More Affordable YT Capra Builds, Limited Edition Helm Fork, and 1UP Rack Upgrade Kits

This week's new and updated mountain bike gear from YT, Bell, Ratio, Scott, Liv, Cane Creek, Rocky Mountain, Velo, and 1UP.

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 YT Capra Core 1 build is priced at $2,699

YT has two new, more affordable Capra Core builds starting at Core 1 which features a Rockshox Zeb Base fork and Super Deluxe Select R shock, 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and SRAM DB8 brakes priced at $2,699. The Core 2 build upgrades the drivetrain to GX and sees longer travel dropper posts on the larger sizes.

  • Price: $2,699
  • Buy from yt-industries.com.

New Liv Intrigue LT long-travel bike offers mullet builds

The new Liv Intrigue LT series is the first from the women’s bike brand to offer mullet builds (sizes small and extra small) and pairs 160mm of front travel with 150mm of squish at the rear. Featuring a 3-position flip chip, the alloy Intrigue LT has a roughly 65° head tube angle and 77° seat tube angle in the mid setting across the size range. Size medium and large builds come with 29er wheels but are mixed-wheel compatible.

  • Price: $2,800 for the Intrigue LT 2 build.
  • Buy from Giant dealers.

Bell Falcon XRV MIPS helmets

The new Bell XR line of helmets is designed to be versatile enough for all types of riding, and the XRV models feature MTB-friendly visors. Bell XR helmets include MIPS and come in multiple colors.

Ratio Derailleur cage is a SRAM derailleur upgrade

Ratio Technology, which we covered in this piece about hanger-less derailleurs, has a new lightweight replacement for SRAM Eagle AXS cages. Ratio’s cage is machined from 7075 aluminum and uses stainless steel hardware and Enduro bearings, and comes in 67g lighter than the GX AXS cage, according to Ratio. Ratio adds that the GX AXS is actually 50% heavier than the mechanical AXS, though the mechanism is identical to the XO1 and XX1 cages. The cage also fits all SRAM’s Eagle AXS derailleurs and helps lighten the derailleurs across the board.

Photo: Lear Miller

Ibis introduces “wallet-friendly” Exie starting at $4,999

New budget-friendlier Ibis Exie cross-country bikes are now available, with N/GX builds starting at $4,999. The less expensive builds are using frames constructed in Vietnam, and weigh just a hair more than the top-of-the-line frames, with complete bikes weighing as little as 26.3lb. Previously the cheapest Exie builds started at $7,999.

  • Price: $4,999 and up
  • Buy from Ibis dealers.

Fox teases MTB shoes

Fox Racing is teasing their first shoe release for sometime in February. Based on this photo, at least one version of the Fox Union shoes will feature a Boa lacing system.

  • Price: ??
  • More details available next month.

Limited Edition Cane Creek Chameleon Helm Fork

The limited edition Cane Creek Chameleon Helm fork brings earth tones and color shifting decals to a 29er Helm MKII fork with 44mm offset and adjustable travel between 100mm and 160mm. The fork is available while supplies last.

  • Price: $1,099.99
  • Buy from canecreek.com and select dealers.

Rocky Mountain Fusion Powerplay is a hybrid-E-Hardtail

Rocky Mountain released a new Fusion Powerplay, a hardtail with 120mm of suspension, their Dyname motor, and versatility to take you from home to work via singletrack. The Fusion Powerplay 10 base model comes with a Suntour fork, a Rocky Mountain cockpit, a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, and Rocky Mountain Wheels.

  • Price: $4,300 – $5,000
  • Buy from Rocky Mountain dealers.

New Scott Tago Plus helmet

Scott says the new Tago Plus helmet is a do-it-all-trail helmet for trail and all-mountain riding. It’s a vented half shell that features MIPS, an adjustable visor, and a 5-star Virginia Tech safety rating.

  • Price: $159.99
  • Buy from Scott dealers.
Visualization of possible future product integration for FATMAP within Strava.

Strava acquires FATMAP

Strava just announced the acquisition of FATMAP, a company that offers 3D mapping technology, giving Strava premium users access to a curated catalog of maps and trail information around the world.

  • Price: $80 per year for a Strava subscription.
  • Buy at strava.com.

Velo Year of the Rabbit saddle

To commemorate the new year, Velo announces its 2023 Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac saddle series. Beneath the bunny-themed cover it’s a Velo Angel Revo saddle that’s 148mm wide and 248mm long with a large center relief channel.

Add some pop to your 1UP USA Bike Rack

1UP USA bike racks have a great reputation as being made in the USA bike racks, but they can also have a deadpan aesthetic with the standard black and aluminum colors. 1UP has added an anodized upgrade kit for the racks for $65 with pink, orange, green, red, blue, and purple accessories.

  • Price: $65
  • Buy from 1up-usa.com.