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].
Rocky Mountain adds mixed wheel link for Altitude
When Rocky Mountain released their latest generation Altitude, they mentioned the bike would have a modular link for future kinematics updates. Well, with the new MX Mount, they have their first update available. The MX link allows Altitude riders to convert the rear wheel to 27.5 and it works for the Altitude Powerplay too.
- Price: $136
- Available from Rocky Mountain
PNW’s new saddle bag is dropper compatible
The new PNW Satellite is a DWR-coated saddle bag that is said to be compatible with a dropper post. The Satellite has an adjustable hook and loop strap for the saddle rails and the removable bungee attachment is supposed to play nice with droppers. It weighs 55g according to the brand. Whether there is enough room between the bag and rear tires will depend on the bike.
- Price: $39
- Available from PNW.
Maxxis Forekaster gets aggressive makeover
Maxxis says they recently noticed a more-than-pin-sized hole in their light-duty trail tire lineup, so they decided to beef up the previously more XC-focused Forekaster. The updated Forekaster is designed to be more of an “all-rounder” that’s fast rolling while providing good climbing and braking traction. Look for the Forekaster in 29×2.4 and 29×2.6, and EXO and EXO+ versions initially, with other specs coming later.
- Price: $83
- Available at JensonUSA.
Unparallel announces new MTB shoes
FiveTen (now Adidas) isn’t the only shoe company that has found success with both grippy climbing and bike shoes. Unparallel is showing off their 2023 line at Eurobike this month, including the Dust Up flat pedal, DH show shown here.
- Price: TBD
- Availability unknown.
New, colorful Wheels Manufacturing bottom brackets
Buying a new bottom bracket usually isn’t exciting… unless it comes in colors! Wheels Manufacturing has a bunch of new bottom brackets compatible with DUB and Shimano standards in boring black and six other colors, including the poppin’ pink pictured here.
- Price: $100.28-123.99
- Available from Wheels Manufacturing.
Showers Pass new EcoLyte Elite
Showers Pass has a new jacket that the brand says is their most eco-friendly jacket to date. The Showers Pass EcoLyte Elite jacket is made from 100% recycled polyester and recycled vents and pocket zippers. The jacket also uses a low-temperature production and solvent-free lamination to further reduce the environmental impact.
The jacket is made for riding, has a full-zip front, a chest pocket, and large core vents for temperature regulation as well as a removable, helmet compatible hood. It comes in women’s and men’s sizes and two colors.
- Price: $300
- Available from Showers Pass.
Handup A.T. Plus Pants
Handup has new A.T. Plus pants and shorts, featuring durable material designed to “make these bottoms ready for rowdier adventures and allow them to dry out quicker, while still looking like your daily pants.”
- Price: $79
- Available from Handup.
Tailwind Nutrition Active Hydration mix is light and fruity
Tailwind Nutrition has a new drink mix with electrolytes, collagen, and vitamin C. The powdered mix comes in individual packets and is lightly sweetened with cane sugar. The drink mix is made with a “clean, refreshing taste, without the overly strong flavors and funky aftertaste typically found in electrolyte drinks” says Tailwind. Active Hydration comes in four flavors in individual serving packets, in 12-pack boxes. One packet has 35 calories.
- Price: $21 for 12 servings.
- Available from Tailwind.
