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].
Esker Hayduke LVS features super long, 600mm chainstays
No, that chainstay length isn’t a typo. The Esker Hayduke LVS takes its front triangle from the original Hayduke and stretches the chainstays to a whopping 600mm long. The result is more room for frame storage plus a smoother ride thanks to the added length of the flexible titanium members.
Playful, this bike is not, but it does promise to be super stable and will be of interest to bikepackers especially. Compared to the Surly Big Dummy, which has 821mm chainstays, the Esker Hayduke LVS is really just a tweener.
- Price: $2,950 frame only; $4,950 complete
- Buy from eskercycles.com
Carbon Nukeproof Megawatt features SRAM Eagle Powertrain
Nukeproof appears to be the first out of the gate with a SRAM Eagle Powertrain bike, the all-new carbon Megawatt eMTB. The mulleted Nukeproof Megawatt offers 170mm of travel front and rear plus room for a water bottle and accessory mount inside the front triangle. As the first Powertrain-equipped bike for sale we finally get an idea of the SRAM electric drivetrain pricing, and it does not appear to be cheap; the least expensive Nukeproof Megawatt carbon bike with SRAM Eagle Powertrain is priced at $9,899.
- Price: Starting at $9,899
- Buy from Nukeproof.
Updated Mondraker F-Podium lightweight XC bike gets improved suspension, new look
The Mondraker F-Podium gets updated kinematics thanks to an update of the Zero Suspension System. The shock is now located lower in the frame which allowed Mondraker to make the rear triangle more compact and therefore more rigid and lightweight. All told the racy carbon XC frame weighs less than 2kg.
- Price: Unknown
- Buy from Mondraker dealers.
Rocky Mountain introduces the Flow
Rocky Mountain’s all-new Flow bike might look like a dirt jumper, and there’s a good chance it could be, but that’s not what the brand is calling it. The Flow has everything to do with the proliferation of pump tracks around the globe and the bike is made to master pumps, berms, and rollers at a reasonable price point.
The Flow comes specced as an alloy frame singlespeed with street-ready tires and three different wheelsizes: 20″, 24″, and 26″. It is available in two build levels.
- Price: $869-$1,259
- Buy from Rocky Mountain dealers.
New Zipp 1Zero Hitop SW carbon wheels include TireWiz digital pressure monitor
The new Zipp 1Zero Hitop lightweight MTB wheels are designed to be more compliant than a typical XC wheelset. The SW versions feature 30mm-wide rims, 66° of engagement in the rear hub, and an integrated TireWiz pressure monitoring system at a total weight of 1325g for the pair. A less expensive ‘S’ version drops the TireWiz and features a slightly less engaging rear hub. Both sets can be configured with a Microspline driver for those who aren’t all-in with SRAM.
- Price: $625-$1,025 per wheel
- Buy from SRAM retailers.
Oneup accessory mounts
More and more mountain bike frames are coming with top tube, under mount accessory bolts, and Oneup has a couple new products to fit. The EDC tube strap mount and inline pump mounts are as simple as they are inexpensive, giving riders another spot on the bike to stash gear securely.
- Price: $19.95
- Buy from oneupcomponents.com
Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions sleeping pad boasts 8+ insulation R-value
Nemo says the new Tensor Extreme Conditions inflatable air mattress offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio available. The “Regular Mummy” size weighs right at a pound which is probably too much for ultralight bikepackers but perhaps worth the weight for more casual, cold weather adventures.
- Price: $249.95-$279.95
- Buy from Nemo.
Bookman Volume Bike Light makes it easy to adjust light
Bookman is a new Swedish-based brand and their Volume bike light uses a “Power Wheel” dial to adjust the brightness and mode, rather than a button like most lights. The Volume comes in two different models; an 800 lumen and a 1500 lumen. The Volume 800 has a plastic casing, while the 1500 has a bigger battery and aluminum body. The lights also have replaceable, USB-C rechargeable batteries so you can pack a backup.
- Price: $99-$149
- Buy from Bookman.
Wilde x Nitto Country Bar made for bikepacking
Wilde Bikes and Nitto have partnered for their Country Bar, a bikepacking handlebar with geometry and flex made for long days on the bike. The aluminum bar has 50mm of rise, a 27° backsweep, and a 31.8mm clamp. The Country Bar is 800mm wide at the stock offering and is available in either black or silver.
- Price: $120
- Buy from Wilde Bikes.
