If you’re a fan of 29+, titanium, and bikes that might take you deep into the back country for a self supported adventure, you’re in luck. Sea Otter played host to not just one, but two new bikes that would fit that description. First up is Why Cycles’ newest rig, the Wayward. In a natural progression, Why Cycles is adding to their current 27.5+ bike with, you guessed it, a 29+. But where the S7 is a little more about riding fast and shredding trail, the Wayward moves a bit more into the adventure or overland category as co-founder Adam Miller called it.
That doesn’t mean the Wayward can’t get rad, but it does have a few tweaks to make it more adventure oriented…
Compared to other similar bikes, Miller says the wayward uses a larger bottom bracket drop than others, which combined with a 68.3° head tube angle, should make it stable enough for bike packing, but still fun to rip around on single track. Designed around 29 x 2.8″ tires, the frame has a split seat stay to allow for belt drive use, plus adjustable vertical dropouts for tire clearance adjustment, single speed, or belt drives. The titanium frame offers a threaded bottom bracket, internal cable routing, plus all the bottle, rack, and fender mounts you may need for getting out there – or at least more than a standard bike. Sea Otter was the preview for the frame which will sell for $2250, with preorders available soon. Expect delivery mid summer.
The Wayward also served as a great launch platform for Terrene’s newest tire – the McFly. According to Terrene’s founder Tim Krueger, the McFly is a light, fast rolling tire with lower knob heights than their Chunk. However, it’s still available in Light and Tough casings which are both tubeless ready. Available in 27.5 x 2.8″ or 29 x 2.8″, McFlys will sell for $80 and will weigh less than Chunks, though the actual weight wasn’t yet available.
Not to be left out, Voodoo Cycles was also on hand to show off their new Cymbie. With high end product design back in the hands of the legendary Joe Murray and talented folks like Daryl Roberts, Voodoo is slowly ramping up for their re-release in the U.S. The Cymbie marks their first stab at a 29+, and by appearances only, it looks like it could be a lot of fun. The titanium frames will include a brushed finish with a decal overlay, and should initially be available in S, M, and L (15, 17, and 19″). Details are still being finalized, but the frame was shown with 29 x 3.0″ tire with a 1x drivetrain and is meant for a fork with a 542mm axle to crown length. Other details include a 69° head tube angle, estimated 439mm chainstay length, and external cable routing with the exception of internal dropper routing through the seat tube. More details on this when we get it.
