Hayduke Lives…on, as Big Sky Country’s, Esker Cycles announces the next generation of their iconic Hayduke mountain bike. The Hayduke is a versatile hardtail that’s ready for any adventure, mayhem, or monkey wrench you may throw at it.
The Hayduke can be anything you need from a loaded multi-day bikepacking companion to a nimble single-speed, singletrack shredder.
Like all of the bikes in Esker’s lineup, the Hayduke is built on the brand’s three tenets of durability, refined geometry, and ride quality.
Durability:
“We build our steel hardtails from 4130 Chromoly for the utmost in durability. Our proprietary quad-butted, seamless tube set 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”.
Refined 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. This new version brings even further refinement with size-specific headtubes, slightly taller seat tubes, and a bottom bracket drop that will keep you balanced and comfortable for the long haul”.
Ride Quality:
“Steel is real – but engineered steel is even more real. By engineering a frameset that utilizes a proprietary heat treated 4130 Chromoly tube set we can build a frame that is strong and durable with a fully tuned ride quality that is specific to each frame size. This custom drawn, externally tapered, seamless, and quadruple butted tube set gives it more compliance and is lighter weight while also increasing torsional rigidity and strength”.
What’s New for Hayduke?
All-new for 2023, the Hayduke is now purposely designed around the 29″ wheel platform. With the 29″ wheel size and size-specific headtubes combined with the custom-tuned tube sets, the new Hayduke will excel in keeping you comfortable on long days in the saddle.
The all-new Hayduke can clear 2.4″ to 2.8″ rear tires with 4 different set positions. And the new “fixed adjustable nut” (FAN) on the updated Portage Dropout System allows for fine-tuning of balance between tire clearance and chainstay length.
There are also threaded rack mounts on the new Hayduke, allowing additional versatility to carry more on your backcountry adventures.
The new Hayduke still comes equipped with handy and functional threaded cable guides and bolt-on frame bag mounting options as well. Esker says that custom bags from JPaks, Rogue Panda, and Cedaero can be “ordered directly as those brands already have the drawings for a perfect fitting, bolt-on frame bag for each individual size of Hyduke frame“.
2023 Hayduke Geometry
| S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | |
| A – Effective TT Length | 570 | 581 | 611 | 634 | 658 |
| B – Reach | 402 | 420 | 450 | 470 | 490 |
| C – Wheelbase | 1105 | 1125 | 1155 | 1176 | 1201 |
| D – CS Length | 425-437 | 425-437 | 425-437 | 425-437 | 425-437 |
| F – ST Angle | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| G – ST Length | 350 | 380 | 435 | 485 | 530 |
| H – HT Angle (30% sag) | 67.6 | 67.6 | 67.6 | 67.6 | 67.6 |
| H – HT Angle (0% sag) | 65.6 | 65.6 | 65.6 | 65.6 | 65.6 |
| I – HT Length | 95 | 100 | 105 | 115 | 130 |
| J – Fork Offset | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
| K – Fork Length (30% sag) | 492 | 492 | 492 | 492 | 492 |
| BB Drop | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Stack | 586 | 598 | 603 | 612 | 626 |
| Rider Height | 4’11”- 5’3″ | 5’2″- 5’7″ | 5’6″- 5’11” | 5’10”- 6’2″ | 6’1″+ |
| Standover (0% sag) | 716 | 735 | 768 | 808 | 830 |
| Max Insertion | 180 | 189 | 239 | 289 | 335 |
Retail for Complete Bikes and Framesets
Each Esker Cycles frameset and/or complete bike is custom-built to order in the US. They offer two different build packages and several upgrade options to choose from, allowing them to build your dream bike.
Frameset
Retail: $1000 – Includes a Wolf Tooth Performance Headset, our 4-position Portage dropout system, and axle. Set screws and nuts for single-speed-ability with 17mm of adjustment are included as well.
Comes in colors: Bluebird, Darkness, and Chili
Complete Build Option SRAM GX
Retail: $3000 – Includes SLX 4-piston brakes, a full SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, NoTubes Flow wheels, and a Marzocchi Z2 fork are “all the leading names in an excellent performing, value-oriented kit”.
Complete Build Option Shimano XT
Retail: $4000 – Includes Full Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes, Industry Nine A35 Stem and Enduro S 1/1 wheels, MRP Raven fork, and RaceFace Next R Carbon handlebar “make the Hayduke XT top-shelf at a reasonable price“.
Upgrades
“Want to choose your preferred color of Wolf Tooth Components? For $150, any frameset or complete lets you choose your accent color, and upgrades your headset to a Wolf Tooth Premium while adding a Wolf Tooth seat collar, axle, Axle Handle multi-tool, and Echo Lock on grips.
Upgrade any Complete bike with Fox Factory, changing the fork to a Float 34 Factory GRIP2 and the seatpost to a Transfer Factory for $700 for GX package or $200 for XT package.
How about carbon wheels? Level up with Industry Nine 1/1 Enduro S Carbon wheels to any GX package for $850 or any XT package for $650″.
The new 2023 Hayduke will begin shipping in February, available at all Esker Dealers worldwide or directly from the link below.
