung feel, and low centre of gravity will fit perfectly into the Marshal line up. As the name would suggest, the frame has been inspired by the ‘iconic American spy plane, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird’.
‘The plane’s reputation for speed, agility, and cutting-edge technology made it a natural choice for our new carbon frame.’ Lionel told us, ‘The sleek design and advanced capabilities of the SR-71 inspired us to create an equally impressive bike … Beyond its name, we wanted to translate the entire aesthetic of a supersonic aircraft into this frame’.
Like all carbon frames to recently emerge, the SR71 Blackbird, introduces it’s take on the rear drop out, and they have gone further than most. The large ‘patented rear adjustment system’, dubbed the ‘Semi-Circular System’ by Marshal, provides a 50mm adjustment in 6 fixed positions for a 10mm rear axle, or 4 positions for a 15mm rear axle. While it may be complex looking when compared to the more traditional BMX dropout, Marshal tells us, ‘the system is quick and easy to adjust, without the need for any special tools. Tighten your wheel, and it will be immediately straight’, while guaranteeing ‘maximum rigidity at each setting, for optimal power transfer and better stability’.
The rear dropouts (can we call them that anymore?) have 7075 alloy machined reinforcements imbedded in the carbon to strengthen the entire area and maintain durability and stiffness especially when it comes to the forces required by the use of disc brakes. The integrated disc brake adapter is designed to be compatible with all market standards which is handy. The eagle eyed among you will have also noticed that the slot for the 80mm chain tensioner mounting is present on both sides. Marshal envisages the extra slot being used for the integration of ‘connected devices’ … imagine GoPro mounts and the likes. Don’t be surprised to see the ‘Semi-Circular System’ appear on future aluminium frames from the brand.
Marshal Racing describe the frames geometry as ‘aggressive’, telling us it’s ‘characterized by hydroformed tubes with specific sections, offering both stiffness and lightness. Its wheelbase and head angle give it exceptional handling, ideal for the most demanding riders. The chain path has been carefully designed to eliminate any frame contact and accommodate a gear ratio as high as 52×18. Although we drew inspiration from our alloy frames for some basics, the SR71’s geometry is unique. Carbon fibre allowed us to push the limits of design further, creating organic shapes and complex tube sections that optimize stiffness and resistance to stress. The result? A frame that combines the performance of a supersonic aircraft with the precision of a competition tool’.
Each frame comes with a unique serial number printed on the top tube along with a ‘USA Designed’ emblem … although with three Olympic medals we’d be embracing the ‘French-ness’.
The SR71 Blackbird will cost you €1890.00 when released, which will include the frame, the chain tensioner and the disc brake adapter.
More info on the Marshal Racing website.
Sizes available:
– PRO XL (21”) – CS MIN 360 mm / CS MAX 410mm
– PRO 2XL ( 21.5”) – CS MIN 360 mm / CS MAX 410mm
– Pro 3XL (22 “) – CS MIN 375 mm / CS MAX 425mm
– PRO 4XL (22.5 “) – CS MIN 375 mm / CS MAX 425mm
Colours:
– Gray
– Black Matte
– Pink
– Turquoise
Weight (ProXL): 1560 Gr ( +/- 2%)
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