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].
New Garmin 1040 features solar charging
It’s likely your legs will wear out long before the new Garmin Edge 1040 battery does. The cycling GPS features a 3.5-inch Power Glass color touchscreen that’s capable of generating up to 42 minutes of battery life every hour, and Garmin claims up to 100 hours of continuous use life in battery saver mode. In addition to its solar capabilities, the Edge 1040 adds real time insights into your exertion level and improved tracking accuracy, though contrary to the name it does not prepare your taxes for you.
- Price: $749.99 ($549.99 for non-solar version)
- Available soon.
Nukeproof Digger gravel bike
The new Nukeproof Digger is billed as a gravel bike, though a case could be made for the RS build being more of a drop-bar MTB. The aluminum frame features a fat, 31.6mm seat tube which should fit a wide variety of dropper posts, and the RS models come with a Rock Shox Rudy 30mm fork and 700x45c tires which are basically the size of 1.8-inch-wide 29ers.
- Price: $1,899 – $3,399 for the RS build.
- Available at Chain Reaction.
Strong, compliant carbon bars from Oneup
Love ’em or hate ’em, e-bike developments are trickling down to mountain bikes. The new OneUp Carbon E-bar is claimed to offer 20% more compliance than other carbon bars yet it’s designed to meet both eMTB and DH standards. Naturally the bar features routing for e-bike controls as well.
- Price: $149.50
- Available from OneUp.
Öhlins updates TTX22m coil shock
Öhlins just released v2 of their TTX22m coil shock, improving the shock’s bottom out bumper, adding a washer-based system for adjusting the stroke length, and a wider high speed compression adjustment range.
- Price: $795
- Available soon.
e*Thirteen Vario dropper post gets longer
The e*Thirteen Vario dropper post has been updated and is now offered with up to 210mm of travel in the 31.6mm diameter. The Vario features tool-free travel adjustment ranges with models offering 90-120mm, 120-150mm, 150-180mm, or 180-210mm to give riders the maximum amount of travel for a given frame size and leg length. e*Thirteen includes a lifetime warranty on the internal air cartridge which should keep this post moving up and down for life.
- Price: $219.99, lever sold separately for $49.99.
- Available from e*Thirteen and Worldwide Cyclery.
Chamois Butt’r launches Ultra Balm
Anti-chafe savior Chamois Butt’r has a new balm out for those who need more. The Ultra Balm is a natural oil and beeswax-based balm made with all-natural ingredients. The balm is made to handle extreme conditions like humidity and rain and long distances.
- Price: $30
- Available at Trekbikes.com.
100% Norvik are new, spacey riding optics
Cycling optics company 100% is never short on flash, especially with their new glasses, the Norvik. The Norviks are available in several colors, have traditionally split lenses instead of a uni-lense, and have side shields to keep wind and dirt from creeping in. The Norviks come with extra lenses too so they can be ready for all conditions as well as a rubber nose piece and temple tips.
- Price: Starting at $165
- Available from 100%.
