A downhill bike in backpack format – what started with an unusual idea, has become a recipe for success. As part of his mechanical engineering studies at the University of Kempten and a student project work Thomas Kaiser constructed a fancy prototype called “mountain monk”. He was supported by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the SportKreativWerkstatt, a competence center for sports innovations in Munich. The almost nine kilos lightweight combination of mountain bike and scooter is carried on a mountain tour packed in a backpack. Once at the top, the fully suspended downhill device is put together in just one to two minutes. Thereafter nothing stands in the way of an eventful “mountain monk downhill”. On rough paths you drive standing, on forest roads you can gently roll downhill while kneeling on the bike. The name “mountain monk” may surprise, but its origin is the logical consequence. One carries the wheel on the mountain, and kneels on the descent like a monk – “mountain monk”.

That the invention was not a fluke was proved by the winning of the ISPO BrandNew Award, which is considered a barometer for future trends. Together with the sports goods manufacturer Koga, the mountain monk was brought to mass production and then put on the market.