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ALL HAYDUKE, JAPHY, SMOKEY AND LVS COMPLETES WITH GX EAGLE DRIVETRAINS ARE 20% OFF. DISCOUNT APPLIED IN CART AUTOMATICALLY!

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Whats so special about the Portage Dropout?

The Portage Dropout is designed to make your frame more durable, and to make your frame more usable in the long term. By keeping the frame interface to 2 simple holes, and putting all interfaces and threaded parts on the replaceable aluminum inserts, the Portage Dropout allows for adaptations to future new standards, multiple different axle spacings, different brake mount standards, different derailleur mounting standards, adjustable chainstay lengths, single speed capabilities, and more. Anything you bugger up is easily replaceable in just a few minutes. And with its wide bolt spacing, and investment-cast frame weldements, it makes for a stronger frame than other adjustable dropout systems on the market.  

See an exploded diagram HERE.

What types of Portage Dropouts Exist and which models do they work with?

  • Classic Portage Quick Release:
    • Advocate Cycles Lorax Only - 142mm Quick Release.
  • 142mm Single Speed:
    • Hayduke and Japhy (Steel and Titanium)- no longer produced.
  • 142mm Fixed Position Geared:
    • Hayduke and Japhy (Steel and Titanium)- no longer produced.
  • Classic Portage Adjustable:
    • Esker Cycles Lorax Titanium: 142mm spacing // 167mm axle // M12x1.75 thread pitch.
    • Hayduke and Japhy (Steel and Titanium): 148mm spacing // 174mm axle // M12x1.75 thread pitch.
    • Esker Cycles Walden Titanium: 197mm spacing // 229mm axle // M12x1.75 thread pitch.
    • Advocate Cycles Watchman: 177mm spacing // M12x1.75 thread pitch.
  • UDH Fixed Position:
    • Hayduke and Japhy (Steel and Titanium): 148mm spacing // 180mm axle // M12x1.0 thread pitch.
  • UDH Adjustable:  
    • Hayduke and Japhy (Steel and Titanium): 148mm spacing // 180mm axle // M12x1.0 thread pitch.
 

What hardware works with each portage dropout? 

  • Classic Portage QR: M8x14mm stainless bolts x4 // M8 stainless nuts x4
  • Classic Portage Adjustable:
    • Geared: M8x14mm stainless bolts x4 // M8 stainless nuts x2 // Fixed Adjustable Nut x2
    • Single Speed // Adjustable: M8x14mm stainless bolts x4 // M8 stainless nuts x4 // M3 set screws x2
  • UDH Fixed Position: M8x14mm stainless bolts x4 // M8 stainless nuts x4 // applicable UDH
  • UDH Adjustable: M8x14mm stainless bolts x4 // M8 stainless nuts x4 // M3 set screws x2 // applicable UDH

You can find more technical information HERE.

Can I adjust my chainstay length with a Portage Dropout?

 Absolutely! If you're looking to run your Portage Dropout equipped frame as a single speed, want to extend your chainstay for more tire clearance, or simply want to play around with different handling characteristics, the Portage Dropout system will allow you to adjust your chainstay length up to 14mm. (Measurements are taken from the shortest advertised chainstay length for each model)

    • Classic Adjustable Portage Dropouts:  Using the FAN System
      • Position 1: +0mm
      • Position 2: +3mm
      • Position 3: +6mm
      • Position 4: +14mm
    • UDH Adjustable Portage Dropouts:  Using the FAN System
      • Position 1: +7mm
      • Position 2: +10mm
      • Position 3: +13mm
      • Position 4: +21mm

*Remember - chainstay length can effect tire clearance, so make sure to always test-fit your desired tire width*

How does the Fixed Adjustable Nut (FAN) work? 

 The FAN (Fixed Adjustable Nut) allows for chainstay length adjustment without using tension screws, and gives a more durable attachment than nuts used for a sliding/adjustable mode. FANs work with both Classic and UDH Adjustable Portage Dropouts. The 2 threaded holes in the FAN allow for 4 unique dropout positions/chainstay lengths.

*Remember - chainstay length can effect tire clearance, so make sure to always test-fit your desired tire width*

Can Hayduke/Japhy/SMOKEY be run as a Single Speed?

 Yes, our Portage Dropout System allows for 14mm 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. If your current Portage Dropout uses a FAN, you'll want to replace it with an M8 Nut and utilize the Tensioning Screws (M8 Nuts and Tensioning Screws provided with each frame/complete bike).

*Remember - chainstay length can effect tire clearance, so make sure to always test-fit your desired tire width*

Can The LORAX be run as a Single Speed?

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. However, in its standard configuration, the Lorax utilizes a Flat-Mount Portage dropout that is not adjustable. If you would like the ability to adjust chain tension or play with tire clearance and chainstay length, you will need to utilize our Adjustable UDH Dropouts. These dropouts run a post-mount brake standard and are only available when ordering a frame (not a complete bike). If you would like this option, simply email us at info@eskercycles.com when placing your Lorax frame order and we’ll make sure it ships with the Adjustable UDH Dropouts.  

*Remember - chainstay length can effect tire clearance, so make sure to always test-fit your desired tire width*

How do the Portage Dropouts effect tire clearance?

 The adjustability that Portage Dropouts can allow will help to increase the overall tire clearance as you extend the overall chainstay length.

For example: The Hayduke Steel has clearance for a 29x2.5" tire in the 423mm chainstay position, and 29x2.8" clearance in the 437mm chainstay length position using the Classic Portage Dropouts.

Do I need the UDH Dropout if I'm running a mechanical Drivetrain?

Absolutely not, but having a dropout plate in which you can simply replace the 'hanger' instead of having to replace the entire plate if something goes wrong is convienient and simple. If you'd prefer to run the Classic Portage Dropouts that do not have a replacement hanger, you'd be able to shorten your overall chainstay length by 7mm and run your rear tire 'TUKT' if thats your thing.

*Remember - chainstay length can effect tire clearance, so make sure to always test-fit your desired tire width*

Running Transmission?

Here is some information you should know:

 

  • SRAM's Transmission Drivetrains will only work with the UDH version of our Portage Dropouts. The Classic Dropouts are not compatible.
  • When using the Adjustable UDH Portage Dropouts, only the 2 longest FAN settings will work so that the chain clears the dropout while in the 10T cog.
  • For those wanting to run the shortest chainstay length possible with Transmission, our Fixed Position Portage Dropouts allow you to do so. You can find those HERE. 

Why are the UDH dropouts 7mm longer than the Classic Dropouts?

SRAM's UDH dropout, while a super nifty design, utilizes a lot more material/space than our Classic Dropout. In order for the UDH to work on our Portage Dropouts, the design needs to be slightly longer than that of the Classic Dropout, resulting in an additional 7mm of length in the overall chainstay measurement of our frames.

EXAMPLE:  Our Japhy has a chainstay range of 423-437mm with the Classic Dropout, and a range of 430-444mm with the UDH.

What are the torque specs for the Portage Dropouts? 

 M8 Bolts = 12nm // Axle = 9-12nm

You can find more technical information HERE.

How do the Portage Dropout Rack Mount Bolts work? 

 

 

Rack Mount Bolts allow the addition of a rear rack to any Esker bike using the Portage Dropout system. Additional threads within the extension bolt allow racks to be mounted to the bolts from the outer side. Rack Mount bolts act as a stand-off from the frame for mounting a rear rack. They are broached for 8mm Allen just like the standard hardware, but are also center tapped for M5 (standard rack size). These are to be specifically utilized on Esker hardtails that do not have existing rack mounts, or if you’d prefer a lower mounting solution than what the frame mounted rack mounts provide.

CLICK HERE for a quick tutorial.