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].
Peak Design Out Front V2 mount fits 35mm bars
Earlier this fall Singletracks reviewed the Peak Design Out Front bike mount that works with their Everyday Case smartphone cases. Our biggest complaint? It didn’t fit 35mm-diameter handlebars. Well, Peak Design is on top of things, rolling out the Out Front V2 that’s designed to fit more MTB bars, from 7/8″ diameter up to 35mm.
- Price: $69.95
- Buy from Peak Design (currently only the V1 mounts are available for purchase online)
New Microspline option for Chris King R45D hubs
With 12-speed Shimano GRX drivetrains now available for gravel bikes, Chris King is adding a new Microspline driveshell option for their road/gravel R45D hubs. An upgrade kit is available for those who already own centerlok R45D hubs, or second generation 6-bolt R45D hubs. It does not appear that buyers can purchase a R45D hub pre-configured with a Microspline drive at the moment.
- Price: $250
- Buy from Chris King
New MSR bikepacking gear
MSR has a few new pieces of gear that are of interest to bikepackers including 1- and 2-person Hubba Hubba tents in a bikepacking version. The tent still has a similar construction as the original Hubba Hubba, but includes shorter DAC poles and a handlebar bag, making it simple to mount on a bike. MSR also has new titanium cookware, including kettles, insulated cups and spoons.
- Price: $500-$580 for 1- or 2-person tent.
- Check prices and availability
Orange Bikes seeks administrator
UK-based bike brand Orange will seek an administrator for the company after a notorious post-Covid dip in demand. The company is now now working with a specialist business rescue advisory firm, according to Forbes and they are looking at options to restructure the company. The brand is facing the same challenge as other bike industry companies at the moment, like Vitus and Nukeproof. American brand Guerrilla Gravity folded last fall.
Carbs Fuel starts shipping 50g gels
A few months ago we wrote about a new product called Carbs Fuel which packs 50g of carbohydrates in an easy-to-digest gel. Now, Carbs Fuels is shipping. They have one flavor now, which isn’t as much as a flavor as a taste, which is citrusy. The gels are preservative- and gluten-free, and vegan friendly.
- Price: $36 for an 18 gel box
- Buy from carbsfuel.com
Greg Minaar signs with Norco Bicycles
At the end of 2023, Santa Cruz and Greg Minaar announced they are parting ways. We now know Minaar has joined Norco. Minaar will mentor Norco’s youth development team, a program which aims to find and foster the future of downhill racing. Norco also announced that Lucas Cruz and Gracey Hemstreet will sign with the brand.
