It seems like it was just yesterday that Revel introduced the Ranger. OK, it was three years ago at this point, but it still feels fresh. We liked the bike… a lot. But considering it wasn’t SRAM UDH compatible, that left the bike on the outside looking in at that fancy new SRAM Transmission.
You could see this update coming, but more than simply adding the UDH, Revel made a number of changes to make this Ranger better than ever – though the basics haven’t changed. It’s still a 29″ wheeled ‘downcountry’ bike with 115mm of rear CBF suspension that pairs well with a 120mm travel suspension fork. Like the rest of the Revel lineup, the Ranger has a playful attitude that likes to ride more aggressively than those numbers would imply.
There’s an all-new rear triangle with that UDH, but there are also all-new suspension links and suspension hardware. Including titanium shock mounting hardware. More importantly, there is a new collet axle design with bigger 15mm bearings for the lower-rear pivot. All of this together equates to a claimed 20% increase in stiffness without adding any weight.
That new rear triangle also boosts tire clearance; it’s still claimed at 29 x 2.6″, but Revel tells us it’s improved from the previous design. There’s also more clearance around the chainring, with a maximum of 36t clearance.
More Frame Protection
All mountain bikes take a beating, so it’s nice to see improved frame protection in the form of a much more robust molded chainstay protector, and a rear triangle debris guard, aka, mini-fender.
Unchanged among the frame details are a threaded bottom bracket shell, an Integrated 52/42 headset, fully guided internal cable routing, optional routing for a rear shock lockout, and an extra accessory mount at the top of the downtube (except size small frames).
SRAM Eagle Transmission
Of course, adding that UDH allows Revel to sell the new Ranger with a full SRAM Eagle Transmission (I keep wanting to tack on ‘drivetrain’ to the end of that phrase). Besides the group Tyler got in for the launch, this is our first review bike with Transmission. Out of the box, there was almost no setup other than adjusting the shifter position to my liking and charging the battery. It’s so ingrained in my mechanic brain to double-check the limit screws on any new bike before it goes out the door that it’s very weird to skip that step… since there are no limit screws!
Actual Weight
Our test bike is a medium frame with a full SRAM Eagle X0 Transmission, Revel RW30 wheels with Maxxis 2.4″ WT tires, a Fox Float DPS shock and 34 Step-Cast fork, RaceFace 35mm cockpit with a carbon bar, the new SRAM Stealth brakes, and a Crankbrothers Highline dropper post. All in, it weighs 27.51 lbs with 2oz of sealant in each tire.
Revel Ranger Pricing & Availability
In terms of colors, the new Ranger gets an update there as well. The popular “Tang” color from the Rail 27.5 makes an appearance here, and the updated “De La Coal” shown here gets new copper/gold decals (both with a gloss/matte two-tone finish). If you love that sharp “Johnny Green Jeans” color of the Ranger v1, there may still be a few left in your size. The Ranger v1 is also the only way to get a mechanical drivetrain for now – the Ranger v2 is available now, but only with SRAM Transmission.
Pricing will start at $8,499 for the X0 build and pushes up to $11,499 for the XX Eagle Transmission build. The frame only will also be an option at $3,599. We’ll have a full review of the new Ranger coming up!
