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]
Antidote Bikes releases the Woodsprite Trail
Antidote Bikes has a new Woodsprite on the market, built around their Floating Damping Suspension system, which uses a single rocker link and fixes the shock to the swingarm. Antidote says the bike has a quick and stable ride. The bike uses 29″ wheels, has 135mm of rear travel, and is built around a 140-150mm fork. The bike is available in sizes M, L, and XL. A medium has a 76.6° effective STA, a 65.5° HTA, and 450mm chainstays. Frames and complete builds are available.
- Price: Starting at 3,800€ (frame only)
- Available online from Antidote.
Shimano XC7 cross-country shoe in for test
The latest Shimano XC7 shoes are billed as “XC competition-level” footwear, though that’s not to say we won’t be wearing them on trail and gravel rides too. Two Boa ratchets promise a dialed fit (ha!) and right off the bat we’re loving the plenty-wide toe box and supple synthetic leather uppers. Look for a full review later this spring or early summer.
- Price: $230
- Available at Competitive Cyclist
New Cleary Scout kids bikes
Cleary recently took the wraps off three sizes of their lightweight kids mountain bike ranging from 20- to 26-inch wheels. All are specced with an aluminum frame, ten-speed drivetrain, suspension fork, and disc brakes.
- Price: $990-$1,090
- Available in July (24″ model) and August (20″ and 26″ models).
Lezyne packable torque wrench
Just a few years ago most torque wrenches were neither packable nor affordable, Fortunately Lezyne found a way to kill both birds with one stone with the Pocket Torque Drive. The new packable version of the Lezyne Torque Drive tool comes with six common hex and Torx bit sizes and can be set for torque values between 2-6Nm which should cover most cockpit and frame adjustments.
- Price: $64.99.
- Available from Lezyne.
Lizard Skins re-launches Lever Grips
Lizards Skins, makers of several beloved grips, have relaunched their Lever Grips, which cover brake levers with a soft polymer, increasing friction between fingertip and brake lever. The material they use has been used on professional baseball bats and hockey sticks and comes in three colors; black, red, and grey.
- Price: $12.99
- Available at Lizard Skins
Find an in stock Salsa on Instagram
With so many bike shops having inconsistent stock right now, it can be hard to find the right bike. Salsa is trying an interesting approach: hashtags. The brand posted on Instagram that riders can search Instagram with the #salsainstock hashtag and find a dealer that has a bike in stock. Shops are offering shipping too, according to Salsa, if the location is too far away.
- Price: Varies
- Available, possibly, from a Salsa dealer somewhere.
Kitsbow’s new kits are ready for summer
Made-to-order brand Kitsbow has some new lightweight options to compliment their existing goods. The Haskell Lighterweight Short and Lighterweight pant are nearly identical to the Haskell shorts and pants, but in a lighter material for more breathability. Kitsbow has added the a new women’s merino tank too, the Marlette, featuring a blend of wool and synthetic fabric for better stretch recovery and moisture control.
- Price: Starting at $65 for the merino tank top, shorts priced $199 and up.
- Available at Kitsbow
Giant announces new Dash GPS units
The new Giant Dash M200 and L200 cycling computers feature 16Gb of storage and all the standard features mountain bikers expect from a GPS unit. Dash computers are integrated with Stages and are compatible with Garmin mounts.
- Price: $279 for the smaller, M200 unit.
- Available from Giant.
Hornit Airo balance bike weighs just 6.5lb
Thanks to its magnesium alloy frame, the Hornit Airo weighs just 6.5lb, less than many of the competing scoot bikes on the market. It also features foot rests for easy coasting and a padded stem cover to avoid ouchies.
- Price: $185.
- Available at Amazon and other online retailers.
Suunto 5 Peak GPS watch in for test
With so many available functions, it’s gonna take us some time to test this one thoroughly. The tiny color screen packs a surprising amount of detail and even offers basic navigation. We’re also stoked about the built-in sunset alarm; otherwise we’d find ourselves lost in the dark more than we would like this summer.
- Price: $299.
- Available at Backcountry
Icebreaker Merino Tech Lite II Earth Day Shirts
Connect with nature in these 100% merino wool shirts from Icebreaker. The new designs featuring original artwork by Mélanie Johnsson and Antra Švarcs were released on Earth Day in men’s and women’s styles.
- Price: $85
- Men’s and women’s styles available from Icebreaker
