News Roundup: Week of August 3rd

Unno Introduces a Revamped Dash

Spanish manufacturer Unno has released the latest iteration of their Dash trail bike, bumping the wheel size up to 29" and adding in an additional 10mm of rear travel. Unlike some of their other models, the Dash is a dedicated 29er in all of their sizes.

The Dash will be available in three sizes, covering riders from 160-200cm and two spec levels. The "Race Spec" features a mix of Fox suspension, SRAM GX AXS drivetrain paired with Formula Cura brakes and rolling on Crankbrothers Synthesis wheels. It will retail for 7,795 EUR. The "Factory Spec" comes with top-shelf everything, including SRAM XX1 AXS drivetrain, Synthesis carbon wheels, and Fox Factory suspension. Both variants also sport the one-piece carbon Deux Enduro bars.

For full specs and geometry, head over to the Dash landing page on the Unno website

Announcing the 2022 Esker Ride Scholarship

Esker Cycles is excited to announce that the ride scholarship, intended to enable more people to get outside on mountain bikes, is back again for 2022.

This summer, Esker Cycles wants to help get you out on the trail. With the Esker Ride Scholarship, we are providing a selected applicant the opportunity to receive a new Esker hardtail mountain bike to help them get out and do anything that they can dream up such as planning their next multi-day adventure or simply enjoying a first-time experience on a mountain bike.

We understand that there are barriers to entry within our sport, one of them being the upfront cost of purchasing a bike to ride. With this ongoing scholarship, we hope to be able to reduce those barriers ever so slightly in the best way that we know how—by offering a bike to a rider that could use it, and to provide an opportunity to get out and ride.

Anyone that would like to apply should fill out an application at eskercycles.com by August 31 to tell us why they think they would be a good fit for the ride scholarship, and what they plan to do with a new Esker hardtail mountain bike. Esker is especially encouraging newer riders with a vision for a particular ride or adventure and an interest in telling their story to apply.

It is expected that the selected applicant will carry out their ride or adventure within a year of receiving the bike, and that they will share their mountain biking experience with us through the medium of their choice. The selected rider will receive a Hayduke or Japhy in the size and color of their choice.

Esker started with a mission of getting more people outside on bikes, and this ongoing scholarship is just one small way for us to continue with that mission, and to enable more people to enjoy the sport of mountain biking like we do.

For more information on the program, and to apply, head to the Esker landing page

New from Pivot: The Shuttle SL

Smooth, stealthy, and as nimble as any unassisted trail bike, the Shuttle SL will turn skeptics into singletrack superheroes.

The Shuttle SL is a cutting-edge new trail bike that redefines how we think about - and how we ride - mountain bikes. It blurs the defined boundaries between full-power e-MTB’s and lightweight unassisted trail bikes, bringing to life both the benefits of electric assist AND the telepathic responsiveness that only an absence of mass can provide. This is a game changer.

“The Shuttle SL bridges the gap between an analog bike and an e-bike,” says Chris Cocalis, founder and CEO of Pivot. “It gives you that same dialed in, nimble traditional mountain bike feel while the power characteristics provide that perfect amount of an assistance making it feel like you’re having a really strong day on the bike-only you get to have it every day! We did this by laser-focusing on the strength to weight ratio, geometry and suspension to create an insanely light, yet perfectly powerful e-MTB.”

Think of this as the ultimate bionic full suspension trail bike. At 36.25 lb (16.4kg), 132mm travel, do-it-all mountain bike with a 60Nm FAZUA motor hidden just above the bottom bracket and a 430Wh battery nested in the downtube. The FAZUA  Ride 60 motor disengages completely when not in use; this makes for silent, drag-free operation when unassisted and an abundance of up-tempo, terrain devouring boost when you need it. The Shuttle SL brings the power to go further, the power to go bigger, with no weight penalty. Dw-link suspension, proprietary carbon fiber construction, size specific chainstays and super low standover all contribute to the Shuttle SL’s unrivaled performance; an e-bike that could only be the product of Pivot Cycles pedigree.

Pricing, Specifications, and Availability: The Shuttle SL will be available in Desert Sage Green and Blue Denim and can be purchased in either World Cup (Fox 34 140mm fork, DPS shock) or Team, Pro and Ride (Fox 36 150mm E-Tuned fork, Float X shock) builds, and priced from $8,299/8,999€ to $11,999/12,599€.  Available now, in sizes S through XL, at key Pivot dealers worldwide.
For more information visit the Shuttle SL landing page

Epocalypse: The Amplified Forest Shaker

The electrified Epocalypse is your tractor beam to the summit. This long travel overlander is prepped for the end of days, placing direct current between your heels to turn the steepest ascents into provocative dares. Inspired by our beloved Wreckoning platform, the battery boosted Epocalypse rides above two 29” wheels with 166mm of rear travel and 170mm below the bars. Posture for this genre-fluid beast closely resembles that of the Wreckoning for a proper dance party deep in the trees. The geometry teeter totter is well balanced across the Evil family tree and the Epocalypse drops into a cozy branch alongside its gravity kin.

Epocalyptic lightning flows into a low-slung Shimano EP8 motor to kick out 85Nm of pedal assistance at full throttle, backed by the brand’s burly 630Wh battery for max laps. Spin it up and let the good times rip! The motor’s trail-hugging heft will dig those rubber lugs in deep for unshakable stability and traction. Between the juiced watts and the pedaling prowess of our DELTA System, few ascents will tilt too steep for the Epocalypse. Electrified bikes are a blast whether gravity’s helping or hindering, and the engineers at Evil worked closely with Shimano to achieve an ideal power balance. Good luck locating a slope that the Epocalypse can’t scale.

After two years of rigorous testing and perfecting we’ve created the right machine for any rider’s version of fun. Engage Boost mode for anti-gravity that begs your full attention, or to charge from the apex toward the finish line. Though we only toggle the motor between Off and Boost mode around here, Eco and Trail settings will also suit your speed and save juice on longer outings. Riders can also choose between a pair of distinct power profiles in the Shimano dashboard to prolong the charge or jam all the watts into each assistance setting. And if you’re up for a daylong mission the Epocalypse battery can be swapped for a fresh cell in a matter of seconds. A pair of sturdy carbon triangles surrounds the EP8 powerhouse, protected from front tire projectiles by a custom skid plate beneath the motor and a shuttle shield under the downtube. As ever, chain slap is silenced by a hefty sound mound strip on the chain stay, and there’s a second slab of ‘shut-up” inside the seat stay. Our refined vascular system guides housing and hoses discretely through the frame, and some massive main-pivot bearings are ready to carry the powerful Epocalypse load all season long. A SRAM UDH derailleur hanger dangles from our SuperBoost+ rear end, keeping those precious drivetrain bits shifty, and hangers are available at most shops if you manage to clip a passing rock. In fact, each of the bike’s electric and analog components can be had at your local two-wheel Evil dealer, keeping the ride rolling and the maintenance time minimal. We wreckon these 442mm chain stays are worth a shout. The Epocalypse boasts the shortest carbon stays of any ebike on the market, maintaining that Evil slap-happy, side-hit slashing DNA we all know

and love. If you’re searching for a lightning-powered unicorn that’s deft at stabilizing descents and lofting roots whenever it’s asked, you’ve found it. We’ll leave you to choose between Low and X-Low geometry settings, and to select the standard or angle-adjust headset that best suits your style. The potential advantages of an electric Wreckoning run deep. More laps in a day, longer rides with friends, additional carrying capacity for dig days, and faster lunch laps when the schedule overflows. Adding battery power to your stable will morph rest days on the couch into trail parties with friends. We’re confident your sofa won’t mind.

LOOK Expands MTB Range with Two New Flat Pedals

LOOK Cycle expands its off road pedal family to include two new durable, high performance, French manufactured pedals: TRAIL FUSION and TRAIL ROC+. These new flat pedals build on the success of LOOK’s popular TRAIL ROC pedals launched in 2020. The new models were designed and tested over a two-year period of collaboration with professional freeride and slopestyle MTB rider, Thomas Genon.

The TRAIL range of flat pedals has been formulated to exceed LOOK’s stringent test standards and exceed every rider's reliability, strength and quality needs, whether professional or just starting their off-road journey. TRAIL FUSION offers durability and an attainable price point thanks to its composite material construction and multiple color choices. The premium TRAIL ROC+ is designed to meet the performance-focused athlete’s requirements via a forged aluminum pedal body with fully serviceable axle and bearings.

Both new TRAIL pedals feature replaceable pins, enabling riders to service and customize their pedals to test their abilities with complete peace of mind. Thanks to careful testing and multiple iterations of the pin positions, riders can be assured grip and control in every position. Both pedals are available in a variety of colors for customizable style, and have been designed, manufactured, and assembled in France.

Key features - TRAIL ROC+

• Body: Forged aluminum
• Footprint: 107 x 107 mm
• Weight: 195 g
• Pins: 10 per side
• Profile: 16 mm
• Color choices: Black, silver, orange
• Availability: Purchase online and via LOOK dealers worldwide from December 2022
• MSRP: €159.90 / USD$170 / GBP£149

Key features - TRAIL FUSION

• Body: Composite
• Footprint: 107 x 105 mm
• Weight: 161g
• Pins: 8 / side
• Profile: 18 mm
• Color choices: Lime green, ice blue, red, purple or black
• Availability: Purchase online and via LOOK dealers worldwide from 2nd August 2022
• MSRP: €49.90 / USD$55 / GBP£44.90

Nukeproof Announces the Sprung Collection

Be it at the trailhead, pits or across the internet forums, the “coil Vs air” debate has divided some riders. There are pros and cons for each, and the honest answer is there is no definitive answer, just a matter of opinion for what suits a riding style. Thankfully, the progressive kinematics of the Nukeproof Mega and Giga frames allow them to excel with either air or coil, so the choice really is that of the riders. 

In 2022 Nukeproof launched the Giga RS and MegaWatt RS utilising Rockshox’s Super Deluxe Coil. With a noticeable demand from customers, Nukeproof wanted to offer another coil option to the range. But which one? With so many specialists making high performance products and Nukeproof’s desire to only settle for the best it was a tough call. After months of testing and working with several manufacturers the choice was simple, why offer one when you can offer three? 

Nukeproof are proud to offer the Mega and Giga with the choice of rear shocks from specialist tuning houses PUSH, FAST and EXT.

The Nukeproof Reactor trail bike didn’t miss out on this limited-edition offering either. The Reactor’s kinematics really suit the air shock and with Rockshox also launching the latest generation of Super Deluxe shock, it’s a perfect time to offer something new here too.  

All frames are Ltd Editions and available through our global retail network starting on August 8th. It only leaves the question; how will you build yours?  

For pricing and details, head over to the Nukeproof website.