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 Mondraker Raze alloy builds
For 2023 there are two models of the Mondraker Raze alloy trail bike, each featuring the brand’s Stealth alloy hydroform construction and “Zero Suspension” platform. The Raze features 150/130mm of travel front and rear and builds come with either Rockshox or Fox suspension.
- Price: Unknown.
- Buy from Mondraker dealers.
Transition releases the Relay E-bike
Transition finally lifted the curtain on their anticipated Relay e-bike. The bike is available as a 27.5″ ride for XS riders, or as a 29er or mixed wheel bike with 160mm or 170mm of travel front and rear, depending on the wheel layout. The Relay uses the compact Fazua Ride 60 motor and Ring controller, which we tried on the Pivot Shuttle SL last summer.
- Price: $6,799 – $12,499 depending on the build.
- Buy from Transition dealers beginning in March.
Bold Unplugged get an update
Just in case you were thinking this was an e-bike, the Bold Unplugged makes clear the fact that there are no wires attached. Bold says the latest Unplugged is “all-new,” with 170/160mm of travel front and rear, a flip chip that toggles the head angle between 63.2° and 64.5°, and the ability to run the bike 29er or mullet. Not only is the rear shock hidden inside the frame, there’s a multi-tool stash spot in the frame and another one in the rear wheel.
- Price: TBD
- Buy from Bold dealers.
Esker Hayduke goes 29er
Esker Cycles longstanding Hayduke hardtail received some big updates this week. The bike is now a full 29er and will clear 2.4-2.8″ wide tires with four different positions via the Portage Dropout system. The Hayduke frame also gets threaded rack mounts and cable guides, pegging it as a trusty steed for bikepacking adventures of all kinds.
The frame is built from 4130 chromoly steel with quad-butted seamless tubes, which Esker says provides a greater strength to weight ratio than other comparable frames. Geoemetry includes a 65.6° HTA at 0% sag, a 75° STA, adjustable chainstay lengths, and five different sizes.
- Price: $1,000 for a frame, builds priced from $3,000 to $4,000.
- Buy from eskercycles.com.
Machines for Freedom gets the axe from Specialized
Bike apparel brand Machines for Freedom, aimed at inclusive women’s apparel, was shut down by Specialized last week as the Big S continues to slim its spending.
“My heart is heavy today,” said MFF founder Jenn Kriske in a statement. “Today we announced the end of the @machinesforfreedom brand, and since learning of this decision by our parent company, I have been cycling through feelings of both grief and gratitude. For the past decade, Machines’ influence in the cycling industry has been undeniable. Our industry-leading fit process changed the game for women of all shapes and sizes, and we challenged an industry to consider riders that had been overlooked for generations.“
