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].
Niner RKT gains 10mm of rear travel
The updated Niner RKT XC bike gets a 10mm suspension bump to 100mm in the rear, paired with a 100mm fork up front. Both the shock and fork feature remote lockouts for when it’s time to hammer, and the latest RKT frame can fit up to 2.5-inch-wide 29er tires. A flip chip takes the head angle from 68° to 67.6° while the seat angle moves from 75° to 74.6°. Additional standout features include a one-piece rear triangle, drain holes in the “shock pocket,” and the option to run a 120mm fork for trail riding or more technical XC courses.
- Pricing is TBD, but should be similar to previous model year builds which are priced from $4,399 to $9,999.
- Available September, 2022.
Four new MTB tires from American Classic
American Classic just announced a value-oriented line of mountain bike tires with different treads designed for downcountry, trail, and enduro riding. The tires are all priced under $50 and not only that, American Classic will offer a 50% discount on replacement tires in case you destroy one on the trail. All tires, with the exception of the Mauka downcountry tire, are offered in 27.5″ or 29″ diameters, and trail or enduro casings. We just got our hands on a few samples and will be sharing our review later this summer.
- Price: $45-50.
- Available from the American Classic Amazon web store.
Hayes Dominion T4 brakes
The new Hayes Dominion T4 four-piston disc brakes are lightweight and powerful, adding a mere three grams to the two-piston T2s. Notable features include top-loading pads, 17mm-diameter pistons, and tool-free reach adjust. Singletracks should have samples to test and review later this summer.
- Price: $324.99 front or rear.
- Available from Hayes.
Ionic is taking pre-orders for Johnny Rotten hardtail
Colorado-based Ionic is bringing back the Johnny Rotten hardtail and is currently taking pre-orders. Details about the bike geometry and construction are scant but we do know the frames — built by Merlin and Dean Titanium — will be steel with sliding dropouts.
- Price: Frames from $2,250, full builds starting at $5,321.
- Available February, 2023 from Ionic.
Reynolds adds Blacklabel gravel wheels
Reynolds just added top-of-the-line Blacklabel options to their ATR and G series lines of gravel wheels. The Blacklabel ATR wheels feature 23mm carbon rims and Reynolds/Industry 9 Torch Road DB hubs while the Blacklabel G wheels come with wider, 25mm rims and the same hubs or Reynolds/Ringle Super Bubba X Road DBs.
- Price: $1,899.99-2,299.99
- Available from Reynolds and Chain Reaction.
Garmin Edge Explore 2 and a $129 mount
Garmin is updating the Edge Explore cycling GPS with features that e-bike riders will be stoked to have. The new Garmin Edge Explore 2 adds the ability to view e-bike data like battery and assistance levels, while the new Power Mount (bundled with the Edge Explore 2, or sold separately) lets riders power and charge the GPS from their bike’s battery. Like the original Edge Explore, the Edge Explore 2 features a 3-inch color touchscreen and a bevy of navigation and ride tracking features.
- Price: $299.99 or $399.99 bundled with the Power Mount. Power Mount is available separately for $129.99.
- Available now.
New Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD repair stand
The new Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD repair stand is designed to be lightweight and strong. How strong? Feedback says the stand can hold up to 120lb of weight which should be more than enough for not just one but two e-bikes (not that it makes sense to wrench on two bikes at once anyway). The clamp is said to be improved as well with increased strength and speed plus capacity for larger diameter frame tubes.
- Price: $495
- Available by October 2022.
Pearl Izumi releases Grateful Dead inspired apparel collection
On July 8, Pearl Izumi released a Grateful Dead apparel collection 44-years in the making, inspired by the band’s performance at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado on July 8, 1978. Pearl Izumi designer Bri Hammer used the word “wandered,” a lyric in the band’s song “Wharf Rat” for the name of the collection. There is a women’s tank, men and women’s short sleeve jersey, men’s 3/4 jersey, and men and women’s shorts, socks, water bottles, and a juniors jersey for the young Dead Head.
- Price: Adult jerseys starting at $55.
- Available from Pearl Izumi.
Lazer KinetiCore Cage is first full-face helmet with 5-star VA Tech rating
Lazer seems to have a winner on their hands with the new KinetiCore Cage helmet. The full-face lid features Lazer’s own rotational impact protection — KinetiCore — which no doubt helped it win a coveted 5-star safety rating from Virginia Tech. The KinetiCore Cage is available in five sizes, weighs a reasonable 820g, and — best of all — the price is reasonable too.
- Price: $299
- Availability TBD.
New Fulcrum aluminum wheels
Fulcrum announced two new wheel sets today: Red Metal 5 and Red Zone 5. Both feature aluminum rims, 28 spokes front and rear, and the same sealed bearing hubs. The Red Zone 5 wheels are designed for XC with a 27mm-wide rim, while the Red Metal 5s feature 30mm-wide rims and are designed for trail riding.
- Price: $465-482 (Red Zone 5) and $489-506 (Red Metal 5)
- Availability TBD.
Showers Pass Spring Classic Jacket Celebrates 25 Years
Showers Pass, known for their durable rain gear, is celebrating 25 years with the updated Spring Classic jacket, a lightweight 3-layer jacket with a blend of water resistance and breathability. The jacket has an angled full-zip front, dual core vents, and an upper back exhaust vent. The jacket is available in sizes XS – XL.
- Price: $325
- Available from Showers Pass.
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