It features a 135mm spacing so you can run a rear hub (think single-speed) hub in the front for extra-apocalypse proofing. All-City, Surly, and countless handbuilt brands deserve a lot of credit, too. Confused about all our talk of plus sizes and wheel diameters? Today's Readers' Rides features Casey from Campandgoslow's Crust Evasion with words by Casey and photos by Sarah Lillegard. For more information, please see our Wheel Size: 27.5 x 2.8 27.5 x 2.8 27.5 x 2.8 . Which plus tire size is best for you will likely boil down to two main factors. Takes a 30.0mm seat post clamp with a 27.2 seat post. As such, it can be purchased with both a rigid carbon fork (complete with triple boss cargo/water bottle eyelets) or with a 120mm suspension fork for more dedicated trail use. The Great Basin region of the western US stretches from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Wasatch range, and from the Columbia Plateau all the way down to the Mojave Desert. 2020 Crust Bikes Evasion Lite 26" wheels. Hi Evasion riders! The Fargo is the bike that started it all. FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH AN OLDER EVASION WITH QUICK RELEASE DROPOUTS AND WANT TO GO TO THRU AXLE: You will have to measure the thickness of your dropouts here. Or, slot in a 130mm fork with 30%, slackening it out a touch for big trail descents. . Cycleast leads group rides, overnighters, tours, and other fun festivities within the Austin community and this is the bike Corey takes along. Evasion 2018 Crust Bikes Evasion Base 2018 Base Category Off-road Touring Design Drop Bar, Rigid, non-suspension corrected Frame Steel Fork Steel Features Disc brake Small Step-Through size 6 sizes ( Small Step-Through to Extra Large) size Extra Large Somewhat aggressive stack and reach vs category Somewhat aggressive stack and reach vs category Ended up not taking it since shipping to Montreal would have been too high. A stripped-down, lighter-ish, yet just as capable Evasion, dubbed the Evasion Lite. On a bike tour in Nepal, Matt Whitehead got desperate. Once he found Whitehead on Instagram, Benedict Ultra Romance Wheeler was drawn to his unconventional fat-tired drop-handlebar bikes and his wild adventures, like strapping a surfboard to the side of his prototype Crust to combine surfing and bike touring. For those of you looking for a headset we finally got some King Headsets which can be found --> HERE<--If you snag one with the Lite and would like for us to throw it on for you, let us know in the Notes section of your order. I plan on building this into a pretty sweet "dad bike" / heavy duty cruiser that will also double as my winter bike the 5-months of the year we have snow on the ground. The rigid-specific Longitude is no exception. Perhaps he underestimated his own influence as well. The premium-priced, custom specced version and the newer, more affordable SWB Complete have the exact same geometry and are both made in Taiwan, though the latter uses non-heat-treated tubing and loses the eccentric bottom bracket, which is useful for in-the-field drivetrain repairs and adjusting BB height. Note though that theres no provision for racks, as by their own admission, they much prefer soft bags, and the bottom bracket is press fit rather than threaded. If I thought the Evasion was cool, there might be just enough people who thought the same.. Featuring a made-in-the-USA steel frame, sliding dropouts, and plenty of mounts, its a great option to consider when eying bikes such as the Krampus, ECR, and the Tumbleweed Prospector. Angelica Cheech Casaverde. Each bike is built to spec, from a choice of high end components. A large percentage of mixed terrain, backcountry routes are plus bike friendly, especially if youre running a fully rigid setup and/or youre new to off-road touring. For example, 26+ generally fits 27.5 x 2.4 and 27.5+ often has clearances for 29 x 2.4 tires. If you are waffling over other bikes, and enjoy trail riding as much as you do bikepacking, the Krampus is a must-ride. The best analogy is that its comparable to being a big kid on a grown up BMX bike, one that can plow over anything. As Crust puts it, the Nor'Easter is, "perfectly suited for going out for a couple of day jaunt with everything you will need for a whimsical time, but with the cushy tire clearances of an Evasion." . At one point, Crust sold a stem called the Limp Dick (now toned down to be simply the LD). Within the plus bike category, theres a broad range of rim and tire width options. For those plus-tires, the prospector has a custom eccentric Bottom Bracket allowing a half an inch of bottom bracket height adjustability (12mm), in turn making it equally as suitable for 29+ and 27.5+ tires. Theyre now selling a complete line of clothes alongside Crust bikes, called Casa Verde. Looking forward to seeing how you build yours up! Check out this report on it. All the bikes in our list can comfortably clear a 2.8- 3 tire, on rims between 30-50mm width, be it a 26, 27.5, or 29er in diameter. It also has front and rear rack mounts and fender bosses for even more versatility. His Evasion, built ultralight came in at 26lb, which he raced XC and gravel races, winning both multiple times. Crust bikes reflect the wanderlust spirit that brought about the first Evasion. Fielding a diverse team of interesting people is another key way that Crust opens the door to cycling. Frame Frame & Fork: Crust Evasion Lite ( XS ) Steering Grips: Worth noting too is that bikes with plus-size clearances often overlap with wide trail clearances in the next wheel size up. They're a better guide for fit while you're on the bike. The Crust Nor'Easter combines the tubeset of their Romancer with the generous tire clearance of the Evasion. Note that the spec is good for the price but a bit limited for bikepacking, given its 1x drivetrain with a modest 11-36T cassette, matted to a 32T crankset. Well be taking a deeper, more granular dive on such matters in a future article. The max tire size there is going to be 27.5x2.8". With good aesthetics, versatile designs, and a quirky vibe, Crust did not appeal to typical cyclists at first. I think that they are creating an entirely new sub-genre, you know, like a B-side version of a cyclist, said Bobby Wintle, Mid South race director and owner of District Bicycles, an award-winning bike shop in Stillwater. Built for long rides like the Tour divide, its a dirt-drop 29er at heart. Replacing the classic Jones mountain bike of old, the rigid specific SWB offers full 27.5+ clearances (with ample room for 29 x 2.6 too) and a slightly rejigged, longer rear end. Handmade in Taiwan using Heat Treated Chromoly, Sizes- Small & Step Thru 52cm | Medium 54cm | Extra-Medium 56cm | Large 58cm | Extra Large 60cm, Head Tube Diameter- 1 1/8" (Threadless Steerer), Bottom Bracket- 73mm English (BSA) Threaded, Front Axle Thread Pitch & Length- 1.5x125mm, Rear Axle Thread Pitch & Length- 1.5x164mm, Weight- Frame 58cm- 2.2kg or 4lbs 13oz | Fork- 490g or 1lb 1oz, Add your product to the cart and then checkout. Max Rotor Size: 180mm Front | 160mm Rear. Flat mount front and rear. But, the carbon fork comes with triple eyelets for cargo cages and you could also swap it out for an aftermarket rigid fork if you prefer the idea of travelling with steel over carbon. And, of course, it will depend on money you have in your back pocket, because theres a wide spectrum of prices to choose from (and dont forget to save some cash for the trip!). A large volume tire on a wide rim offers excellent traction and confidence, which makes up for its extra weight, especially when touring off road on a fully rigid setup. Be sure to scroll below the lineup of fully rigid plus bikes, for our breakdown of which wheel size will work best for your needs. So what do you think? Or is it not a huge difference. Its also less prone to fatigue and easy to repair, making it a perfect material for backcountry exploits. While we havent reviewed the Fargo directly, weve spent plenty of time on the 29+ Deadwood, which is essentially the same bike with a color and graphics change. Theres revamped angles too, including a super slack 66 degree HA and an increased fork offset (to 80mm), as well as an EBB that will lend it the capability to run the full gamut of wheel sizes, from 27.5+ to 29+, with 292.6 in between. Setting them up without inner tubes eliminates the risk of a pinch flat but watch out for rim strike. - we're really digging that Selle Anatomica saddle choice! Are you tall in stature, or on the shorter end? Nail-biting suspense ensued as they described the new model as being "longer and lower". Fill out your address and click "Continue to Shipping." I think that's been at least my experience, with the Evasion.. Mount and takes an adaptor to fit a caliper. The fork hadn't even been cut down to size yet. In our opinion, fully rigid, steel, plus bikes (apologies for the mouthful) have inherited the crown of the first ATBs (All Terrain Bikes), offering sure-footed traction and the latters adventurous spirit. I had shipping insurance, but didn't expect them to pay out. In addition, the bike is loaded with mounts. 366. Overall, the bike industry tends to be very risk-averse. The steel plate on the drive side has been axed, you guessed it, save weight. Casa Verde is exactly as cool, casual, and stylish as youd expect, based on Cheechs background and the overall Crust vibe. Each had a bespoke steel steed, meticulously assembled with the right parts. The Kona Unit X was completely revamped in 2020, and these changes hold true today. We should point out that the bike featured in our review isnt quite current; new frames no longer feature canti studs, making the bike disc-specific and more plus-size friendly, as its easier to install and remove wheels. He was right. - Wald 26" "Balloon" Fenders. Prices arent dirt cheap, but most framesets are under $1,500, approachable for a lot of cyclists. But, the stack on the Evasion is 18.8mm taller than the All-City. Not only are these bikes inherently simple, robust, and easy to maintain, but theyre very capable, confidence-inspiring, and comfortable off-road explorers. July 3, 2020. Focusing on products that support established racing formats, made for existing, committed cyclists it is the conservative choice. See more photos on The Radavist. And its probably wrong to call it a team, because it goes way beyond that. We will always stop for a photo, or to hit a jump. The accountants like it. There are two sizes to choose from and a number of colors. But, what makes it most interesting is its non-suspension corrected fork. Genesis even throw in a couple of Gorilla Cages to get you started. 2020. Find out!Help support independent reviews: https://www.patreon.com/PathLes. The original Crust. Rigid plus bikes arent the fastest or lightest bikes in the world, but theyre amongst the most fun and capable for the money (though youll often pay a premium for the tires themselves). The Evasion, often imitated, never duplicated. And why did it take the bike industry so long to return to this?. 26" wheels 27.5" wheels 29" wheels. The frame comes kitted out with two standard bottle mounts, triple pack mounts under the downtube and on the fork legs. Compare. To learn more, find two Rider and Rigs on this site featuring the Prospector, one with filmmaker Jay Ritchey set up 27.5+, and one with world traveller Pepper Cook. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Sometimes, he even had Cheech kiss them with lipstick. The Surly ECR was one of the first few 29+ bikes, and the first to repurpose 29+ specifically for bikepacking. They didnt plan to follow the bike industrys lead. Hanson Little is an ex-pro BMX shredder and the hands behind Dark Realm Cycling, a brand that operates alongside his partner Vanessas Shop Realm. Still, theres eyelets on the downtube and the fork, as well as rack eyelets, so its definitely a frameset that has bikepacking potential. Like the fat-tire, drop-bar thing, which is so commonplace now, wasn't then, said Wheeler. Yes, fully fledged fat bikes are even more capable machines when it comes to undiluted off-the-grid exploration. This is the team that Crust Bikes brought to one of the biggest gravel races in the country last month. Crust Bikes Evasion Lite 2020. It has clearance for 3 rubber on a 45mm rim in the rear and 3.25 on the front, a 27.2 post, 142 12 and 100 15 dropouts, and an included eccentric bottom bracket. Watch this space as well update our photo and bike description when we find out more. If youre in the UK, this one is hard to beat on price. . Ideal if you're looking for a bike with the geometry and tire clearances of the Evasion, but don't need all of the rack mounts and what not, for the heavy duty off-road touring it's designed to do. Its a trail bike at heart. The Satanic Rando. This combo raises the BB height around 5mm then is listed on the chart, putting it at 295mm. I have a hunch my replies to your emails are going to spam, so make sure to check the spam folder if you reach out! July 3, 2020, View Thumbnails 12 years in the making, the ScapeGoat features a low Q-Factor, go-anywhere design that fits about any tire. If your URL is correct, you'll see an image preview here. Theyre the updated essence of the original 80s mountain bikes, and like their forebears, are robust enough to still be around 20 years from now. Pedals: While not shown with drop-bars, the Velo Orange Piolet is designed for either drops or flat bars. For those, Hanson used Raceface Next SL G5 cranks and a Garbaruk 34t chainring. They built what they wanted, what their friends wanted. Please note more aggressive 2.8s would potentially not fit. An unplanned, three-week, 15,000km ride would have killed most people. A plumber by trade, Whitehead wasnt in the bike industry. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Mid South has always been a positive environment, but not like this. In late 2016, a full run of 100 Romanceurs came in. Hunt is based in Australia, but framesets can be shipped worldwide. Were featuring Hansons Crust Bikes Evasion Lite, a less-burly, lighter Evasion. Kris had just picked his build up from Sincere Cycles where Bailey spent time selecting the right components for his budget, while not skimping on functionality. The Speedball is a 29+ bike featuring a Klunkpacker bi-plane fork with triple cage mounts. NOT BOOST it will take a regular non-boost ring. Good trade off. Photo: Matt Whitehead, I don't think Matt and I and Cheech are anti-bike industry, it's just separate from that. Whitehead anticipated that Ultra Romances influence on Instagram and social media would help sell bikes. Because you're not going to get the same result that I'm giving you from a boardroom full of white people that are forcing it, she said. Crust began small, with a sample size run of 10 Evasion frames in 2015. Cheech, as an Indigenous Latina, is a big part of that. The original Crust. Again, be aware of the impact that a smaller diameter tire will have on your bottom bracket height; it will likely effect it by a few millimetres, which will increase the chance of pedal strikes. Not perfect for something in particular but definitely good at everything ! I built it up in late 2017 around an older (but well serviced) Rohloff hub to do some bikepacking and . Designed around a 26x3" wheel and tire combo and thats its max 26" size. Thats one key way it connects with new customers from different backgrounds. I remember building that thing up, taking it out for a ride and just sprinting it down the road, bursting into a trail like a little New England rooty trail, down some granite rock face, a little bit of singletrack, hopped over a log, and then back onto the road. Word has it 26" is dead (It Ain't. Does this look good? Click a link below to see past stages of this bike. Take away the carbon fork and GX drivetrain and you get the Beyond +1, which sports the same frame and geo, albeit with a different finish, a rigid steel fork, and a cheaper price tag. Or He pulled up his iPod touch (it was 2014) and started emailing factories in Taiwan. Rear rack mounts are not. Read our full release with specs here and stay tuned for a full review. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. A tight rear end and longish top tube means its meant for trails, yet is has a lot of traits that are suitable for multi-year explorations. The fork and frame use flat mount brakes, of which Hanson chose Yokozuna Motoko brakes. As Crusts influence continues to grow, it will have a profoundly positive influence on cycling, from fresh faces at events to its laid-back, vintage-inspired steel frames. They willingly and frequently say that they didnt care if Crust succeeded or if people bought the Bombora, Florida Man, or Evasion. Its great to see such a broad variety of fully rigid, steel plus bike on the market. Also note that the complete build, down to $1,450 from its original price of $1,750, now has a more limiting, single chainring gear range (32T x 11-42T), which could be restrictive for heavy duty off-road touring, without modifying it with a smaller front chainring or larger rear cassette. Crust makes bikes that represent real people with interesting, unconventional stories. Don't Fear Opulence.) Both come in yellow with blue and red fish-themed graphical icons and phrases such as Base Camp and Vital Support. Read the full release and specs here. Not bad! The name is Australian slang for making a living (Whitehead is Australian), as in What do you do for a crust, mate? Whitehead never expected to be doing Crust for a crust. Step-Through. And, theres plenty of space for 3.25 tires in the back. The Troll is rigid specific, the rear dropout is compatible with a Rohloff hub, and aside from a full complement of rack mounts, theres no less than four sets of triple-pack mounts on the fork, facing both forward and aft. But plus-size rigid bikes strike a more balanced sweet spot between versatility and capability, which will appeal to many, especially for trips that mix a number of different qualities of road surfaces. Designed around a 26x3" wheel and tire combo and thats its max 26" size. Crust Evasion. Integrated headset cups. The Rear brake is I.S. The Crust Evasion is designed around 26+ (up to 26 x 3) tires on 45mm rims, but its just as happy on a 650B tire (27.5) up to x 2.4 wide. In terms of braze-ons the Evasion has everything you'd need to go for a tour around the world and back. The stock build looks good, with a SRAM NX Eagle Boost drivetrain and a choice between a 29er wheelset or 27.5+, both tubeless ready. are all fair game here. The large volume allows you to run lower tire pressures than you might otherwise, adding even more grip and comfort to mixed terrain touring and trail riding. (Don't worry you won't be charged unless you complete the payment). We believe the outdoors should be respected. I'm not as concerned with the shorter reach on the Evasion b/c I went with a shorter stem on the All-City so, I think the difference is negligible. If you need a brake kit we've got Palm Oils for the Evasion Lite. The frame handles bikepacking loads quite well and it should also take a classic 4-pannier, loaded-to-the-gills setup without issue. Takes a MOUNTAIN crank. Yet he intuitively knew how to promote his fledgling brand, especially on Instagram, and Crust caught on pretty quickly. Based in the UK and manufactured in small batches in Taiwan, Stooge offers a growing range of rigid-specific, slack geo hardtails, with a mixture of unicrown, truss, and biplane forks. Max tire clearances: 700c/ 29er= 2.1" or 55c | 27.5= 2.8" | 26"= 3" Flat Mount Brake w/ 180mm Max Rotor Size. Beautiful Bicycles Privacy Policy. Your shipping will be displayed on the next page. The first plus tire bike, the first 29+ bike, and arguably the first bike that drew the term bikepacking bike. Why? Brodies Torque is designed to do a bit of everything be it city riding or trail riding, at a price that will appeal to many. Size Specific, leaves . Note that the image here is a Mk2. But that doesnt mean Surly have skimped out either, as there still provision for rack mounts and triple-boss cages. Surly introduced this supersized tire width in 2012 with the wagon wheel, 29+ Krampus. When it was released, the Crust Bikes Evasion was a true to form game changer for production bikes but even then, some games should be changed up a bit. In addition, note the bottom bracket spec. It can be setup 29", in which case your max tire size is going to be a 29x 2.0". \_()_/. From Crust: The Evasion, often imitated, never duplicated. Over in the UK, Genesis have built up an enviable reputation for putting together very capable bikes that dont break the bank. Photo:John Watson | The Radavist. In designing and creating the first Evasion, I thought maybe Id sell one round if I was lucky. The Nordest Sardinha features a Taiwanese-made, double-butted CRMO 4130 frame with clearance for 27.5 x 3.0 or 29 x 2.6 tires. It keeps things fun when so often the bike industry wants you to wear a game face. We're featuring Hanson's Crust Bikes Evasion Lite, a less-burly, lighter Evasion. All sizes are heat treated CR-MO Photo: John Watson | The Radavist. Moto-X tires are fast rolling and comfy, and the stock build includes fenders for city riding, as well as Shimano hydros for powerful braking. And, should you want to run front suspension, a 120mm fork with 25% sag keeps the geometry the same.