Esker Cycles, a boutique mountain bike brand out of Bozeman, Montana, have announced a revised version of the Hayduke hardtail.
Esker is a new brand that launched just a month ago with the announcement of a Dave Weagle designed suspension platform on another model, the Elkat.
The Hayduke was originally an offspring of Advocate Cycles, but that brand has moved on and their legacy lives on in the form of Esker Cycles, hence the updated model from a brand that is only a month old.
The geometry on the 4130 chromoly steel-framed Hayduke has been updated. The tubes are claimed to be lighter and stronger, and the change cuts about a half-pound off the frame from the previous version. Esker also added more braze-ons to attach just about anything to the frame.
The Hayduke has a 74-degree seat angle, a 67.6-degree head angle, and a 425-437mm chain stay, depending on the dropout setting.
The Portage dropout system, as Esker calls it, allows 142mm or 148mm hub spacing, accommodates 27.5 and 29-inch wheel sizes, and enables adjustable chain stay lengths.
Perhaps the most noteworthy component of the Hayduke though is the price. A frame is $675 and comes with a rear axle, a headset, and a choice of sliding or fixed dropouts.
A complete build starts at $2,000 and includes a Fox 34 Performance 120mm fork, DT Swiss M1900 wheel set, Shimano SLX 1×11 drivetrain, and Shimano SLX brakes.
Rather than having build kit levels, this base kit can easily be upgraded at checkout on the Esker website. Adding a Fox Factory 36 or Cane Creek Helm fork increases the price by $200. Adding Industry Nine carbon wheels increases it by $1,600, and so on. Buyers can upgrade components they want, and leave components that don’t bother them as much in order to save money and get the build they want.
The Hayduke is available for pre-order on the Esker website. The bike is expected to ship in November.
Super sick hardtail.