it's grey (anodized slate), looks a bit brown due to crap iphone photo. this is the colour: http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/product/santacruz_nomad_slate_dhx_5_frame.jpg santa cruz class it as an all mountain - free ride frame. you can build it up as anything you want, it's got enough travel and is strong enough for downhill and freeride runs but is light enough to be built as a cross country or all mountain bike.