Hot on the heels of the release of the Smokey and Lorax titanium versions, Esker is following up with a different kind of metal.
The Smokey and Lorax are once again the newest members of the Esker family, but this time they arrive with steel frames that offer the durability and ease of maintenance that Esker prioritizes in its line. Both sport external cable routing, a threaded bottom bracket, and a 44mm head tube. They also carry a plethora of water bottles and accessory attachment points to facilitate big, backcountry adventures.
“We like to name our bikes after iconic defenders of wild spaces and the Smokey and Lorax are no exception. We like to imagine that if the legendary bear and mustachioed creature from our youth rode a mountain bike, these would be it“. – Tim Krueger, Owner of Esker Cycles
Lorax Steel
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel Lorax on gravel](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-Lorax-on-gravel-e1721066402753.jpeg)
The Lorax might be the ideal, do anything, drop bar mountain bike. It utilizes the same quad-butted steel tubing as the Hayduke hardtail. This gives it a supple, yet durable ride.
![](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-downtube-logo.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel toptube logo](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-toptube-logo.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel WTC carbon fork](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-WTC-carbon-fork.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel Seuss tree](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-Seuss-tree.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel XT cranks](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-XT-cranks.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel full bike blue](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-full-bike-blue.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel framset in Burlap](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-framset-in-Burlap.jpeg)
The Lorax is available as a complete bike or a frameset with a Wolf Tooth Lithic Carbon Mountain fork that’s painted to match.
The Lorax Geo
![Esker Cycles Lorax Steel Lorax Geo](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-Lorax-Geo.jpeg)
![Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-Lorax-Geo-chart.jpg](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Lorax-Steel-Lorax-Geo-chart.jpg)
Lorax Retail & Key Features
Retail: Starting at $1600 (frame & fork painted to match)
Complete builds: Starting at $3000 (with a cornucopia of upgrade options)
- Mountain bike fit and feel. Designed with shorter stems and wider handlebars in mind for more control and better handling in rough terrain.
- Optimized geometry for a rigid fork with a 495mm axle to crown, or a 120mm suspension fork.
- Mountain bike spacing standards: 73mm BSA bottom bracket, Boost spacing, 44mm head tube, 31.6 seat tube.
- Dropper compatible, with internal routing at the seat tube.
- Designed around a 29 x 2.2” tire with clearance for up to a 29 x 2.6”
- 15 attachment points + rack/fender mounts. Directly mount a top tube bag plus 3-pack mounts on both the bottom and top of your downtube.
- Custom drawn externally tapered, seamless, quadruple butted, heat treated 4130 DOM Chromoly tubeset that is specific to each frame size.
- Adjustable UDH Portage Dropout with a new Flat Mount version for the Lorax. Dial in your chainstay length or run as a singlespeed.
- Painted-to-match Wolf Tooth Lithic Carbon Mountain fork with adjustable offset and 3-pack mounts.
- Colors: Saguaro (Metallic Green), Burlap (Tan), Dusk (Dark Blue)
Smokey Steel
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel full bike on gravel](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-full-bike-on-gravel-e1721067504964.jpeg)
The Smokey is the most aggressive hardtail in the Esker line. It has the same features as the titanium counterpart. It’s built with a robust double-butted, heat-treated 4130 chromoly DOM tubeset.
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel Smokeys shovel](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-Smokeys-shovel.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel top tube logo](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-top-tube-logo.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel Dropouts](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-Dropouts.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel dropper routing](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-dropper-routing.jpeg)
The Smokey is ready for anything you or the trail throws at it.
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel schralpage](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-schralpage.jpeg)
The Smokey Geo
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel Smokey Geo](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-Smokey-Geo.jpeg)
![Screenshot 2024-07-16 at 7 Large](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-16-at-7-Large.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel Smokey frame Sage](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-Smokey-frame-Sage.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel Smokey frame Raven](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-Smokey-frame-Raven.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel Smokey frame Goldbar](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-Smokey-frame-Goldbar.jpeg)
![Esker Cycles Smokey Steel full bike](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Esker-Cycles-Smokey-Steel-full-bike.jpeg)
Smokey Retail & Highlights
Retail: $1000 (frame only), $1600 (frame & fork)
Retail: Complet builds starting at $3000 (with a cornucopia of upgrade options)
- Optimized geometry for a 160mm suspension fork, steep seat tube angle, long reach and wheelbase.
- Accessory/tool mount under the top tube
- Custom drawn, seamless, double-butted, heat-treated 4130 DOM chromoly tube set.
- Tire Clearance: Fits a recommended tire size range from 2.4″ to 2.6″.
- Hydration ready: Accommodates 2 water bottles in the front triangle for MD, LG, and XL sizes.
- Adjustable UDH Portage Dropout to tune your perfect chainstay length or run as a singlespeed.
- Colors: Raven (Deep Metallic Grey), Lichen (Forest Service Green), Gold Bar (GOLD).