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 Liv Intrigue X
The new Liv Intrigue X aluminum and Intrigue X Advanced carbon all-mountain bikes gain the brand’s Maestro 3 flip chip previously available on the Intrigue LT. The flip chip adjusts the bike’s head and seat tube angles along with the bottom bracket height. Both the aluminum and carbon frames feature in-frame storage. All frame sizes can run mixed wheels while only sizes medium and large are designed for matched 29in wheels.
- Price: Aluminum Intrigue X builds from $3,200; carbon Intrigue X Advanced builds from $4,500.
- Buy from Giant bicycle dealers
Northwave Hammer Plus XC and gravel shoe
The Northwave Hammer Plus cross-country slash gravel bike shoe looks like it’s chomping at the bit to dig into loose terrain. Not coincidentally the outsole is branded Jaws Evo and it’s said to offer a good compromise between stiff pedal efficiency and comfort.
- Price: €149.99
- Buy from Northwave retailers
Intend introduces new air spring and Blackline with stanchion protectors
Intend is known for their high-end, inverted mountain bike forks and this month they updated and expanded the line. The new Travelizer air spring delivers adjustable travel up to 30mm in 1mm increments and also reduces friction for improved performance. Buyers who want some protection around the stanchions can upgrade to the Blackline versions of the Hero (140-170mm), Edge (150-180mm), and Flash (160-190mm), though Intend notes this adds extra weight to the system.
- Price: From €1,849
- Buy from intend-bc.com
Sena M1Evo helmet
Earlier this year Matt reviewed the Aleck Punks over-ear headphones that feature a walkie-talkie like intercom feature that lets you communicate with friends while riding. The Sena M1Evo helmet offers similar functionality thanks to mesh network technology built into a mountain bike helmet that also includes an LED tail light. Sena says the M1Evo offers a communication range of up to 0.6mi (about 900m).
- Price: $199
- Buy from sena.com
Updated Norco Range and Sight VLT
Norco just launched two new eMTBs this week, the Range and Sight VLT. The Norco Range VLT is a big bike with 180/170mm of travel front and rear, a large 750Wh battery, and an 85Nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor. The Norco Sight VLT features the same battery and motor specs but in a shorter travel, 150/140mm package.
- Price: $8,999 to $13,999
- Buy from Norco dealers
Stoke wheels from Chumba
The Chumba brand is known for their no-nonsense mountain and gravel bikes that are well suited to long-distance bikepacking. Their new company, Stoke Wheels, sells custom wheels configured online and built according to the buyer’s spec. Need just a front wheel with a dynamo hub and want to save weight with carbon rims? No problem!
- Price: Varies
- Buy from stokecustomwheels.com
Specialized Recon shoes updated
Specialized says the latest Recon gravel slash mountain bike shoes improve power by seven watts plus they claim the shoe is stiff on the pedals and flexible while hiking that bike. Choose from three Specialized Recon levels and price points.
- Price: $120-250
- Buy from Specialized
MTB apparel brand akta launches second collection
akta MTB says their new Trail Collection is designed “to be a highly versatile kit with a focus on fit, function and durability.” The line includes gloves, jerseys, pants and shorts.
- Price: From $34
- Buy from aktamtb.com
