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].
New Marin Rift Zone E models
Marin just announced electric versions of their popular trail bike, the Rift Zone. The Marin Rift Zone E models feature a bit more travel in the rear than the non-electric version, with 140/140mm front and rear. The brand, known for offering value-oriented builds and specs, seems to be taking a page from Wendy’s triple-cheeseburger playbook. (Dave Thomas, Wendy’s founder, famously noted he added the triple cheeseburger to the menu to sell more double cheeseburgers.)
The entry-level, Rift Zone E ($4,499 USD) comes with a Shimano EP6 motor, 504Wh battery, and a 10-speed drivetrain compared to the top-of-the-line Rift Zone E2 ($6,299) which has the latest Shimano EP801 motor, a bigger 630Wh battery, a Fox 36 Performance Elite fork, and TRP DH-R EVO 4-pistion brakes.
The real sweet spot — aka the double cheeseburger — is the $4,899 Marin Rift Zone E1. This build comes with the larger, 630Wh battery, a Shimano EP6 motor (it produces just as much torque as the EP801), an 11-speed drivetrain, and a RockShox Pike fork with Motion Control damper. Not only that, both the E1 and E2 ship with Cushcore inserts installed.
- Price: $4,499 – 6,299.
- Buy from Marin dealers.
Daysaver Essential8 multi-tool
The Daysaver Essential8 may look like one of those free hex wrenches you get with your Ikea bookcase, but it’s actually a clever bike multi-tool. Nested bits provide eight functions, and paired with the Daysaver Coworking5 tool, you can also get a chain breaker and tire lever in addition to hex and torx heads.
- Price: $45 (Essential8), $77 (Essential8 & Coworking5)
- Buy from daysaver.fun
New Race Face Turbine Wheelset
The Race Face Turbine has been a popular wheelset for many years, and the latest version builds on the EWS-proven Turbine R. The 30mm-wide (internal) alloy rims have been optimized for improved ride feel and feature a wider rim edge to reduce the chance of pinch flats. The set is built with Vault hubs that deliver three degrees of engagement via six pawls. Race Face even offers a lifetime warranty that covers crashes.
- $799 wheelset
- Buy from Race Face retailers.
Nukeproof Dissent Carbon
Nukeproof is teasing a new carbon version of the Dissent downhill mountain bike, which athletes have been racing in World Cup races since at least last season. The bike has 200mm of travel front and rear, and will be offered in three sizes. The Nukeproof Dissent has a flip chip so it can run either a pair of 29er or mixed wheels, fits tires up to 2.5″ wide, and has integrated bump stops around the top and head tube area to protect against fork impact.
- Price: Frame only £2999.99 (GBP) / $3599.99 (Euro) / $3199 (USD). Builds from $5,199 USD.
- Buy from Nukeproof retailers.
New Spot Rallye gravel bike
The New Spot Rallye carbon gravel bike fits up to 2.1″ tires and is dropper-post ready. The frame sports a sub-70° head angle and works with a suspension fork for those who want to upgrade from the included rigid carbon front end.
- Price: $3,999 frameset, builds up to $8,499.
- Buy from Spot dealers.
Alchemy Lycos drops price on carbon gravel bikes
Alchemy is dropping prices on their carbon Lycos gravel bikes, with builds priced starting at $4,999, which is $2,500 off the original price. The Alchemy Lycos fits up to 700x50c tires and has three bottle cage mount points.
- Price: $4,999-7,999
- Buy from Alchemy.
Roval Alpinist CLX II wheels
Roval says their latest Roval Alpinist CLX II wheels are their lightest gravel set yet, weighing 1250g. The 25mm-wide (internal) hooked rims are tubeless-ready and are optimized for 28-47c tires.
- Price: $2,500 for the pair.
- Buy from Specialized.
New Violet Chris King colors
New component colors aren’t usually worthy of a Gear Watch mention, but 3D Violet is actually a pretty big deal when it comes to Chris King. The brand says, “Inspired by BMX culture of the ‘80s, 3D Violet became a runaway success for King and launched the colored anodization program that has been a cornerstone of the company’s aesthetic ever since. ‘3D’ in the color’s name refers to a specific, stock anodization color. It has no actual three-dimensional effect, nor will it cause the user to shift into a third dimension (probably).”
- Price: TBD
- Buy from chrisking.com.
Wilde Rambler SL
The Wilde Rambler SL is positioned as an all-road bike that prioritizes both comfort and fun. The steel frame is reasonably priced, and builds start at $3,100.
- Price: $1,500 frameset
- Buy from wildebikes.com.
