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].
Ibis introduces first eMTB
Better late than never, right? Of course I’m referring to the fact that Ibis announced the Oso electric mountain bike (not to be confused with the Diamondback El Oso fat bike) more than a week ago, and Singletracks didn’t mention it until now. This is the first eMTB for the brand, and it’s a big one: 170/155mm of travel front and rear, a 750Wh battery (650Wh on size small) paired with a Bosch motor, and a 53lb curb weight. The suspension can be swapped out to run as much as 190/170mm of travel front and rear. Oso means “bear” in Spanish and clearly this one is a beast!
- Price: $10,999.
- Buy from JensonUSA.
Wolf Tooth drops a new seat post
The Wolf Tooth Resolve is a brand new dropper post from the brand, and its self-bleeding cartridge promises to one up the bleed mechanism featured on the beloved Bike Yoke Revive. The post comes in 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters, and travel lengths ranging from 125mm to 200mm. Check out the video below to see how the self-bleeding cartridge works.
- Price: $349.95 (no remote)
- Buy from Wolf Tooth.
BMC updates Fourstroke models, introduces an ‘automatic’ dropper post
The BMC Fourstroke line of XC bikes just got a refresh with updated geo and optimized suspension. The top-of-the-line BMC Fourstroke 01 (pictured) features the brand’s new Autodrop seat post which can be lowered without having to squat, or sit on the seat. BMC says this saves racers precious time and energy during a race, though it doesn’t sound like it’s truly automatic as the rider must press a lever to raise or lower the seat.
- Price: $5,999 to $13,499 for the BMC Fourstroke 01. Fourstroke and Fourstroke LT bikes and build also available.
- Buy from BMC dealers.
Cérvelo announces their first mountain bike…
… and naturally it’s an XC hardtail. The Cérvelo ZHT-5 is a racey, lightweight mountain bike with an all-business 69° head tube angle and 74° seat angle. None of the builds ship with a dropper post, and it’s unclear if the frame is even routed for one. You know prices for high end mountain bikes have gotten out of hand when our first thought about the $9,000 price tag on this hardtail is, “that’s not too bad for a race bike.”
- Price: $9,000 for the XX1 build, $4,800 for the GX build.
- Buy from Cérvelo dealers.
New Pirelli Scorpion Race DH and EN tires
Pirelli has two new gravity tires on the market, Scorpion EN and a Scorpion DH for enduro and downhill. These include new tread patterns and casing types and a compound made specifically for racing. SmartEVO DH is a “super-soft, high-performance” compound for the outer tread and a supportive compound under the tread.
Pirelli has taken a different, if not confusing approach to the designation of the new tires and they will have a Mixed Terrain, Traction, Soft Terrain, and MUD edition to their DH and EN tires, giving each tire 3/4 different tread patterns since the MUD tread pattern is specific to the DH tire. The DH and EN tires will also have a DualWall+ dual ply casing available.
Between the Enduro and Downhill tires, and different tread patterns, there are six new versions available in both 27.5″ and 29″.
- Price: $99.
- Buy from Pirelli dealers.
The lightest Ergon grips yet: Ergon GXR
The Ergon GXR use proprietary AirCell rubber and ditch the lock-on hardware for a lightweight grip with an ergonomic shape. Buyers can choose from a 32mm or 34mm diameter based on their hand size.
- Price: $24.95
- Buy from Amazon.
Fox Proframe RS full-face helmet has MIPS Integra Split, Boa Retention
Fox Racing has a new version of their Proframe, the Proframe RS, which uses MIPS Integra Split and a Boa dial for a precise fit. Fox calls it their “Most advanced helmet” ever. MIPS Integra uses an EEP inner liner and an EPS outer layer. See the video for an animation on how the Integra system rotates around itself. The helmet is DH certified, comes with two sizes of cheek pads, and a new design increases breathability. The Proframe RS comes in seven colors and three sizes.
- Price: $359
- Buy from Fox Racing and JensonUSA.
Canfield Balance gets new builds and color for 2023
Canfield’s big travel Balance gets a new color and build kits for 2023. The Canfield Balance, a 169mm, 27.5″ bike, is now available in Goat’s Blood and Stealth Black colors and riders can get the bike with a 12-Speed drivetrain from TRP and an e*Thirteen Helix Race cassette. Canfield, an early advocate of shorter cranks, will offer the bike with crank lengths from 155mm to 170mm.
- Price: $5,300 complete, $1,700 frameset.
- Buy from canfieldbikes.com.
New Park Tool end cap crimping pliers
It’s hard to believe Park Tool doesn’t already have a tool for everything, but last week they released one that really caught our eye: the EP-1, End Cap Crimping Pliers. I don’t know why I (Jeff) have such a hard time crimping end caps properly, and as a result I’m always lose the end caps off my derailleur and dropper post cables. Hopefully this tool does the trick for me!
- Price: $29.95
- Buy from the Trek online store.
Nitrogen-injected Velo saddle
The new Velo Angel Revo makes use of a nitrogen-infused foam and more environmentally friendly materials. The Angel Revo also features Velo’s longest relief channel to date, giving the saddle an almost split appearance. We’ve got one in for test and will report on how it feels and performs later this fall.
- Price: $125
- Buy from velosaddles.us.
New Ridley Raft full suspension XC and trail bikes
Ridley claims to the be biggest bike brand in Belgium and they recently introduced the Raft, a full suspension XC/trail bike. The bike can be configured with either 100mm (XC) or 120mm (Trail) of travel and the carbon frames feature a Universal Derailleur Hanger and internal routing for a dropper post.
- Price: XC builds priced €4,199.00-7,799.00. Trail builds are €4,999.00-5,999.
- Buy from Ridley dealers.
Updated Evil Offering LS
Next in line for the Lightly Salted (LS) treatment is the Evil Offering, now offered in two limited edition colors and shipping with a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger. Evil is also announcing free, lifetime bearing replacements for 2022 bikes and newer going forward.
- Price: $8,299.
- Buy from evil-bikes.com.
New e*Thirteen Helix 24mm alloy cranks
e*Thirteen says the new Helix alloy cranks deliver enduro strength at trail weights thanks to an optimized design that CNC’d to perfection. The cranks come in 170mm and 175mm lengths and can be set up with a Boost or Super Boost chainline with rings ranging from 28t to 34t.
- Price: $119 (chainring sold separately)
- Buy from ethirteen.com.
Suunto 9 Peak Pro update
Suunto updated the Peak Pro smartwatch, improving battery life and designed to be repairable to maximize product life and minimize environmental impact. Check out our review of the Suunto 5 Peak published earlier this year.
- Price: $699 (titanium), $549 (steel)
- Pre-order from suunto.com.
Limited Edition Cane Creek Helm fork
Move over oil slick: Sunburst is the new new! This limited edition Cane Creek Helm MKII fork is dripping with Sunburst goodness and comes with a bolt-on fender. Buyers can get either the air or coil sprung version of this 29er fork, both of which are configured for 160mm of travel out of the box.
- Price: $1,099
- Buy from canecreek.com.
