Gear Watch Wednesday is a weekly update on the latest mountain bike gear releases and products that Singletracks has received for test. Have gear news to share, or products you’d like us to check out? Email [email protected].
BMC Fourstroke AMP LT e-bike
Hot on the heels of a refresh of the Fourstroke line, BMC has launched the all-new Fourstroke AMP LT electric mountain bike featuring a TQ drive system, the same lightweight and quiet system Trek is using in the new Fuel EXe. The BMC Fourstroke AMP LT features 120mm of dual link suspension and clearance for tires up to 2.4″ wide.
- Price: Builds priced $7,299-10,999.
- Buy from BMC dealers starting in December.
Filipino Heritage collection
October is Filipino American History month in the US, and Cadence has teamed up with Adrian Andrada and artist DJ Javier to produce this rad collection of shirts, bibs, hats, and jerseys to celebrate “the history, heritage, and culture of Filipinos worldwide.” The collection is titled “Tuloy Ang Laban” (in English, the fight continues) and 10% of the proceeds benefit Bikes For The Philippines, a non-profit that provides bikes to underprivileged students and adults.
- Price: T-shirts and hats from $32.
- Buy from cadencecollection.com.
Foxfolk Dirtskirt protects Stumpjumper lower link
Foxfolk developed the Dirtskirt to protect carbon frames — specifically 2019-2022 Stumpjumper and Stumpjumper EVO frames — from damage due to rocks and debris impacting the lower linkage. The Dirtskirt sticks to the frame without the need for zip ties and while for now the product only fits Stumpy bikes, it sounds like Foxfolk is open to creating Dirtskirts for other bike models if there is enough demand.
- Price: $29.99
- Buy from foxfolk.co
Updated Shimano RX8, new RX8R gravel shoes
Shimano has updated the RX8 gravel shoe, and added a new option dubbed the RX8R that adds a stretchy ankle cuff to keep gravel on the road and out of your shoe. Both versions feature a single BOA ratcheting lace system and this time around Shimano is offering half sizes so buyers can dial in the perfect fit.
- Price: $275 for RX8, $300 for RX8R.
- Buy from Shimano retailers soon. Prior-year models currently on sale at Backcountry.
Enve launches lifestyle clothing line
Last week Enve launched a new premium lifestyle collection last week with an emphasis on premium. Items like the $290 Primaloft Insulated Poncho pictured above are designed to look good and feel good off the bike, while the collection also includes more ride-friendly items like lightweight stretch pants and shorts and Merino t-shirts.
- Price: From $85 Merino tees to the $290 Primaloft Insulated Poncho.
- Buy from Enve.
Tifosi’s Breast Cancer Awareness Collection
On Wednesdays we wear pink — and for the rest of October! Tifosi Optics recently launched a Breast Cancer Awareness Collection of pink sunglasses with pink mirrored lenses. A portion of the sales from the Sizzle Crystal Peach Blush and the Shirley Crystal Pink Fade goes to the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation. The Tifosi Sizzle are fun and functional for multi-sport or everyday use and support a great cause! The frames are lightweight and ideal for small to medium faces.
- Price: $34.95
- Available: Tifosi Optics
Big discounts on Alchemy mountain bikes
Alchemy is offering big discounts on their Arktos mountain bikes this fall, slashing prices between $1,000 and $1,700. The carbon Alchemy Arktos 120, which Singletracks tested earlier this year, is currently priced starting at $4,499 ($1,000 off) and comes with a full Kashima-coated suspension and dropper post package. The longer-travel Alchemy Arktos 150 sees the biggest discounts with a $1,700 price drop across all the builds. Alchemy is also offering free assembly and delivery on all bikes.
- Price: Starting at $4,499.
- Buy from Alchemy.
DVO Topaz 3 improves sensitivity and frame clearance
DVO Suspension has updated their flagship shock, the Topaz. The Topaz Gen 3 has a stronger inner shaft and a new housing built around a transverse reservoir to aid in oil flow and improve frame clearance. An updated bladder system also improves small bump sensitivity, which is externally tunable.
The Topaz Gen 3 is available in both metric and trunnion sizes with T3 compression, dynamic rebound, positive and negative volume adjustment, and adjustable bladder pressure. The shock comes in a snazzy carry case and includes a shock pump plus quickly deployable volume spacers. We have one in for test so look out for a review in the coming months.
- Price: $550
- Buy from dvosuspension.com
