Updated Features for 2025
Updated Features:
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Simplified sizing range: SM, MD, LG, XL
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Updated Geo: Increased Stack offset with a longer Effective TT
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Removed Seatstay Bridge: Increased compliance and ride quality
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Optimized Dropper Port Location: To ease cable routing
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Bolt-On Cable Routing: Allowing for bolt-on frame bags and stealthier routing for those using fancy robot shifting…or no shifting at all
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Custom Chainstay Protector: Its protection for your chainstay…and its custom
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Slimmer Top Tube: Smaller diameter Top Tube for increased compliance and reduced weight
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New Chainstay Yoke: Slimmer profile
- Hitching Post: Seat Tube bottle boss/gear strap - Allows for increased seatpost insertion
Complete Build Spec // UPGRADE OPTIONS
Complete Base Spec | Upgrade Options | |
Fork | Rockshox SID 3P Select // 120mm // 44mm offset // Black |
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Headset | ZS44/EC44 - Black Spacers = 30mm |
*Includes color matching seatpost clamp* |
Cockpit | Stem: Alloy // 35mm clamp // 50mm length Handlebar: PNW Range Alloy // 38mm rise // 800mm wide Grips: PNW Loam Saddle: Ergon SMC Sport Gel Saddle // M/L Dropper & Lever: PNW Loam Dropper // Range Lever SM: 150mm - adjustable to 125mm M/L/XL: 170mm - adjustable to 145mm
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Brakes | SRAM DB8 Stealth - 4-piston - Mineral Oil Centerline 180mm Rotors |
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Drivetrain | SRAM Eagle 90 Crank - 170mm 30T Chainring // Wheels Manufacturing Solo XD 18T | |
Wheels | Stans Flow S2 Comp 29 - Tubeless Tape and Valves Installed | |
Tires | Maxxis Rekon EXO - 29x2.6" | |
*Build Specs are subject to change - so is life, take it easy out there*
Geometry
S1/SM | S2/MD | S3/LG | S4/XL | |
Effective TT Length | 570 | 611 | 634 | 660 |
Reach | 420 | 450 | 470 | 500 |
Stack | 600 | 610 | 625 | 645 |
HT Angle | 66* | 66* | 66* | 66* |
HT Length | 95 | 105 | 125 | 145 |
Effective ST Angle | 76* | 76* | 76* | 76* |
ST Length | 375 | 410 | 440 | 475 |
Max Seat Tube Insertion | - | - | - | - |
Chainstay Length - Adjustable | 430-444 | 430-444 | 430-444 | 430-444 |
Fork Offset | 44 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
Fork Length | 495 | 495 | 495 | 495 |
BB Drop | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Wheelbase | 1130 | 1164 | 1192 | 1231 |
Stem Length | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Recommended Rider Height | 5'3"-5'7" | 5'6"-5'10" | 5'9"-6'1" | 6'0"-6'4" |
*Hardtail geometry based on 30% fork sag*
For more information about chainstay length and our Portage Dropout System go to our Portage Dropout Page
Frame Specs
Frame Material | Custom seamless, quadruple-butted, tapered, Drawn Over Mandrel, size-specific, ED Coated, 4130 Chromoly |
Frame Weight | 2,855 grams for Medium - Weight includes dropouts, UDH, axle, seat collar, and cable guides |
Recomended Fork Travel | 120mm suspension fork at 30% sag (495mm A-C) - Forks within +/- 10mm approved |
Headset Specs | ZS44 upper // EC44 lower |
Rear Dropout | Esker Portage Dropout - Adjustable - UDH // 148mm Hub Spacing // M12 x 1.0 x 180mm Axle |
Tire Clearance | Designed around 29x2.6" Accomodates up to 29x2.8" *Clearance may vary based on your drivetrain choice (Chainline), rim width, actual tire measurement, and dropout position* |
Seatpost Specs | 34.9 clamp, 31.6 post, internally routed |
Bottom Bracket | Threaded 73mm BSA |
Chainring Specs | Maximum = 34t round / 32t oval 52mm or 55mm Chainline |
Japhy FAQ
- Q - What size frame should I buy?
Q - Should I get a Hayduke or a Japhy?
- How do you ride?
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- The Japhy is an everything trail bike - its your night ride bike, its your durable hardtail, and it can even do an overnighter once in while. The geometry is designed to be a bit more stable at high speeds, wheelie and bunnyhop easier, and lower your center of gravity by not only using a smaller front triangle and lower standover height, but a lower bottom bracket to get your feet a little closer to the ground. It also has a steeper seat tube angle than the Hayduke, making it much more enjoyable for seated climbs, and a little less forgiving on flatter, more pedaling based rides.
- The Hayduke is a more dedicated bikepacking bike made to take more gear. It has more front triangle space, more neutral geometry for hauling a load, and more places to mount gear. It also has a more relaxed seat tube angle than the Japhy, which makes it more comfortable for flatter, more pedaling based rides.
- If you carry gear 10% of the time, and mostly just want an awesome riding hardtail that you can depend on, get the Japhy. If you carry gear more than 50% of the time, and wanted a more dedicated bike for that purpose, get the Hayduke.
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Q - How many water bottles will the Japhy carry?
- SM = 1 bottle in the front traingle, 1 bottle under the down tube
- MD/LG/XL = 2 bottles in the front traingle, 1 bottle under the down tube
Q - What length dropper comes with a complete build?
- SM = 150mm PNW Loam dropper that can be adjusted down to 125mm of travel.
- MD/LG/XL = 170mm PNW Loam dropper that can be adjusted down to 145mm of travel
- For more information on the adjustability of the PNW Loam dropper, click HERE.
Q - Can I put a rear rack on the Japhy?
- Sure Thing! You can utilize a rear rack by installing our Portage Rack Mount Bolts and a Seatpost Clamp with Rack Mounts.
Q - Can I single-speed the Japhy?
- You betcha! Our Portage Dropout System allows you to adjust the chainstay length by up to 14mm, allowing you to run a single speed setup reliably, quietly, and with ease. Heck, we even have a single speed build option that you can buy!
Q - Can I run an internally geared hub on the Japhy?
- Technically, yes, but we recommend working with your favorite professional mechanic to figure out which hubs and support parts may be needed. Have fun!
Q - How does the Portage Dropout System work?
- The Portage Dropout System attaches to our hardtail frames and allows you to adjust chainstay length (for ride characteristics or tire width clearances), chain tension (for single speed application), or different hanger types (UDH or Classic).
Q - Do you do custom builds?
- We do not. We offer a limited menu of upgrade options for all of our bikes, but we do not do custom builds.
- If you'd like to have a custom Esker built up, please reach out to one of our Retail Partners and they'll work with you on getting you exactly what you want!
Q - Do your steel frames ride different than your Titanium frames?
- Yes and No. Based on our own riding input, as well as a ton of great input and feedback from our customers, find that our steel frames have a very similar feel when it comes to compliance on the trail in comparison with our Titanium frames. The biggest difference that most individuals feel is the weight savings of Titanium. Our Titanium frames are around 650-900grams lighter than their steel counterparts. This weight savings results in a 'snappier' and more 'lively' riding characteristic when on the trail.
Q - Do I need to 'Frame-Saver' your steel frames after I buy one?
- NOPE! We treat all of our steel frames with an Electrophoretic Deposition (ED) coating inside and out prior to painting them for rust protection.
Q - What does your warranty look like?
Q - Can I order one of your frames/bikes through a local bike shop?
- Absolutely. That would be the best way to order one of our frames/bikes! Working with your local bike shop allows you to get great insight on which model is right for you, which size may work best for your intended use, and ensure that your bike gets built up and fit to your exact specifications. Jump on over to our Dealer Locator to see a full map of our retail partners and find the one closest to you.
Q - Can I demo a bike before I buy it?
Q - I want to buy a frame bag before my bike/frame arrives to me, can you provide the frame bag dimensions for the Japhy?
- We don't recommend buying a frame bag until you have your frame/bike on hand. That is absolute best way to ensure you get the right size and shape for your bike.
- If you're looking to make a custom bag(s) for your Esker, we've partnered with some incredible custom frame bag makers that all have our frame dimensions and files on hand. Please reach out to one of the following frame bag makers to get the exact bags made for your bike that you want!
- Cadaero - Two Harbors, Minnesota
- JPaks LLC - Denver, Colorado
- Rogue Panda - Flagstaff, Arizona
- Rockgeist - Ashville, North Carolina
We here at Esker enjoy long rides into the wild spaces and are proud to say our bikes are truly Built for the Backcountry. That means they are designed and built on three values:
Each tubeset provides a greater strength to weight ratio than other frames on the market and engineered specifically for its application. Every Esker frame is tested to our own internal standard far exceeding ISO 4210, for a true lifetime of constant use. Esker will get you into the backcountry as far as you want to go, but it will also get you back!