Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Esker Cycles just announced the next-generation Hayduke, their versatile hardtail that we first put through its paces along the Baja Divide. After two years of development, here’s a quick look at what’s new with this updated model…
- Quick Highlights
- Angles (LG): 67.6° Head tube, 74° Seat tube
- Chainstay: 425-437mm
- Bottom Bracket: Threaded 73mm English
- Rear dropout spacing: 142mm or 148mm
- Seatpost Diameter: 31.6mm
- Max tire size: 27.5x-3.0″ / 29×2.3″
We first reviewed the original Hayduke back in 2016 when Lael Wilcox took hers to Mexico for a punishing three-month scouting ride of the Baja Divide Bikepacking Route. Esker Cycles has spent the last two years refining it, and it’s just been relaunched with updated geometry, lighter and stronger tubing, more braze-ons, and a fresh array of colors.
Where the original Hayduke used an off-the-shelf tubeset, the next-generation frame uses a custom drawn, externally tapered, seamless, quadruple butted, heat treated 4130 CroMoly, specific to each frame size (XS-XL), which shaves half a pound off the overall weight.
The new Hayduke keeps its signature Portage dropout system, designed to allow easy swapping of drivetrains, wheel sizes, hub widths, and chainstay lengths. And with clearance for up to 27.5×3.0″ or 29×2.3″ tires, several sets of bottle mounts, internal dropper post routing, and rack mounts, it looks to be well-suited as a bikepacking rig.
Pricing starts at $675 for the frame kit (including rear axle, seat collar, Wolftooth Components headset, and your choice of dropouts). Complete Hayduke builds start at $2,000 and are customizable with a variety of upgrades to suit your needs. Hayduke models are available for pre-order now and are estimated to ship in November.
See complete details at Esker Cycles.
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