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].
Rockshox VIVID shock update
The Rockshox VIVID enduro/DH shock has been updated with a new damping system dubbed Touchdown. Here’s how SRAM describes the tech.
“TouchDown technology bypasses the compression damping generated by the main piston in the first 10% of its travel. Quieting trail chatter is just the beginning. To handle hectic terrain, the next 70% of Vivid’s travel rides on controlled and stable compression damping. Adding to TouchDown technology’s adaptability, Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom Out lets you tune rear suspension feel for the harsh hits that dip into the final 20% of travel.”
- Price: $699-$729
- Buy from Rockshox retailers.
New Lithic carbon fork is lightweight and adaptable
Wolf Tooth and Otso teamed up to create the Lithic rigid carbon mountain bike fork. The fork features an innovative system for adjusting the offset and fitting various brake and hub standards. Lithic fits up to 29×3.0″ tires and features cage mounts that can carry up to 5.5lb of gear.
- Price: $629.95
- Weight: 624g (bare fork)
- Buy from Wolf Tooth.
Cannondale LAB71 Scalpel SE
Cannondale has a new ultra-light version of the Scalpel that’s primed for racing. The LAB71 Scalpel SE features the brand’s lightest-weight carbon frame, a Lefty Ocho carbon fork, and SRAM XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain that delivers 120mm of travel front and rear, more than enough for the most demanding XC courses.
- Price: $14,000
- Buy from Cannondale dealers.
Ornot handlebar bag
Ornot is making a name for itself in the gravel apparel realm, and the company makes nice bags as well. The latest handlebar bag, the Ecopak, features a generous main zippered pocket plus stretchy mesh pocks on the outside for quick access to snacks and your phone.
- Price: $86
- Buy from ornotbike.com.
Club Ride X-Wind packable jacket
The water-reistant and stretchy Club Ride X-Wind jacket features reflective accents and a chest pocket for small items that doubles as a stuff sack for the jacket itself. Available in multiple colors in sizes small through XXL, and the women’s version features a hood.
- Price: $119.95
- Buy from Club Ride.
Whisky Scully handlebar
The Whisky Scully handlebar is a self-described “nerd bar” designed for both comfort and control, particularly when it comes to long distance rides. With a 5° upsweep and a massive 23° backsweep, the 20mm riser bar will be available in 780mm and 820mm widths, and in carbon or aluminum.
- Price: $65 (alloy), $180 (carbon)
- Clamping surface diameter: 31.8mm
- Buy from Whisky Parts Co. retailers.
Crankbrothers F-Series multi-tool
Crankbrothers has a new set of F-Series multi-tools with a cigarette-style design that packs a lot of tools into a small space. Both the F-11 and F-16 multi-tools come with the most common bits for turning bolts and plugging tires plus storage for chain links. The F-16 adds a chain tool to the package.
- Price: $49.99 and $59.99
- Buy from Crankbrothers retailers.
Santa Cruz Skitch
We’re not sure what to make of the electric Santa Cruz Skitch, but the marketing materials make it look like a fun bike to ride, if not on trails then at least on your urban commute. Santa Cruz says the carbon Skitch is available with either flat or drop bars and features a 430Wh battery. With a 28mph top assisted speed, this class three e-bike isn’t exactly trail-legal but looks more than capable for tackling long gravel rides.
- Price: $6,300-$7,300
- Buy from JensonUSA.
Chris King Splash is made for MADE
The MADE Bike Show in Portland, which celebrates handmade bikes around the world, is coming up this weekend. To celebrate, Portland-based Chris King is making a limited edition batch of anodized components for both mountain and road/gravel bikes. They aren’t cheap, but they are cool.
- Price: $3,275-$3,450
- Buy from chrisking.com.
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Aug 23, 2023