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].
Transition Spur gets UDH
The Transition Spur is now UDH-compatible, and the brand is offering fresh SRAM Eagle Transmission builds that take advantage of the new dropouts. Buyers can choose from two new colors as well, Hazy Gray and Blackberry.
- Price: TBD
- Buy from Transition dealers
Crankbrothers Mallet and Stamp Trail Lace shoes
Crankbrothers announced Mallet and Stamp BOA shoes for trail riding recently, and now they’re following up with less expensive lace versions of both shoes. The Mallet and Stamp Trail Lace shoes are available in flat or clipless versions.
- Price: $149.99 (flat) and $169.99 (clipless)
- Buy from Crankbrothers
RockShox Flight Attendant algorithm update
Beep boop, Flight Attendant just got smarter. SRAM has updated the Flight Attendant suspension control algorithm to incorporate even more rider data, including power data, for ever-more personal results. The suspension adapts to the rider, automatically selecting from one of four zones: sprint, high efffort, medium effort and low effort.
The brand says most riders will see even more frequent Flight Attendant suspension setting changes during a typical ride with additional data and the algorithm update which suggests it should be even more efficient.
- Price: $2,899
- Buy from Worldwide Cyclery
Vittoria teams up with Craft for a semi-slick… running shoe?
The new Craft Xplor running shoe doesn’t just use Vittoria rubber… the sole is literally made from bike tires, according to Craft. Specifically the tread comes from Vittoria Terreno Mix and Terreno Dry gravel bike tires for a shoe that’s meant to work well on and off road. Men’s and women’s sizes and styles are available.
- Price: $139.99
- Buy from Craft
WTB TPU tubes and new tubeless tire valves
Few mountain bikers run tubes these days, but a lot of us still carry a spare just in case of a flat. But tubes tend to be heavy and bulky, which is why WTB is launching Nanoair TPU tubes. Similar to Tubolito tubes, the Nanoair tubes are lightweight and compact. They’re also pricey so hopefully you won’t have to use one.
- Price: $34.95
- Buy from REI
Ritchey Comp Buzzard handlebar
The new Ritchey Comp Buzzard handlebar promises a more comfortable riding position for bikepacking with a 70mm rise for a more upright riding position. The 27.5° backsweep, paired with wide, 820mm width, may be just what you need for long distance rides.
- Price: $49.95
- Buy from Ritchey retailers
Tailwind Rapid Hydration Mix is easy to drink any time of day
Tailwind, known for the calorie-dense hydration mixes has a new mix out and it has a blend of vitamin C and electrolytes. Tailwind says it mixes easily and clearly and has a light taste–easy to mix in a water bottle or glass at home. Rapid Hydration is available in orange, strawberry lemonade, lemon lime, berry and raspberry in 12-, 15-, and 25-pack boxes. Each packet has 45 calories and is intended for 18-24oz of water.
- Price: $18.99-$29.99
- Buy from Tailwind
