However, Ive come to the realisation that I really like riding round on a bike that doesnt suck the fun out of any upward incline. After a few weeks aboard the Revel Ranger, its proven to be as efficient, agile, and stable as it is stylish. I opted for a rear rack with the Old Man Mountain fit kit and the Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack. The gravel bike quiver killer. The Ranger, though, took it in its stride. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? Fat tires conquering a big world. They also added all new linkages, made the bike Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) compatible, and replaced the shock mounting hardware with fancy titanium bits. Learn the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Revel Bikes. The Ranger will make you question the rest of your quiver. WHAT IS THE LARGEST CHAINRING I CAN RUN ON THE RANGER? 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Lemmon, Cycling Solo the Silk Road on a Gravel Bike : 12,000km and 18 countries, Repurposed: Gravel Riding in British Columbia, Aimed at covering big miles in varied terrain, Efficient and uphill-oriented, yet composed on rough descents, Compared to true XC race bikes, the Ranger is slightly burlier, Rear triangle now 20% stiffer with a revised carbon layup, New rear triangle includes SRAM UDH derailleur hanger, Bigger bearings in key areas and a new chainstay protector, Updates focus on durability, ease-of-maintenance, and T-Type derailleur compatibility, Front triangle and geometry remain unchanged, 67.5 headtube angle, 75.3 effective seat tube angle, 436mm chainstays, 38mm bottom bracket drop, Positioned as an XC-ish all-rounder with 40mm long stem and 800mm wide bars, Two complete builds: Ranger X0 ($8,499) and Ranger XX ($11,499), Both builds feature RockShox SID Ultimate fork, SIDLuxe Ultimate shock, Maxxis Dissector front / Rekon rear tires, and SRAM Level 4-piston brakes, Designed for more aggressive and descending-oriented riders. Ranger Cross Country Mountain Bike | Revel Bikes We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. 190 x 45 - 22.2 x 8 Mounting Hardware Spec, SM (236mm), MD (252mm), LG (285mm), XL (305mm), BOLU 6801V-2RD,12mm x 21mm x 5mm 6pcs per bike BOLU 6901V-2RD,12mm x 24mm x 6mm 12pcs per bike, 36T Round / 34T Oval, 52mm Chainline See Shimano XT Fitment Disclaimer, 1x 15mm Chamferless Socket (Nut Style Pivot #4 Only). When I built the bike, I bolted on a load of lightweight components the Ranger is as happy pared down as it is bulked up. It doesnt have quite the confidence of a bigger trail bike, but its much more than a standard XC bike. As ever, back-to-back testing really helps you delve deep into a products performance. you will love it. el.innerHTML = "Loading"; Fully guided internal tubes make maintenance and replacing cables a dream. The bike seemed to encourage me to keep pedaling through obstacles and tricky sections where I might normally get hung up. That said, I love the tire choice Revel made here. CAN I BUY AN AFTERMARKET FOX REAR SHOCKS FOR THE RANGER? HOW SHOULD I ROUTE THE CABLES AND HOSES UNDER THE BOTTOM BRACKET? It comes with a 40mm stem across all sizes and a Race Face Next 800mm carbon bar. In summary, the Revel Ranger is a true short-travel 29er with a full carbon frame built around 115mm of rear travel and a 120mm fork. The Revel Ranger is available for pre-order now at Revel dealers and distributors, as well as directly from Revel. Itll sit in a stable of three regular rides. Thanks! Hangers, Chain Guides, Bolts, Bearings, Shocks, and More! Take me to the limit or lose me forever. Riding the Ranger really encourages you to push hard, sprinting climbs and heading out for long days both ideal for getting that base up, and you ready to race. 22 ounces is the sweet spot When using a side-loading water bottle cage, our frames fit a standard Revel 22-ounce water bottle. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Sat down, the suspension doesnt rob power, but does enable the rear wheel to move over jarring stretches of rock. The Performance-level fork gets the relatively basic GRIP damper its not as externally tuneable as the FIT4, but its sealed cartridge performs well. In my original review of the bike, I mentioned that I found getting the back end just right was tricky at times. I got a bigger travel frame and stripped the parts off and it sat the rest of the year. Its been quite a few years since the event, once a mainstay of the Scottish XC scene, has run, so plenty of riders had turned out. Its a much more comfortable ride but still extremely efficient. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Their 27mm internal width gives plenty of volume to the Schwalbe tyres Ive popped on for now a Nobby Nic at the front and the excellent Wicked Will at the back. The Hope XCR brakes are good, if not the punchiest, and other than the volume of the freehub, the Silt wheels are broad, comfortable and inflate easily. Both the lockouts on the shock and fork make the bike impressively rigid too. Solo, pairs and quads are possible, with all categories being hotly contested. However, a late-night call on a Thursday night from a friend who had an entry to the legendary 10 Under the Ben race could mean only one thing his buddy had pulled out at late notice, leaving Luke in the lurch with his Pairs category entry. As Ive specced the bike, Im hoping I wont need to upgrade much. Autumn was a busy time at BikeRadar, with a raft of bike launches (including the excellent Scott Genius and category-leading Orbea Oiz) and tons of testing filling my months. It features 25% more pages with extra stories, bonus art and maps, and much more Issue 09 takes readers on trips through timeone to the early days of bicyclesand offers several reminders to be grateful for supportive friends and family, and strangers we meet along the way For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives weve long been eager to share Just announced, the new Revel Ranger clears 29 x 2.6 tires, comes specced with additional mounts for bottle cages and accessories, and is designed to be lighter and faster than the brands other offerings. WHAT IS THE LARGEST WATER BOTTLE I CAN RUN ON THE RANGER? Pre-orders are secured with a $100 refundable deposit and bikes will be shipped in order of deposit placement. Find out whats changed and dig in to the full review here. A couple of months have passed since I first rode the Ranger, however with our Bike of the Year test only just coming to a close, Ive not piled on quite as many miles as I would like. I purchased the frame, built it up and rode it for ~450 miles in 2021. The CBF focuses the center of curvature in a very finite area on the chainline/top of the chainring, pointing the pedaling forces directly where you want them. The frame and shock have 450 miles on them. They approached this by aligning the pivot with the center of curvature instead of the instant center while also dialing in the anti-squat and anti-rise characteristics. This is a long-term review of my bike, which was custom built from a frame-only option, using parts I had in the garage and a few items I requested specifically. A pure 29er hardtail that can do it all. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. The hometown quiver killer- from Moab to Crested Butte, were ready. Up front, the Nobby Nic adds just a hint more grip and control with its slightly wider-spaced, deeper tread. With its updated frame, geometry, and build options, the Ranger V2 showcases a commitment to adapting and perfecting an already impressive bike. From a bikepacking perspective, the Revel Ranger certainly shows promise. The internal cable routing was spot on, with minimal jiggling needed to get all the outers and hoses from bar to rear triangle or dropper. Revel also introduced a new color and made some changes to the build kit. to well over 230 lbs. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Bigger Fun. Finally, the bike comes with the lovely new bikepacking-friendly SRAM Level brakes, though in an interesting turn of events, it appears we now need to be concerned of cable rub on the bar itself. While the Addix Speed compound isnt the stickiest, Im hoping the new tread pattern on the Nobby Nic will perform in the slop, and I know the Wicked Will does its job pretty well. SPRING SALE 20% OFF ALL IN-STOCK RASCALS, RANGER V1 AND ROVERS! I got a bigger travel frame and stripped the parts off and it sat the rest of the year. As such, when we get closer to summer, I foresee the Ranger getting a build thats further into trail-bike territory. A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. They didnt change any geometry numbers on this version, but they updated the rear triangle with an improved carbon layup that they claim achieves 20% more stiffness with no added weight. See what opportunities are available to join the squad! Built for those who love exploring the great outdoors, the 2023 Revel Ranger V2 combines efficiency, durability, and a touch of aggression to make it an exceptional choice for both casual and competitive riders. While the SIDLuxe shock has a compression lever, it just toggles from open to firm, with no intermediate adjustments. That being said, there is no wrong way; You can run the brake line and derailleur housing to cross under the bottom bracket or not. No suspension, no problem. Not only are the Dissector and Recon beefier than most tires typically specced on shorter-travel full-sus bikes, but theyre also a testament to what the bike is built to handle. For 2023, the Carbondale, Colorado-based company reworked the Revel Ranger with increased tire and chainring clearance and a one-tool linkage system for easier serviceability and longer bearing life. Introducing the New Revel Ranger - BIKEPACKING.com It has been my long-term test rig throughout 2022. *SAVE 50%* Get a year's subscription for just 42.99 - pay just 3.30 an issue! One thing I, and my riding buddies, noticed is how loud the Silt hubs are. Over the course of the last few months, Ive been hoarding bits and pieces to put on it. In January of '22 I sold it to a friend so he could build it up for bikepacking. Tom Marvin is a technical editor at BikeRadar.com and MBUK magazine. Simple, quiet cable routing! Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Stay tuned for an in-depth review in the near future. Outside of testing bikes, Tom competes in a wide range of mountain bike races, from multi-day enduros through to 24-hour races in the depths of the Scottish winter pushing bikes, components and his legs to their limits. We took the legendary CBF suspension platform somewhere its never been before; think XC light, XC efficiency, with the extra dose of that bottomless CBF feel. I have to admit how surprised I am at how effective thats been from one of the loudest hubs Ive used to one of the quietest. Time will tell. The steed you need. The key word here is pedal. DO YOU OFFER A LIGHT SHOCK TUNE FOR THE LIGHTER RIDERS? Revel Ranger - medium | Mountain Bike Reviews Forum He is also a regular presenter on BikeRadars YouTube channel and the BikeRadar podcast. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Introducing the Updated 2023 Revel Ranger V2: A Versatile XC-oriented I like riding a bike that causes me to work out whether (and how) Im going to assist the rear wheel in dodging the hole/rock/root thats threatening the structural integrity of my rear tyre. I ended up setting the suspension sag at 30%, and it was perfect; I used up all the stroke on larger hits but never bottomed out. He slowly built it up over the winter and finally finished it in late April. Smaller wheels. The brakes are set relatively shallow in angle, as per my preference, but with only lever reach adjustable Ive had to balance bite point and lever reach its not perfect, yet. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. With the bike still pretty new to me, its largely set up to manufacturer recommendations. Like other bikes, its more planted on descents and climbs with the added weight. I had a lovely time riding my gravel bike around Europe, bobbing about England, Scotland, Wales and Portugal, and then three weeks of mountain biking in the Alps. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Not finding what you are looking for on this page? Luke took on the first lap, so I had a little more time to consume pastry-based calories and coffee-flavoured caffeine. Whats clear, to me at least, is that the downcountry bike is a bike that should appeal to the broadest range of riders, so long as its done right. They dont have quite the punch of their more powerful Hope counterparts, but I like their lever feel its a little more direct than the Tech 4 X2, with less lever pull and slightly more firmness. It is over a pound lighter than the Rascal frame and tough enough to inspire confidence on the descents. We made this bike with one thing in mind- to enjoy the ups as much as the downs. The pawls still engage fine, and I think the extra grease probably kept some of Scotlands splashes at bay too. I sized down to ensure I wasnt losing any of those cross-country characteristics while also having a slightly smaller bike to maneuver. Find details and photos here, Announced this morning, the Revel Ranger is the latest addition to the relatively new Colorado-based bike brands lineup. With a conservative 67.5 head tube angle, 436mm chainstays, and a 1170mm wheelbase (on the medium), its clearly an XC or downcountry bike. Stop by your local retailer or contact us anytime with questions, but you may find the answers you're looking for right here. While being a very fun and efficient 115mm travel bike, you can also ride this thing like a hooligan and really push the limits of what a short travel bike is capable of. The shape is good for a bike with this much travel. Its thicker viscosity quietens things down a touch a welcome modification in my book. Well, sort of. Ill add that the Ranger is very stiff when locked outpaired with the RockShox SID Luxe and a medium frame. Our in-house builders prefer to cross the derailleur cable over the rear brake cable. Ive also popped on Hopes lightweight XCR brakes that I reviewed in 2021. The race was a good reminder, though, of how different long- and short-travel bikes feel. Revel's Ranger, a 115mm-travel bike that's claimed to be ready for anything from cross-country through to trail riding, is definitely a downcountry bike, to use an on-trend term. A titanium 27.5 dirt jumper with fantastic handling and cornering ability. Id been running Hopes lightweight XCR brakes for the year, and now theyre back in place for the last couple of months riding. So, at some point down the line, I think therell be 10mm more squish up front, in a burlier chassis. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. When not riding he can be found at the climbing wall, in his garden or cooking up culinary delights. Theyve invested in a great suspension design, for starters. It might sound funny, but when I pack up a full-suspension bike, I often find that it becomes even more capable with the extra weight. You can You will need to order the shock directly from Fox and ensure you purchase the correct tune for our bikes. The fork, wheels, brakes and drivetrain are all lighter-weight components. In summary, the Revel Ranger is a true short-travel 29er with a full carbon frame built around 115mm of rear travel and a 120mm fork. Im swapping between Shimano XTR Race and Crankbrothers Mallet pedals, because Im testing shoes at the moment and want to test each shoe with both pedal systems (as well as Nukeproof Horizon CL pedals, to see how they interact with a larger platform). The UKs Revel distributor, Cyclorise, sent me a frameset for the year, which Ive fitted out with a range of components that I reckon will suit the bike well. After 150 more miles on the driver, Im not only more amazed by its ability to shift under load, but Im surprised how well it worked in really crummy conditions. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. The Ranger is available as a frame only for $2,799, a GX kit for $4,999, an X01 kit that includes Revels RW30 Fusion Fiber wheels for $7,199, and a full AXS kit for $9,999. A lighter weight bike that packs a surprising punch. Read more Short travel, big tires. Its a 10-hour race, with the idea that you (and/or your team) complete as many laps in 10 hours as possible they even allow you to finish any lap started just before the 10 hours is up. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. JavaScript is disabled. However, Ive certainly had a couple of opportunities to open the throttle on it and get a good impression of how the years going to pan out. The Ranger can fit an additional small bottle above the shock on the inside of the front triangle on large and extra large frames! As a highly anticipated release, the V2 offers cyclists an exciting blend of performance and versatility for conquering a wide range of terrains. Here, the Ranger became a useful test mule. Theres nothing too surprising in the Rangers geometry numbers. Most importantly, it pedals very nicely in a wide variety of conditions. Ive gone to Silt for the wheels. The bike that takes you through snow, sand, and dirt to the places you once considered impossible. Simple, easy maintenance with no need for fancy tools. Its right at home at the start line of a marathon race, all day in the mountains or just rallying the local trails after work. With a hands-free cap, these bottles are the best option around. The tyres are inflated to 22psi on the front and 24psi at the rear, with 60ml of whatever sealant I could cobble together from the cupboard in my garage! However, I found myself on the front end of the saddle or standing up when I needed to tackle a steep uphill section of trail. Everything else should be more than capable of dealing with whatever 130mm forks can throw up. Bikes will begin shipping early July. Silt is an emerging brand, offering good-value wheels with their own (very loud!) Ranger Cross Country Mountain Bike | Revel Bikes Bikes Mountain Rail27 27.5", 170mm, 165mm, Thermoset Carbon Fiber Rail29 29", 160mm, 155mm, Thermoset Carbon Fiber Rascal 29", 140mm, 130mm, Thermoset Carbon Fiber Ranger 29", 120mm, 115mm, Thermoset Carbon Fiber Ranger V1 29", 120mm, 115mm, Thermoset Carbon Fiber El Jefe 29", 120mm, 00mm, Titanium We believe threaded BBs are key to any bike for all the practical reasons. More here. It almost felt like I was able to exit technical bits with as much momentum as I entered. The Rail29 is right at home on the top of any enduro track, around the bike park, or all day epics in the hills. Still, the highlight was the uninterrupted pedal feeling over chundery terrain. Fast, light, comfortable, and capable, the El Jefe accepts any challenge you throw at it. With more than twenty years of mountain biking experience, and nearly a decade of testing mountain and gravel bikes, Tom has ridden and tested thousands of bikes and products, from super-light XC race bikes through to the most powerful brakes on the market. BIKEPACKING.com - DISPATCH: Just announced, the new Revel - Facebook And when out bikepacking all day, that efficiency goes a long way, saving you fatigue and time. I felt quite comfortable on the Revel Ranger from my first ride. The Ranger kept me on top of the pedal stroke instead of working behind it, so to speak. I occasionally flipped the lockout on well-graded gravel roads or pavement. If youre looking for a quick bike that rides like a trail bike on the descents, is agile like an XC bike on the climbs, and can be comfortably pedaled all day over multiple days, the Ranger is a fantastic option. Weve been testing the revamped Ranger on trail rides and loaded up during a bikepacking trip in Moab. Shimanos XTR drivetrain represents, in my opinion, the best cable-actuated gears around. The Fox Step-Cast 34 is narrower than most forks, to help save weight. The Ranger V2 keeps the essence of its predecessor while incorporating a series of improvements that cater to the modern cyclists demands. Its no super-long slugger, so you have to wind back expectations on the steepest, roughest descents, but sling it into some woodland singletrack or rally it down a trail-centre descent and it comes back asking for more. Thanks in advance for spreading the word! Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. Two complete builds: Ranger X0 ($8,499) and Ranger XX ($11,499) Both builds feature RockShox SID Ultimate fork, SIDLuxe Ultimate shock, Maxxis Dissector front / Rekon rear tires, and SRAM Level 4-piston brakes Designed for more aggressive and descending-oriented riders Curiosities Find the components list below and some thoughts on the kit underneath. A bike that takes modern XC suspension to a whole new level. In terms of kit, theres not a huge amount to complain about. We almost exclusively recommend the Push micro-coil for the Ranger.