In conjunction with the bikepacking craze of 2016, several bike companies are offering drop bar mountain bikes. Not to be confused with gravel grinders or “all-road” bikes, these are bikes that are capable of running full width mountain bike tires, and in some cases, even plus tires. Here are some of the newer drop bar MTBs we saw at Interbike this year.
German bike company Bombtrack showed off two good-looking drop bar mountain bikes this year. The Beyond is a rigid, steel-frame 29er with a 2×10 drivetrain and plenty of brazeons to get your bikepack on.
The Bombtrack Hook EXT is a steel frame, rigid 27.5 bike sporting cyclocross geometry for more of a race feel. Both Bombtrack bikes sport 2.1″ tires and should retail for around $1,800 USD.
Masi had the Giramando 27.5 at the Interbike Outdoor Demo, and while I didn’t get a chance to test ride this bike, it definitely caught my eye. The Giramando frame is chromoly and retails for just $1,049.
The Wilier Jaroon Plus is a rigid, drop bar, 29+ mountain bike with a “high end” steel frame. For more info, be sure to read Greg’s report here. MSRP: $2,849 USD.
The Moots Baxter is easily the most expensive drop bar mountain bike on our list with a $8,699 UDS sticker price. What do you get for all that coin? A titanium frame, Di2 drivetrain, Enve carbon fork, and Mavic CrossMax 29er wheels. Oh, and it has mounts for 3 water bottles!
What do you think about drop bar mountain bikes–no way or a-okay?
1 Comments
Oct 2, 2016
I love the ability to use multiple hand positions. It really helps me out when I have long days in the saddle on my gravel bike. I just can't tackle too much singletrack with such a low bottom bracket height, these new mountain bikes seem to fix that and bring the best of both worlds.