At the time of writing this blog, I’ve been riding the Clean K1 Short Edition for nine months. That feels like the perfect amount of time to give you a real sense of how the bike performs, how it feels, and what I love most about it.

Why I Chose the K1 Short Edition

Back in late 2024, when I was deciding on my next bike, I knew I wanted something short. During my first year on a 26” bike, I quickly learned how much of a game-changer a short wheelbase can be for competition riding and the type of obstacles we’re currently facing. A shorter wheelbase makes the bike far more nimble and responsive. For moves like wheel swaps from almost any position, it feels amazing—much closer to the agility of a 20” bike.

Free hub and Rear Wheel Setup

Another key feature I was looking for was the Clean free hub on the rear wheel. Since 2019, I’ve been modifying my bikes with Hope hubs, and I always noticed the huge benefits: super low rolling resistance and a more fluid feeling on bunnyhops, kickers, and even gaps. The reduced drag and the way the wheel carries inertia in the air creates an incredible sensation and makes the bike feel alive under you. Luckily, with the Clean bike the free hub comes as a standard feature—and wow, does it perform!

Cockpit Concerns and Setup

I’ll admit, I was initially concerned about the handlebar and stem setup. I’ve always been picky here, constantly swapping stems and bars to find the perfect position. That didn’t change with the Clean—I’ve tested four different handlebars and four different stems so far, all with slightly different geometries.

Right now, though, I’ve found a setup I really like: the Clean Big handlebars with a 107mm rise, paired with a 135mm stem at 20 degrees. What I enjoy most about this is that I can tilt the bars forward for a wrist-friendly but aggressive stance that gives me confidence on the front wheel and for vertical moves.

The Carbon Advantage

Let’s talk about carbon. Compared to aluminium, carbon is much lighter, which means the bike is faster and requires less effort to manoeuvre. But what surprised me most is how balanced it feels. My older bikes were often front-light (thanks to carbon forks and bars) but rear-heavy (due to aluminium frames and free hubs). The full carbon frame of the K1 finally evens things out.

Another bonus with carbon is repairability. As trials riders, crashes are inevitable, and in the past, I’ve dented aluminium frames beyond repair. Carbon, on the other hand, can be stripped back and relaid with new layers—sometimes coming back stronger than before. With carbon now so common in MTB, there are plenty of specialists out there who can handle these repairs. That was a reassuring discovery for me and adds to the bike’s long-term value.

Final Thoughts

The Clean K1 Short Edition is, in my opinion, the highest-spec 26” trials bike currently on the market—and it’s now back in stock. After nine months of riding, I can confidently say I’m really happy with it and feel like I’m reaching my best level yet. If you want to get the most out of your riding, your progression, and your confidence, having the right equipment makes all the difference.