Patrick Morewood, a co-founder of Morewood Bikes, confirmed the launch of a solo project called, PYGA Industries.

The new bicycle manufacturer plans to hit the market in May 2012 with two 29ers. Morewood will show the designs toward the end of January 2012.

Earlier this year, Morewood, a former three-time South African downhill champion, announced his departure from the brand that carries his name. He spent the last decade helping to build the company into an internationally known property from his hometown of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

His departure may have come as a surprise to many, but Morewood said it was time for a new challenge. “I’ve been hard at work these last few months dreaming up what I want to create and build,” said Morewood. “I’ve got a great team of friends around me—all experts in their own fields—to help me make this dream a reality. I’m really excited about this fresh start and getting to build new bikes.”

Morewood says that PYGA Industries will build bikes that fit his current passion for trail riding. “Cycling as a way of life is a wonderful privilege, as is designing and creating new bikes,” he said. “Starting a family and being out of the racing scene, I find myself riding with friends more and more, I spend more time on the trail than I do on race tracks, so that’s my focus right now. I’d like to say that I build top-level bikes that are made for riders. Sure you can race them too, and they’ll race well, but if you use them every day it’ll make me even happier.”

The first PYGAs—released in limited numbers—will be a 110mm 29er trail bike, and a 29er hardtail. “We will build bikes that above all else work exceptionally well, my belief remains: function first, then form,” said Morewood. “This is the heart of PYGA Industries.”

Currently, PYGA offers no word on what the full suspension design will look like, however, Morewood Bikes, which Morewood (the man) is no longer affiliated, use a single pivot design for their 100mm travel Zula, and Dave Weagle’s Split-Pivot design for the 150mm travel Sukuma.

In addition to the two initial 29in bikes, PYGA have plans to release a longer travel model later in the year. “We’ll also be building something that moves up in travel and possibly down a wheel size shortly,” he said, not disclosing the style of bike or wheel size. “Not to say that 26-inch bikes don’t have their place, but PYGA needs to start somewhere.”

PYGA is aims to provide complete bikes (frames and build-kits), as well as framesets direct to riders through the PYGA website, which they say, gives riders the best value and quality.