We like to name our bikes after iconic defenders of wild spaces and the Smokey is no exception. We like to imagine that if that legendary bear from our youth rode a mountain bike, this would be the one. The Smokey is longer, lower, and slacker than any bike we have ever made and it is the perfect tool for exploration when the backcountry gets rowdy.
The Smokey may be the most aggressive frame we have ever made, but it still has all the values that make it an Esker. Prioritizing durability and ease of maintenance, the Smokey has external cable routing, threaded bottom bracket and a 44mm head tube. The Smokey boasts four different water bottle and accessory mounting positions, including a 3-pack mount on the downtube for when you need a little extra carrying capacity.
The Smokey is crafted from custom drawn, seamless, double butted, heat treated 4130 DOM chromoly tubeset delivering a durable yet comfortable all-mountain hardtail
Optimized for a 160mm suspension fork, the frame has ample tire clearance, fitting up to 2.6" tires.
The versatile Portage Dropout System is now Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) compatible. This system is designed to switch easily between geared or singlespeed drivetrain types. While the adjustable chainstay lengths allow you to perfectly tune your ride feel.
Geometry
S1/SM | S2/MD | S3/LG | S4/XL | |
A - Effective TT Length | 571 | 608 | 639 | 679 |
B - Reach | 430 | 465 | 490 | 520 |
C - Wheelbase | 1178 | 1217 | 1254 | 1304 |
D - CS Length | ||||
F - Effective ST Angle | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 |
G - ST Length | 375 | 410 | 440 | 475 |
H - HT Angle | 64.5 | 64.5 | 64.5 | 64.5 |
I - HT Length | 90 | 100 | 127 | 174 |
K - Fork Length | 530 | 530 | 530 | 530 |
BB Drop | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Stack | 612 | 622 | 646 | 688 |
Rider Height | ||||
Max Seatpost Insertion | 195 | 190 | 240 |
Hardtail geometry based on 30% fork sag. To see a complete Esker size guide go to the Esker FAQ >> Size Guide
For more information about chainstay length and our Portage Dropout System go to Esker FAQ >> Portage Dropouts
Frame Specs
Frame Material | Seamless, double butted and heat treated 4130 DOM chomoly |
Weight | 3,300 grams or 7.28lbs for S2/MD - Weight includes dropouts, axle, seat collar, and cable guides |
Frame Includes | Wolf Tooth seatpost collar, rear axle, Adjustable UDH Portage Dropout, cable guides and bolts |
Headtube Diameter | 44mm ID, 50mm OD |
Rear Dropout Spacing | 148mm |
BB Type | Threaded 73mm English |
Headset Lower Stack Height | 13mm |
Tire Size | Designed around 29x2.6" Accomodates up to 29x2.8" depending on tire and rim choice, and dropout position |
Seatpost | 34.9 clamp, 31.6 post, internally routed |
Thru Axle | Boost 148 / 180mm / M12x1.0 |
Max Chainring | 34t round / 32t oval / Boost Chainline |
Brake Mount | Post Mount, 180mm rotor native |
SMOKEY FAQ
- Q - What size frame should I buy?
Q - What wheel sizes can I use on the Smokey?
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The Smokey was designed and optimized for 29" wheels with 2.6” tires (up to a 2.8" width).
Q - Whats the maximum tire width that the Smokey will take?
- 29x2.6" in the shortest chainstay length postition, and 29x2.8" in the furthest back chainstay length position
Q - What fork travel can I use on the Smokey?
Q - What length dropper comes with a complete build?
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SM = 150mm PNW Loam dropper that can be adjusted down to 125mm of travel, or a 160mm Wolf Tooth Dropper that can be adjusted down to 110mm of travel.
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MD/LG/XL = 170mm PNW Loam dropper that can be adjusted down to 145mm of travel, or a 200mm Wolf Tooth Dropper that can be adjusted down to 150mm of travel.
Q - How many water bottles will the Smokey carry?
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SM = 1 bottle in the front triangle, 1 bottle under the downtube.
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MD/LG/XL = 2 bottles in the front triangle, 1 bottle under the down tube.
Q - Can I put a rear rack on the Smokey?
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Sure Thing! While our Hayduke model has dedicated rack mounts built into the frame, the Smokey can still utilize a rear rack by installing our Portage Rack Mount Bolts and a Seatpost Clamp with Rack Mounts.
Q - Can I single-speed the Smokey?
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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 Smoky?
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Technically, yes, but we don't offer any support on figuring out which hubs and support parts may be needed in order to make this happen. Have fun!
Q - How does the Portage Dropout System work?
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The Portage Dropout System attaches to our hardtail frames and allows you to adjust chainstay length (for ride characteristics or tire width clearances) and chain tension (for single speed application).
Q - How long does it take to get my bike/frame once I order it?
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That depends. If it's a bike/frame that you're placing a Pre Order for, the item will have an ETA window associated with it once you select it on the product page. If it's a bike/frame that we have in stock, we will email you the shipping eta once the order is placed - that can vary from 2-6 weeks depending on how many orders are in front of yours.
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NOTE: If you want to speed up the delivery of your frame/fork, order it through one of our Retail Partners. They receive priority shipping when orders are placed through them.
Q - How much assembly do I need to do if I order a bike directly through the webstore?
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Not much at all. Our complete bikes arrive 90% pre-assembled. For more information and assembly instructions, head on over to our Tech Documents page and click the 'New Bike Assembly Instructions' link.
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If you would prefer having your bike assembled through your local Esker Retailer, please order your bike directly through them. They'll help you figure out your size, work with you on spec/upgrade options, and get your bike built for you exactly how you want it.
Q - Do you do custom builds?
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We do not. We offer a limited menu of upgrade options for all of our bikes, but we do not do custom builds.
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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?
- The Smokey is crafted from custom drawn, seamless, double butted, heat treated 4130 chromoly DOM tubesetdelivering a durable yet comfortable all-mountain hardtail
Q - What kind of Titanium do you use?
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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 - What does your warranty look like?
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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 your own, and CONGRATULATIONS :)
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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.
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No Fault Replacement
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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.
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Click HERE to Submit a Warranty Claim.
Q - Can I order one of your frames/bikes through a local bike shop?
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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?
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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 nearby and ask them what they may have available for you to demo locally.
Q - I want to buy a frame bag before my bike/frame arrives, can you provide the frame bag dimensions for the Smokey?
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We don't recommend buying a frame bag until you have your frame/bike on hand. That is the absolute best way to ensure you get the right size and shape for your bike.
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If you're looking to make a custom bag(s) for your Lorax, 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!
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Cadaero - Two Harbors, Minnesota
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JPaks LLC - Denver, Colorado
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Rogue Panda - Flagstaff, Arizona
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Rockgeist - Asheville, North Carolina
Built for the Back Country
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 tenets:
Durability
We build our steel hardtails from 4130 Chromoly for the utmost in durability. Our double-butted, seamless tubeset provides a greater strength to weight ratio than other 4130 frames on the market by engineering it specifically for its application while the complete Electrophoretic Deposition (ED) coating of the frame resists corrosion inside and out for an extremely long and worry free life.
Geometry
Esker is known for designing well refined, stable handling, and neutral geometry bikes so that you always feel like you are at home, as the bike seems to disappear underneath you from mile 2 to mile 92 and beyond. The newest generation brings even further refinement with size-specific headtubes and that increase more per size, creating proper stack for every rider.
Ride Quality
Steel is real - but engineered steel is more real. By engineering a frameset that utilizes a proprietary custom drawn, seamless, double butted, heat treated 4130 Chromoly DOM tubeset that is specific to each frame size, we can build a frame that is strong and durable with a fully tuned ride quality, giving it more compliance and lower weight than steel frames using stock tubing while also increasing torsional rigidity and strength.