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].
Improved Revel RW30 rims and wheelset
Revel has improved their RW30 trail/enduro wheels with rims made from Fusion-Fiber. The 28-spoke rims are now designed with more material around the spoke holes for improved strength and a wider, 4mm bead wall edge to reduce the chance of pinch flats. A new minimalist finish gives the rims a fresh look and keeps the weight down to 485g per rim.
- Price: $2,199 for complete wheelset with I9 Hydra hubs, $799 for rims only
- Buy from revelbikes.com.
Vitus E-Mythique LT launch
A recent Vitus press release says the new alloy E-Mythique long-travel eMTB “incorporates learnings from our current E-Sommet range to create an eMTB that is ready to ride everything that is expected of a modern enduro e-bike.” If anything, the E-Mythique looks like the E-Sommet’s replacement, at least until the E-Sommet goes even bigger.
The E-Mythique is positioned to electrify the popular Mythique trail bike, which features 140mm of travel front and rear. However the E-Mythique ups the travel substantially, earning the LT designation with its 170/160mm of travel front and rear. Otherwise the geometry is very similar to the (also mixed-wheel) E-Sommet which has slightly more rear travel.
The biggest differentiator between the E-Mythique and the E-Sommet is the use of a Bafang motor system in the E-Mythique compared to a Shimano EP8 in the E-Sommet. Overall the E-Mythique offers a great value for a long-travel eMTB with builds starting at just $3,699.
- Price: $3,699-$4,599
- Buy from Vitus.
Cervelo now has a FS bike, the ZFS-5
In case you missed it, renowned road cycling brand Cervelo now has a full suspension XC bike, the ZFS-5, following the launch of their first-ever hardtail MTB. The single-pivot, flex-stay ZFS-5 can be configured with either 100mm or 115mm of rear suspension travel and 100mm or 120mm of front squish. Naturally the bikes are lightweight for racing, and are not cheap.
- Price: Complete bikes are $5,250-$10,700; frameset is $3,900
- Buy from Competitive Cyclist.
The Mukluk is now the Heyday, plus updated Beargrease builds
The fat bike formerly known as Mukluk is getting an update, starting with a new name: Heyday. Salsa conducted an audit and found the name could be “potentially problematic” as it refers to traditional indigenous footwear in arctic regions.
The Heyday rolls on 26×4.6″ tires out of the box, but it can also run 27.5 fat and 29+ wheels and tires if you’re so inclined. Buyers can choose from an aluminum or carbon frame, both of which feature Alternator 2.0 dropouts that promise “multiple drivetrain options” and the ability to run all those different wheel sizes.
- Price: $1,699-$3,299
- Buy from Salsa dealers.
Salsa also rolled out new colors and build options for their racy carbon Beargrease fat bike models. The top-end Beargrease (shown above) gets a new two-tone fade and keeps the 27.5″ wheels, lightweight frame, and narrow Q-factor design for riding fast on groomed trails. It’s not clear if the frame is UDH-compatible, with only the most expensive build featuring a mechanical SRAM Eagle drivetrain.
- Price: Builds are $2,949-$7,099; a frameset (including fork) is $2,099
- Buy from Salsa Dealers
Kali Interceptor 2.0
The updated Kali Interceptor 2.0 helmet refines the original Interceptor with improvements like a Fidlock buckle on the chin strap, a larger two-position visor, and an improved retention system that can be adjusted up or down to fit more head shapes and hairstyles. The improved Interceptor keeps the same unique safety features like the energy-absorbing polymer RHEON material and a CASIDION foam core. Available in two sizes.
- Price: $180
- Buy from kaliprotectives.com
