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]
Commencal Meta V5 is here
The venerable Commencal Meta is now in its fifth iteration which brings UDH compatibility and updated geo, including two size-specific chainstay lengths. The integrated flip chip gives riders a 64.1° or 64.5° head tube angle and a 77.8 or 78.2° seat tube angle plus chainstays that range 435-436.8mm for size small and medium frames, and 440-448.8mm for size large and XL frames.
- Price: $4,000-$5,800
- Buy from commencal.com
Nicolai SWIFT Saturn eMTBs
Nicolai is anchoring their new SWIFT line of electric mountain bikes to the newly released Bosch SX motor, a lightweight and lower torque system that promises a more natural ride feel. The SWIFT Saturn 11 build weighs just over 36lb and features 120/106mm of travel front and rear. The bike comes with an inverted Intend Samurai fork and top-end XX Eagle Transmission, and is priced at an eye-watering €14,999 ($16K+).
- Price: €8,999-14,999
- Buy from nicolai-bicycles.com
New rugged Shimano MTB shoes
Shimano just dropped a pile of new mountain bike shoes in their EX and ET series. The EX900 (top left) is a hiking boot inspired shoe designed for bikepacking with a clipless pedal cleat channel and a BOA dial for a secure fit. The EX500 is another bikepacking shoe with men’s and women’s styles available, also designed for use with clipless pedals. New ET series flat pedal shoes are designed specifically for e-bike riding, whether commuting or touring.
- Price: $130-300
- Buy from Shimano retailers.
Limited edition white Marzocchi forks
If you’ve always wanted a Marzocchi fork but can’t stomach the color red and find black boring, you’re temporarily in luck: Marzocchi is now offering their popular Bomber forks in white. We’re told this colorway is a limited edition, with pricing similar to the red and black forks.
- Price: $159-1,049
- Buy from marzocchi.com
New Smith Lineup sunglasses
The Smith Lineup sunglasses are designed for everyday wear with generous coverage and a flat frame. The Lineups are available in multiple frame colors and with or without Chromapop lens.
- Price: $149-199
- Buy from Smith Optics.
Rapha adds a lightweight trail short and insulated jacket to MTB Lineup
Rapha’s new Trail Lightweight shorts are made for the warm days ahead. They are made from a hybrid fabric which the brand says regulates temperatures on hot days, and they have a reinforced seat for durability, two hand pockets and zippered side pockets for phones and other storage.
The insulated short sleeve jacket packs into its own internal chest pocket and can be strapped to a bike frame when not in use. The jacket has a DWR finish too for light wind and rain resistance.
- Price: Jacket: $195, shorts: $158
- Available: Rapha website and stores
Insta360 GO 3 is a tiny action cam
Action camera brand Insta360 has a new unit out, weighing in at only 1.2oz and is “thumb size,” according to the brand, though it may depend on the person’s thumb. Insta360 has a cool video showing all the tiny camera’s capabilities. For mountain bikers, it looks like you can mount this thing anywhere on the bike without worrying about the heft of the camera pulling the mount or arm astray. The camera comes with three storage options: 32gb, 64gb, or 128gb.
- Price: $380-$430
- Available: https://www.insta360.com/
