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The State of the Bicycle Industry - A Note on Supply Chain

Maximum Tire Size

 

Q - What is the maximum tire width for Elkat/Rowl?
  • 2.6”
 
Q - What is the maximum tire width for Hayduke/Japhy?
  • Hayduke has clearance for 27.5x2.8” in the forward position, and 3.0" in the rearward position
  • Japhy has clearance for 29x2.6" in the forward position, and 2.8" in the rearward position

 

Fork SPEC

 

Q - What are the recommended fork specs for Hayduke?
  • Hayduke is optimized around suspension forks at 30% sag with an axle to crown height of ~495mm, or a rigid fork with an a-c height of 495mm. For suspension forks, the following are examples of forks that are recommended for use with Hayduke
    • 29" fork with 120mm travel and 51mm offset
    • 27.5"+ fork with 130mm travel and 44mm offset
    • 27.5" fork with 140mm travel and 44mm offset
    • Rigid fork with an a-c length of 495mm (+/- 5mm) and an offset of 51mm
 
Q - What are the recommended or approved fork specs for Japhy?
  • Japhy is optimized around suspension forks at 30% sag with an axle to crown height of ~495mm, or a rigid fork with an a-c height of 495mm. For suspension forks, the following are examples of forks that are recommended for use with Japhy
    • 29” fork with 120mm travel and 51mm offset
    • Rigid fork with an a-c length of 495mm (+/- 5mm) and an offset of 51mm
    • We do not recommend 27.5” or 27.5”+ plus forks with Japhy
 
Q - Can Hayduke or Japhy be set up with a rigid fork?
  • Yes, but it would need to be a suspension corrected fork with the same axle to crown height as outlined in the Geo charts

 

Q - What are the recommended fork specs for Elkat?
  • Elkat is optimized around a 27.5" 160mm suspension fork with a 44mm offset
Q - What are the recommended fork specs for Rowl?
  • Rowl is optimized around a 29" 150mm suspension fork with a 44mm offset

 

HUB Spacing

 

Q - What hub spacing is used on Esker bikes?
  • Currently, all of our bikes are designed around the Boost standard of 148mm rear hub spacing and 110mm front hub spacing.
Q - Can I purchase a Hayduke/Japhy with 142mm dropouts instead of 148mm?

 

Chainline

 

Q - What chainline are Esker bikes designed around?

      • Hayduke and Japhy are designed around the Boost 148mm rear spacing standard, and a 52mm chainline.

      • Elkat and Rowl are designed around the Boost 148mm rear spacing standard, and a 52mm chainline.

 

Maximum CHAINRING SIZE

 

Q - What is the maximum chainring size?
  • Hayduke and Japhy
    • 34t round or 32t oval (Boost)
    • 32t round or 30t oval (non-Boost)
 
  • Elkat and Rowl
    • 32t round or 30t oval (Boost)

 

BRAKE MOUNTS

 
Q - What disc brake adapters do I need for my Hayduke/Japhy?
  • Esker hardtails currently use IS mounts designed around a 160mm native rotor size. You will need to use a 0mm IS disc brake adapter when using a 160mm rotor, and a 20mm IS disc brake adapter when using a 180mm rotor.
    • Rotor size 160mm Shimano - SM-MA-F160P/S or SM-MA-R140P/S
    • Rotor size 160mm SRAM - 0mm IS disc brake adapter
    • Rotor size 180mm Shimano - SM-MA-F180P/S or SM-MA-R160P/S
    • Rotor size 180mm SRAM - 20mm IS disc brake adapter
 

Seatpost INsertion

 

Q - What is the maximum insertion on an Esker?
  • All max insertion measurements are now included in the geometry section of each bike model page

 

PORTAGE DROPOUT

 

Q - Can Hayduke/Japhy be run as a Single Speed?
  • Yes, our Portage Dropout System allows for 12mm of horizontal adjustment allowing you to set it up as a dedicated single speed or convert it to single speed in an emergency trailside situation
Q - How does the portage dropout work?
  • Our Portage Dropout System uses a 12mm x 142 or 148mm thru axle and has set screws to adjust its horizontal position (before final threadlock, tighten, and torque of mounting hardware). You can check out a detailed view of the Portage Dropout HERE
Q - Can I purchase a replacement dropout kit for Hayduke/Japhy?
  • Yes, we offer replacement dropout kits HERE

 

Rack MounTs

 

Q - Can you install a rear rack on the portage dropouts?
  • It is possible with the optional portage rack mount hardware, which is currently out of stock. Please check back for updates on rack mount inventory.
  • https://eskercycles.com/collections/parts

 

BB HEight

 

Q - What is the bottom bracket height on my Esker?
  • We do not publish the BB height because of the wide variance in tire diameter. We publish the BB “Drop” which is the only consistent and accurate measurement we can use to identify the relationship between the center of the BB and wheel axles. BB drop measurements are located in the geometry section of each bike model page

 

STANDOVER

 

Q - What is the standover height on an Esker?
  • All standover measurements are now included in the geometry section of each bike model page

 

SHOCK COMPATABILITY

 

Q - What shocks are used on the Elkat and Rowl?
  • We currently use Fox DPX2 shocks that are custom tuned to each specific bike model. A non-tuned shock will not behave as well as the custom tuned shock that is intended to be used on the bike along with the Orion Suspension platform, and we do not recommend their use. The shock sizing specs are listed in the frame specs section of each bike page on our website.
Q - Is the Elkat or Rowl coil shock compatible?
  • We are currently working on getting final approval for a few different coil shocks. As of now, there are no recommended or approved coil shock options. Please stay tuned for future updates.
Q - Will you be offering more shock options in the future?
  • Yes, we are always testing new shocks for our bikes and plan to offer additional shock options for our Orion Suspension equipped bikes in the near future.
 

Chain Guide / Bash Guard

 

Q - Is there a chain guide/bash guard option for the Elkat or Rowl?
  • We are currently working on an option that will allow for both. In the meantime, you can use the OneUp components chain guide or our custom Esker bash guard. At this time, our bikes do not allow the use of both at once.
 

ORION SUSPENSION

 

Q - What is Orion?
  • The Orion Dynamics suspension platform is a patented suspension design created by Dave Weagle. Esker uses the Orion platform on all of our full suspension bike models.
Q - Does it ride like a DW Link?
  • No. It is a completely new design that happens to be designed by the same person as the DW Link. It is similar in that it is a short dual link design but it differs in that because of being designed around only a single chainring, the various instant centers (pedaling, braking, mass transfer) can be finer tuned to where they need to be. The shock rate is also more linear leading to excellent early bump compliance and mid travel support.
Q - What are some other benefits of Orion?
  • Esker suspension bikes that use the Orion platform are able to offer incredible pedaling efficiency while isolating pedal, suspension, and braking forces. We believe the Orion platform provides an incredible overall ride quality and delivers a more enjoyable experience throughout the entire ride. Check out more information on Orion Suspension HERE
 

DEMO OPPORTUNITIES

 

Q - How can I demo an Esker?
  • For the most up to date opportunities, check our Dealer Locator here: https://eskercycles.com/pages/dealer-locator If there are no shops near you, please consider taking a trip to one of our destination demo shop locations on the demo locator map. If none of these options work for you, please send an inquiry to info@eskercycles.com and we will do everything we can to get you onto an Esker in another way.
 

SHIPPING

 

Q - What are the shipping rates for Esker bikes?

  • Shipping rates for Esker framesets and completes are as follows:

    • Cont. US – Frame $40 Complete $100

    • Non-Cont. US Frame $70 Complete $250

    • Canada – Frame $100 Complete $250

    • Rest of World – Frame $250 Complete $450

 

PRE-ORDERS

 

Q - How does the pre-order process work?
      • A $100 non-refundable deposit will reserve any incoming frameset or complete. Once your bike is in transit to our warehouse, we will reach out with an invoice for the balance due for your bike minus the deposit paid.
      • Arrival estimates are included with each pre-order. Estimated dates are based on our incoming inventory timeline, and represent our current best estimate as to when we will receive your bike and begin production. Esker will reach out to you along the way with timeline changes, and to let you know where your bike is at in the process.
      • All Esker bikes are proudly built to order in Montana. Bike building is a multi-stage process involving many moving parts. Once your bike has arrived, the balance is paid, and it has entered into the production stage, we estimate up to 4 weeks to build and ship your bike.
      • With market volatility this year, your frame and build kit may have different availability dates. The later of these two dates is your expected delivery timeframe, and an Esker rep will confirm this with you after placing your order.  
 

Product availability

 

Q - What's going on with the delays and availability?

      • The past year has been a challenge—in the bicycle industry, and in the entire world. You may have heard about supply chain shortages in many industries. If not, what we are seeing is that COVID-19 has created a cascading situation of supply chain shortages as various suppliers of finished goods and raw materials were forced to reduce staff or close for periods of time. Coupled with the side effect that people are wanting to get out on bikes more than ever, fueling a surge in demand, bikes are now in short supply. As a result, it can be difficult to give specific answers on availability and lead time. We kindly ask for your help and understanding as we navigate the current situation and the ripple effect that it will likely have on our products for the foreseeable future.

      • Read more about this in our State of the Industry message here: https://eskercycles.com/pages/state-of-the-industry