The Moots Mountaineer is back as a 29er YBB softail, offering 1.25″ travel on a pilotless frame. They had a 27.5″ version in their line, along with a 29er hardtail, but after talking to customers and riding the bikes themselves over the years, they thought a combination of the two would be the perfect bike for ripping less technical trail.
The frame will clear up to a 29×2.6″ tire, adding more compliance and cushion to that short travel. Up front is a 44mm headtube, which allows them to run any type of steerer and fork, and the geometry is designed around 120mm fork travel. Bottom bracket is a standard threaded BB, and it gets a Boost 148 rear axle spacing, size specific tubing for all four frame sizes, and stealth dropper post routing. Check it and all of its customization options out over at Moots.com.
Franco Sycamore gravel bike debuts
Franco’s road bikes have seen minor updates over the years we’ve seen them at Sea Otter, but they’ve always had some really great paint schemes (here and here, and that’s no different than this year…keep reading). And a couple years ago they showed the Grimes steel gravel bike for rowdier adventures. This year, they split the difference with the Franco Sycamore to tackle their faster all-road conditions.
Tire clearance is rated at 700×38, so it’s designed more for the gravel racer than the explorer.
The Sycamore is their own carbon frame design made for them in Italy.
Internal cable routing and bento box mounts round out the design.
The bike is routed for front derailleurs, too, but was only shown as a 1x. Pricing is still TBA, but probably starting around 7,750, same as their other carbon bikes.
Speaking of those other bikes, the geometric blue pattern paint is a killer option, with the top side of the top but getting a solid black so you’re not distracted while riding. Check ’em out at FrancoBicycles.com.
