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].
Fox Racing (finally) releases MTB shoes
Well, they’ve been teasing it for a while now and last week, it finally became official: Fox Racing has dipped their toe into the MTB shoe market with the Union. The Fox Union will be available in one flat and two clipless configurations, including one with a pair of Boa ratcheting dials.
- Price: $149.95 – $249.95
- Buy from Fox Racing.
New RAAW Yalla DH bike
The RAAW Yalla is a 29er downhill race bike with 203/198mm of travel front and rear. Naturally, the frame is alloy which RAAW says is “a wonderful material that can be formed, forged and machined into shapes that fit the purpose of a DH bike so well.” All of the cable routing is external for simple race-day maintenance and repairs.
- Price: $2,751 (no shock)
- Buy from raawmtb.com.
Easton releases new Gravel Handlebars
Easton’s latest EC90 ALX bars are made from carbon and have 10° of flare. They also have size-specific profiles that enhance the flex profile for vibration damping while maintaining a torsional stiffness through the drops.
Easton says the bars take the best of both the EC90 AX and SLX designs with an ergonomic top section. The bars have an 80mm reach, 123mm of drop, and come in 38/40/42/44/46cm widths.
- Price: $300
- Buy from Easton Cycling.
Reserve wheels add more affordable alloy option
The Reserve 30|SL AL & 30|HD AL wheels were just announced, bringing the brand’s wheel tech and consumer-friendly warranty to a lower price point. Both sets feature a 30mm internal rim width, DT Swiss 350 hubs, and an asymmetrical profile designed for trail, all-mountain, and enduro riding. The complete SL wheelset is said to weigh 1840g and the burlier, higher spoke count HDs weigh 1920g.
- Price: $699 / pair
- Buy from reservewheels.com.
Longer lightweight Fox Transfer SL dropper posts
The Fox Transfer SL is a lighter weight version of the brand’s popular dropper post, and was previously only available with 100mm of drop or less, typically specced on XC and even some gravel bikes. Now, the Fox Transfer SL is available in 125mm and 150mm lengths as well, and promises to weigh 25% less than a comparable non-SL Fox Transfer post. The longer posts are only available in a 31.6mm diameter, and the 125mm version weighs a claimed 432g.
- Price: $399
- Buy from Wiggle.
More Mission Workshop bike bags
We’ve been running the Mission Workshop Toro handlebar bag ($95) for a while now and we’re still loving it. Now there’s a matching seat bag (the Mission Saddle Bag, $68) and mini frame bag (the Slice, $110) to go with it! All of the bags are made in the USA and feature weather-resistant fabric and YKK Aquaguard Zippers.
- Price: From $68.
- Buy from Mission Workshop.
Bombtrack updates four bike models
Bombtrack recently updated four of their drop bar bike models, including the steel Bombtrack Beyond SUS adventure bike. The Beyond SUS features bosses for three bottle cages, a 40mm Rock Shox Rudy suspension fork, and clearance for 700x50c tires.
- Price: $2,289 (Beyond SUS)
- Buy from Bombtrack dealers.
New Kids Ride Shotgun kids jerseys
Kids Ride Shotgun, and they also wear bike jerseys too. The Australia-based brand just announced jerseys sized for kids ages 2, 4, and 6 years old with three designs to choose from: Dinos, Lions, and Unicorns.
- Price: $40.
- Buy from Kids Ride Shotgun.
Crankbrothers MTB shoes now in grom sizes
Crankbrothers is now offering their Stamp and Stamp Street lace bike shoes down to size three. The flat pedal shoes are designed for maximum grip while feeling comfortable off the bike too.
- Price: $129.99
- Buy from crankbrothers.com.
50th Anniversary Ritchey Outback gravel bike
It’s hard to believe Tom Ritchey has been making bikes for 50 years, and the Outback adventure bike is one of the brand’s best selling models. This special edition bike is described as “Half Moon Blue” and features mounts for three water bottles and clearance for either 650x50b or 700x48c tires.
- Price: $1,699 frameset (includes fork)
- Buy from ritcheylogic.com and Ritchey dealers.
Tailwind Nutrition limited edition flavor benefits Big City Mountaineers
Tailwind Nutrition has a new flavor to celebrate their partnership with Big City Mountaineers. The Grape Outdoors is a limited edition flavor with a combination of calories, electrolytes, and hydration with a “nostalgic” grape flavor. 10% of proceeds will benefit Big City Mountaineers.
- Price: $10 for a four pack
- Buy from tailwindnutrition.com
