The Cleland riding philosphy

Geoff’s competition motorcycle observed trials experience was his key influence. In this sport, the competitive riding is done ‘standing on the pegs’. This position provides a high centre of gravity for manoeuvrability, allowing rapid and extreme upper-body moves to adjust balance, traction and steering, with a minimum of effort.

In his bicycle design, Geoff placed the saddle and handlebar so as to replicate this stance. The resultant upright riding position proves gentle on the wrists and perfect for low-speed riding. Unlike the Fairfax bikes, the Cleland design is not concerned with racing and ferocious dirt track descents. Its ethos is rather to keep going, whatever the terrain or difficulty of the conditions. It is designed for all-weather exploration, where you need to reach your destination without breaking down, getting stuck in mud or having to stop continuously for fallen logs that block the trail; all achieved with maximum riding efficiency and minimum rider fatigue. It could be considered the Land Rover, or farm tractor, of the mountain bike world; totally reliable with ultimate functionality.

Cleland’s Natural Environment

The conditions in the forests of the Chiltern Hills can be very technically demanding, for both bike and rider; deep heavy clay combines with wet chalk to produce a surface consistency akin to deep half-set cement mixed with the finest axle-grease. Water-filled ruts, slimy logs buried under wet leaf-litter, tree stumps and fallen boughs, tight, narrow bends with unexpected steep climbs and descents are typical. The Cleland’s tall and upright riding position allows for the rapid shifts in body weight needed for this kind of technical riding. It has a very high proportion of the rider’s weight over the rear wheel for traction control and the light front-end reduces dig-in and allows the wheel to easily climb logs and steps.

In its time, the Cleland Range-Rider was a remarkable cycle, responsive, sure-footed, and able ~ in the right hands ~ to clear almost any trail hazard. In October 1981, one of these machines was ridden up Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, and thus achieved ‘Bike of the Year’ status in the International Bicycle Guide. Despite this success, Geoff could not find financial backers for the bike’s production. Time and again he was told that off-road cycling had no commercial future.