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].
Mondraker Arid gravel bike holds up to six water bottles
We were surprised to learn that the Mondraker Arid is the brand’s first “non-assist” gravel bike (the Dusty is the brand’s existing electric gravel bike). The carbon Arid fits tires up to 50c, features in-frame storage, and is available in five sizes. It’s designed for 1X drivetrains only and is UDH compatible. Between the frame and the fork, the Mondraker Arid can hold up to six (!) water bottles for some seriously long adventures.
- Price: builds $3,299 – $9,799, frameset for $2,199
- Buy from Mondraker dealers
YT Capra Core update
The YT Capra Core line of enduro bikes has been refreshed, offering both aluminum and carbon frame choices and builds to match. The brand smartly specs 30mm rise handlebars on small and medium builds and higher-rise, 40mm bars on larger sizes. All builds also feature Continental Kryptotal tires with enduro casings and brakes with 220/200mm rotors front/rear.
- Price: $2,499 – $5,999
- Buy from yt-industries.com
Whyte ELyte EVO gets low ⬇️
The Whyte ELyte EVO electric mountain bike is designed to have a low center of gravity (COG) for improved handling, and the brand says the COG is likely lower than any other eMTB on the market. A 400Wh battery is slotted inside the downtube close to the bottom bracket, and every build comes with a 250Wh range extender that mounts inside the bottom of the front triangle. Like many new eMTBs we’ve seen over the past month and a half, the Whyte ELyte EVO features the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor.
Whyte offers some unique features on the ELyte EVO like giving owners the choice of internal or external cable and hose routing. They also spec short, 155mm cranks which should mitigate any increase in pedal strikes related to the low COG design. All frames are carbon fiber and the bike can be configured with either matched 29er or mixed wheels.
- Price: £7,250 – £9,999
- Buy from Whyte dealers
KOO HYPE collection is vented to reduce fogging
The new KOO HYPE collection is designed for road biking, but mountain bikers will likely appreciate them as well. The extended coverage eyewear is designed with “ample venting ports with two on either side of the frames, as well as one in the center of the glasses (above the nose bridge)” to reduce fogging.
- Price: $215
- Buy from KOO retailers
Mission Workshop insulated jacket and MW7: H2O waterproof cap
Mission Workshop has a new waterproof jacket and cap just in time for the rainy season. The Mission Workshop Alpha Squad jacket is waterproof and features Polartec® Alpha™ insulation for staying warm and dry before and after the ride (TBH it looks like overkill for most rides). The MW7: H2O cap is another good off-the-bike option thanks to its fully waterproof construction because sadly it doesn’t appear to fit under a helmet.
- Price: $385 jacket, $85 cap
- Buy from Mission Workshop: Alpha Squad jacket and MW7: H2O cap
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