• Q - What size frame should I buy? See the table below for a complete Esker Cycles model line-up size guide
• • NOTE: Many folks can fit more than a single frame size. If you find yourself at a height in which you can fit 2 different frame sizes, ask yourself what your riding style is like and where/how you intend to use the bike. A larger frame will feel more stable at high speeds, but not as maneuverable in tighter and more technical situations on the trail. Inversely, a smaller frame will be less stable at speeds, but allow you to pick up and place your wheels in technical sections of trail much easier.
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Q - What's the maximum tire width that the Hayduke will take?

• While the Hayduke was designed around 29x2.6" tires, it will fit up to tires labeled 29x3.0" depending on your chainline, rim width, actual tire width, and dropout position.

Q - What fork travel can I use on the Hayduke?

• The Hayduke is designed around 120mm suspension forks, or a rigid fork with an Axle to Crown height of 495mm). We also test and approve the use of suspension forks within +/- 10mm of the original 120mm design.
  

Q - Can I run a rigid fork on the Hayduke?

• Absolutely! Rigid Forks with an axle to crown measurement of ~495mm work best to maintain the original geometry design and ride characteristics.

Q - How many water bottles will the Hayduke 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 Hayduke?

• Sure Thing! Our Hayduke model has dedicated multiple rack mounts built into the frame, or 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 Hayduke?

• 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 Hayduke?

• 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 - The Size/Color that I want is out of stock, is there any way to get the specific one I want?

• Possibly. Shoot us an email at info@eskercycles.com and we'll do our best to connect you with one of our retail partners if they have one in stock.

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 - What kind of steel do you use?

• Our steel frames utilize an in-house designed proprietary 4130 chromoly tubeset. This custom drawn, externally tapered, seamless tubeset is quadruple butted to ensure the best combination of weight savings, torsional rigidity, and overall strength. We heat treat all of our steel frames and finish them off with an electrophoretic deposition (ED) coating inside and out prior to paint. This ED coating helps to protect the frame from rust and corrosion (no frame saver needed!)

Q - What kind of Titanium do you use?

• We build our titanium frames from seamless, double-butted 3/2.5 titanium. This tubeset provides an incredible balance of weight and strength that we find to be paramount for those big backcountry missions and covering the countless miles of abuse we've seen on our frames. We engineer this tubing specifically for this application and value Titanium's longevity both in fatigue, abrasion and corrosion resistance.

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?

• Esker 1,000,000 Mile Warranty: Yup, you read that right, we'll cover any defects in material, craftsmanship, or design up to 1,000,000 miles. If you hit 1,000,001 miles...you're on you own, and CONGRATULATIONS :)
  • Esker Cycles will repair or replace, at its option, any frame that it determines to be defective due to defects in the original materials and/or manufacturing. This limited warranty does not apply to wear and tear, prior claimed defects, or any failures or malfunctions that result from abuse, neglect, misuse, alteration, crash, collision, or any improper assembly or maintenance. This warranty is in effect for the life of the product, applies only to the original owner, and is non-transferable. By REGISTERING your bike with Esker Cycles as the original owner of the product, we guarantee service in regards to any and all warranty related issues. You will be required to present proof of purchase for any warranty claim. This warranty does not cover shipping or logistics to and from Esker Cycles.
• No Fault Replacement
  • Esker Cycles will make replacement frames or parts available at a minimum charge in the event of a crash or other non-warranty situation for the life of the frame. Esker Cycles does this at its sole discretion. You will be responsible for all shipping costs to and from Esker Cycles.
• Click HERE to Submit a Warranty Claim.

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?

• We do our best to travel around throughout the year and often partner with regional mountain bike festivals or local retail partners to host demos. For the most up to date opportunities, check our Dealer Locator.  You can also see a full map of our retail partners - reach out to them if you're near by and ask them what they may have available for you to demo locally.

Q - Should I get a Hayduke or a Japhy?

• How do you ride?
  • 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.

Q - I want to buy a frame bag before my bike/frame arrives to me, can you provide the frame bag dimensions for the Hayduke?

• 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