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].
Salsa launches electric gravel bikes, previews eMTBs
Salsa just announced two new electric gravel bikes, the Tributary (above) and the Confluence. The Salsa Tributary is a Class 3 electric drop bar bike capable of a top assisted speed of 28mph using a 85Nm Bosch Performance Line Speed motor and 625Wh battery. It’s available with or without a suspension fork and builds start at $5,499.
The Salsa Confluence is available as a flat bar or drop bar bike. The alloy frame houses a 250Wh battery while the 40Nm motor uses an older hub-based design. Builds feature a carbon fork with prices starting at just $2,499.
- Price: From $2,499
- Buy from REI
Salsa eMTBs
Details about the forthcoming Salsa eMTBs (starting at $4,999) are coming into focus with the brand announcing model names and some basic specs. The Salsa Moraine is a trail bike featuring “light” assistance while the Salsa Notch is an electric enduro bike with presumably more assistance and a bigger battery. Both full suspension bikes will utilize a Split Pivot design.
New Fox and Race Face tailgate pad
Race Face and parent company Fox have a new tailgate pad on offer. The Race Face T3 and Fox Mission tailgate pads are one in the same, with a folding design that’s compatible with a tonneau cover and a new rigid molded protector designed to keep bikes secure without damaging them. Buyers can choose from two-bike, five-bike, and six-bike pad sizes.
- Price: $130 (two-bike) and $259 (five- and six-bike)
- Buy from Fox and Race Face retailers
GORE-TEX Spinshift jacket uses new membrane tech
The new GORE-TEX Spinshift jacket, with a slim profile and “innovative body mapping,” uses an ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane to keep the jacket thin, light, and PFC-free while giving it water and windproof protection. It’s also made with recycled content and weighs just over 5oz.
- Price: $270
- Buy from GoreWear
Michelin Wild Enduro MS and MH tires use new dual-ply casing
Michelin has two new aggressive mountain bike tires on the market: the Wild Enduro Mixed Soft (MS) and Mixed Hard (MH) out as of last week. The tires use a new dual-ply, 55TPI construction to minimize tire roll and maximize stability and reduce the risk of puncture. Michelin also said they have reduced the weight of these tires by 10% from the previous versions of the tires.
Michelin also has a new “bespoke high-performance tire” for e-bikes. The tire also uses a dual-ply 55TPI tire casing with a reinforced tread.
Michelin’s Wild Enduro MH weighs between 1,300g and 1,335g depending on the size and the MS weighs between 1,200g and 1,290g.
- Price: $99.99
- Buy from Worldwide Cyclery
Canyon GRIZL:ON electric gravel bike
Canyon wants the GRIZL:ON to be the “genre-defining e-gravel bike.” The Canyon GRIZL:ON comes with a Bosch Performance Line SX motor, RockShox Rudy front suspension, built in lights including two on the seat stays, and drop bars. Buyers can also pick up optional accessories like a Fidlock top tube bag and a range extender for long days in the saddle.
- Price: Builds from 4,999€
- Buy from canyon.com
Panaracer GravelKing updates
The Panaracer GravelKing is a popular tire among gravel riders and the brand is hoping the latest improvements will make it even more so. For starters, the tires utilize an all-new, gravel-specific compound called ZSG that’s said to offer a good combination of low rolling resistance with grip in a wide range of conditions. The tires also feature an exclusive casing known as TuffTex and a new “BeadLock” bead that’s designed to work well with both hookless and clincher rims.
- Price: From $64.99
- Buy from Panaracer retailers
Wilde Waypoint carbon gravel fork
The new Wilde Waypoint carbon gravel fork features three pack mounts on each leg plus fender mounts and internal routing for a dynamo cable. The 478g (uncut) fork fits tires up to 27.5×2.3″ and disc brake rotors up to 160mm.
- Price: $525
- Buy from wildebikes.com
