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].
The new Revel Tirade titanium hardtail
You still may think of slick, carbon fiber hardtails when it comes to Revel, but last year they absorbed their sister brand, Why Cycles. The latest launch is the Tirade hardtail, with a 140mm fork, modern geometry and adaptable chainstays. The Tirade also incorporates a number of water bottle and gear mounts and internal routing. It looks to be an all-around trail machine, ready for all-trail bikepacking.
The bike has a 64.7° HTA and a 74-75.5° seat tube angle depending on the size, as well as reach and wheelbase numbers on par with full-suspension trail bikes.
- Price: $2,499 for frameset, builds vary from $5,199 to $9,599.
- Buy from: revelbikes.com
Southern Gravity debuts steel DH bike prototype
Windrock co-founder and Southern Gravity – Bike Park Solutions founder Sean Leader took the wraps off a prototype steel DH bike he’s been testing with Southern Gravity RAD Program riders. “In the last few years I have seen a change in the supply chain for downhill bikes that I felt did not align with my values; rising prices, decreasing quality, limiting supply, and most importantly sending or money out of the USA,” Leader wrote in a post to the Southern Gravity website. Singletracks spotted the bikes being ridden at Windrock over the weekend.
The chromoly steel bikes, built in Tennessee, offer 200/200mm of travel front and rear and utilize a DW-like setup. “It is fair to say the origin of this platform comes from Dave Weagle’s involvement with the Iron Horse Sunday,” says Leader.
Giant will sell some bikes at Dicks Specialty Stores
Dicks Sporting Goods will sell Giant bikes in some of the brand’s specialty stores including Moosejaw and Public Lands according to Bicycle Retailer. A document provided to Giant retailers states that the stores have agreed to abide by minimum advertised prices and suggests the move will allow Giant to reach buyers who might not otherwise visit a local bike shop. It’s unclear which bikes will be offered in stores and for now it seems the move does not include Dicks-branded stores.
Canyon Grand Canyon:ON 7 electric hardtail
Hot on the heels of the Trek Marlin+ electric hardtail, the Canyon Grand Canyon:ON 7 is here. The Grand Canyon:ON features slightly more conservative geometry but with a larger battery than the Marlin+. And like the Marlin+, the Grand Canyon:ON can be converted to a more commuter-style bike thanks to integrated rack mounts.
- Price: $3,799
- Buy from canyon.com
KMC releases their own cassettes
KMC is known for offering high-quality, after-market bicycle chains and now the brand has their own line of cassettes designed specifically for their chains. The cassettes feature dual shifting ramps for optimized transitions and are available in 10- and 11-speed configurations (up to 11-50T) at launch. There’s no word on whether the brand plans to add 12-speed cassettes in the future.
- Price: $65
- Buy from kmcchain.us
Muc-off AirMach Carbon pump
The new Muc-off AirMach Carbon hand pump looks to be a good choice for gravel biking thanks to its light, 132g weight and 130psi maximum pressure rating.
- Price: $55
- Buy from Muc-off
New Chris King GripLock option for DH bikes
Chris King just added a DH headset, the Droplet 6, to their line of Gridlock headsets. The brand says, “GripLock technology protects a fork’s steerer tube from excessive preload and protects the headset bearings from excessive shock load created when riding,” particularly on long-travel bikes.
- Price: $176
- Buy from Chris King
