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].
Marin Rift Zone refresh
The Marin Rift Zone lineup of full-suspension mountain bikes is getting a refresh, with the most affordable build priced at just $1,799. All models feature an aluminum frame with internal cable routing, 130mm of MultiTrac rear suspension, a dropper post, and UDH-compatibility. Marin promises “contemporary trail geometry” but details were not available as of press time.
- Price: builds from $1,699 to $4,999
- Buy from Marin dealers
Forge + Bond FusionFiber handlebar
It was only a matter of time before FusionFiber made its way from mountain bike rims to handlebars. The Forge + Bond 25 MTN handlebar makes use of the recyclable material to deliver improved vibration damping over traditional carbon epoxy bars. The 800mm-wide bar with a 35mm clamp diameter is said to weigh 250g and can be trimmed down to 760mm.
- Price: $265
- Buy from Forge + Bond
Shorter Redshift suspension stems
Good news for shorter riders and those looking for snappier handling: the Redshift ShockStop stem is now available in 55mm and 70mm lengths. Singletracks reviewed the ShockStop and found it does a good job smoothing vibrations on rough terrain. According to Redshift, the ShockStop stem delivers up to 20mm of travel.
- Price: $189.99
- Buy from redshiftsports.com
Trek WaveCel helmets
Trek just launched updated WaveCel helmets for mountain biking that are lighter-weight and better-ventilated than previous versions. The Trek Blaze WaveCel is a convertible, 3/4-shell helmet while the Rally is a trail helmet with a three-position visor. At the entry level, the Trek Quantum WaveCel includes the same WaveCel protection tech as the others but at a more affordable price.
- Price: $124.99 – $249.99
- Buy from Trek
8/16/2024: Updated pricing for the entry level Marin Rift Zone from $1,799 to $1,699.
