Esker Cycles Smokey on the trail

BUILT TO BE ICONIC

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.

 

BIG TRAVEL FOR BIG RIDES

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.

Mountain bike leaning against a tree with scenic desert landscape in the background. Esker Cycles

 

FEATURE PACKED

29" Wheels

Clearance up to a 2.6" tire

160mm Travel Fork

Custom Tubing - seamless, double-butted, tapered, Drawn Over Mandrel, size-specific, ED Coated, 4130 Chromoly

Portage Dropout - for adjustability, singlespeed and upgradeability.

UDH Compatible


Design & Order your Smokey

GEARED COMPLETE

Starting at $3,000 - Click to Configure

SINGLE SPEED COMPLETE

Starting at $2,700 - Click to Configure

FRAME/FORK

Starting at $1,000 - Click to Configure


Geometry

S1/SM S2/MD S3/LG S4/XL

Effective TT Length

571

608

639

679

Reach

441

473

501

531

Stack

612

622

646

688

HT Angle

64.5*

64.5*

64.5*

64.5*

HT Length

90

100

127

174

Effective ST Angle

77*

77*

77*

77*

ST Length

375

410

440

475

Max Seat Tube Insertion

225

260

290

325

Chainstay Length

440-454

440-454

440-454

440-454

Fork Offset

44

44

44

44

Fork Length

530

530

530

530

BB Drop

60

60

60

60

Max Seatpost Insertion

195

190

240

Wheelbase

1178

1217

1254

1204

Stem Length

35

35

35

35

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

3,300 grams or 7.28lbs for S2/MD - Weight includes Dropouts, Axle, Seat Collar, and Cable Guides

Recomended Fork Travel

160mm suspension fork at 30% sag (530mm 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

SMOKEY FAQ

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.

 

 

Q - What length dropper comes with a complete build?

  • 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.

  • 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.
      • For more information on the adjustability of the PNW Loam dropper, click HERE.
      • For more information on the adjustability of the Wolf Tooth dropper, click HERE.

Q - How many water bottles will the Smokey carry?

  • SM = 1 bottle in the front triangle, 1 bottle under the downtube.

  • 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?

Q - Can I single-speed the Smokey?

  • 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?

  • 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 - 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 - What kind of Steel do you use?

  • The Smokey is crafted from custom drawn, seamless, double butted, heat treated 4130 chromoly DOM tubeset delivering a durable yet comfortable all-mountain hardtail

 

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 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?

  • 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.

  • 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!


 

 

BUILT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY
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:
REFINED GEOMETRY
Specific geometry to suit the riders needs for each different model, we have designed and developed a quick and responsive ride quality for all Esker models. Our geometries are refined, stable, and comfortable to provide a bike that always feels right at home.
DURABILITY
We build our bicycles with the highest quality metal tubing for the utmost in durability.
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!
RIDE QUALITY
Not too flexy, not too stiff…but just right! We are riders, and design our bikes by riding them, constantly, to refine the perfect feel. We toil over every model to ensure the ride simply feels right and comfortable, like your favorite hoody