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].
Alloy Trek Fuel EXe
The Trek Fuel EXe just got more affordable with the launch of aluminum alloy models, priced starting at $5,499. The alloy Trek Fuel EXe uses the same quiet TQ-HPR50 motor and 360Wh battery for a bike that’s designed to look and feel similar to the analog Fuel EX with 150/140mm of travel front/rear.
- Price: $5,499-$7,399
- Buy from Trek.
Hunt 42 Limitless Gravel Adventure wheels designed for riding fast and loaded
Gravel wheels need to be tough, and if you’re bikepacking and riding loaded, they need to be even tougher. The new Hunt 42 Limitless Gravel Adventure wheels take this into account, with 24/28 spokes front and rear, brass spoke nipples, and rims that are optimized for wider 38-42mm tires.
- Price: $1,649 / pair
- Buy from Hunt
RockShox updates SID forks, shocks
Cross-country racers and downcountry riders alike will be stoked to see the latest updates to the lightweight RockShox SID forks and shocks.
The RockShox SID Ultimate and SID SL forks both get a new three-position damper control for open, pedal, and lock modes. Both forks also have a new Charger Race Day 2 damper.
The updated SID Ultimate features a new DebonAir+ air spring with increased volume and 35mm stanchions, and buyers can choose either 110mm or 120mm of travel.
- Price: $1,199
- Buy from RockShox retailers.
The lighter-weight SID SL shaves more than 100g off the weight of the Ultimate and uses 32mm stanchions. It’s available in 100mm and 110mm travel lengths.
- Price: $899
- Buy from The Pro’s Closet.
Finally, Rockshox updated the 246g SIDLuxe shock with the same three-position damping adjustment as the forks, along with a new “high speed compression damping blow-off for Open and Pedal positions.”
- Price: $439-$509
- Buy from RockShox retailers.
Shimano launches new gravity footwear
Shimano has two new lines of gravity footwear. Gravity Enduro (GE) mountain bike shoes are designed for clipless pedals, while the Gravity Flat (GF) series features flat pedal shoes.
All of the Shimano GE series shoes feature an ULTREAD GE outsole and TORBAL 2.0 midsole. The top-of-the-line GE900 shoes, pictured above and currently on test, utilize a BOA ratcheting lace system paired with a velcro top strap and include a neoprene gaiter and carbon midsole. The more affordable GE700 and GE500 models swap the BOA system for laces, and the GE500 is available in both men’s and women’s models.
- Price: $140-$225
- Buy from Shimano retailers.
The Shimano GF models get the same ULTREAD GE outsole throughout the line, but that’s where the similarities end. Gone are the velcro straps, and the top-shelf GF800 model gets a Gore-tex waterproof membrane paired with a BOA lace system. While both the GF800 and GF600 shoes have the TORBAL 2.0 midsole, the entry-level GF400 shoes (available in men’s and women’s styles) get an EVA midsole.
- Price: $120-$220
- Buy from Shimano retailers.
Santa Cruz updates the Stigmata
Santa Cruz has taken their first-ever gravel bike into the second generation. The new Stigmata changes from a numbered sizing (i.e. 50, 52, 54, etc…) to S-XXL sizes with freshened geometry. The bike also gains other features like downtube storage, better tire clearance, UDH, and the 1x builds are dropper post compatible.
- Price: $4,299-$8,099
- Buy from Santa Cruz dealers.
Forge + Bond drops less expensive XC and AM wheelsets
Forge and Bond have two new wheelsets on the market today, including an XC and an all-mountain wheelset. Both are priced much lower than the brand’s first wheelsets released a few months ago.
There are three builds for the XC wheels, but they all feature the same Forge + Bond rim with a 25mm inner width, but with different hub options. They start at $1,899 with an Industry Nine 1/1 hub and weigh 1,560g.
The all-mountain wheels start at a weight of 1,816g and feature the same hub options as the XC wheels, but with a 30mm internal width.
- Price: $1,899-$2,199
- Available: forgeandbond.com
Giant and Liv Roost helmets get MIPS, rounder shape
Giant and Liv updated the Roost half shell mountain bike helmet, giving it a more rounded shape the brands say should fit more heads. The value-priced helmet also features MIPS and a height-adjustable retention system that’s said to be ponytail friendly. With just 12 vents, the Roost isn’t the most vented helmet on the market, but it does claim a respectible 385g weight for the size medium lid.
The Giant Roost is available in three sizes and two colors, while the Liv Roost is available in two sizes and two colors.
- Price: $110
- Buy from Giant and Liv dealers.
Customizable North St. bags
North St. bags out of Portland, Oregon is giving customers the option to customize three of their popular bags, including the hip pack and daypack shown above. Choose colors for the base, stripe, and pull cords and North St. sew and will ship your stylish creation within a couple weeks. Order soon, this program ends August 13!
- Price: $105-$315
- Buy from North St. Bags.
Lōgōs XC and Enduro wheelsets
Lōgōs is launching two new carbon mountain bike wheels designed for XC and AM/enduro, respectively. The Gída XC wheelset weighs 1,395g for the pair and features a 28mm internal rim width optimized for 1.9-2.4″ tires. The Eudae enduro wheelset weighs 1,765g with 30mm-wide rims. Both sets utilize Pillar Wing spokes and a arché OS dual-spring star ratchet hub design.
- Price: $1,299
- Buy from logoscomponents.com.
Updated Feedback Sports Range Click Torque Wrench
The new Feedback Sports Range Click torque wrench is an updated tool with improved ergonomics, a tactile click-torque function, and a wide measurement range. The kit includes 13 bits with the wrench and can handle torque input from 2-14Nm.
- Price: $120
- Buy from feedbacksports.com.
