A Look at The New 2023 Esker Hayduke

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

This video was supported in part by Salsa Cycles. Learn more about the Anything Cradle here: www.salsacycles.com/gear/exp_series_anything_cradle_35mm?.com&

[@jonamcc]

there's something timeless about a steel hardtail. and those rogue panda frame bags look super clean, they are so good at getting the unified design down.

[@roguepandadesigns]

Thanks Jonathan! This was a fun one to try to figure out - we wanted a colorful print but one that didn't detract from the chili pepper red paint job. We rejected some more complicated designs before settling on the simple gradient fade.

[@outbackwack368]

I recognize the Pass Mountain Trail in the Usieries outside Phoenix... in my backyard! Nice! Thanks!

[@hardmtnbiker]

I have an Esker Hayduke that I purchased in 2019. Having owned many hardtail’s including Custom Ti and Reynolds 853 Niner Sir9 frames, I was truly amazed by how much this Hayduke felt so much better. The Geo was more progressive and that made me feel more confident but also the quad butted chro-mo steel was much better at absorbing shock than my last 2 steel Niners. Perhaps because Esker put a lot of effort into shaping and not overbuilding the chain stay and seat stays. Plus they made them wide enough for the 27.5 x3” wheels but it was a very noticeable difference. BTW, it was because of this Hayduke frame that I was compelled to buy a Japhy and build up another bike but as a SS. I know Esker now makes both the Hayduke and the Japhy in Ti and they added the Ti gravel frame the Lorax. But I would be interested to see if the Ti hardtail’s rode as nice as the quad butted chromoly steel frames. After all, it’s really about the feel of the trail and not just about the weight. Some notable things I love about Esker’s hardtail’s. Great Geo, the portage drop outs that allows you to use 142x12 and keep using your high end SS specific hubs. The tucked in rear brake mount that looks so much cleaner and also a bit more durable IMO. The tid bits from Wolf Tooth that come with frame only such as HS,spacers,top cap and seat post collar. The fit and finish is spot on and paint job looks awesome!

[@hardmtnbiker]

I have an older one when Esker first took over the model from Advocate and changed to 4130 Chromoly Quad butted. As we all know, Reynolds tubing gets a lot of hype, about it’s usually just used on the main triangle and isn’t always the high end butted tubing. So I was intrigued that Esker had sourced a quad butted 4130 Chromoly tube set and they had also used a versatile portage drop out that has a cleaner looking brake mount location between the stays. Well this steel frame rode better than my Niner Sir9 but that was also due to the much better geometry. This steel frame also inspired me to build up another SS with the steel Japhy when that was introduced. So now I’m considering the latest version of the Hayduke with all the refinements. The Ti version is also interesting but I would hate to not have that really nice feel of the steel. One recommendation that would be a nice bonus for the Ti frame would be to have a Ti portage dropout or something 3D printed with stainless steel, just a thought.

[@mollieaustin7803]

Thanks for another great video! I've been wondering what was updated on the new Hayduke, and it was so nice to see the bike in action. Sounds like a sweet steel hardtail rig, especially for long days in the saddle! Looks like you really put it through the paces on the Queens Ransom. Would love to see a video on that route!

[@JakeLuke308]

Excellent review! The Hayduke is a great bike, a friend has one of the originals and I must admit, I covet. Now that the platform is 29'er it's even better, in my opinion. Rear rack mounts are a fine idea. More options are better than fewer, right?

[@larrywhite8590]

Nice. Very similar in configuration to the Unit I just built. Flatbars with a suspension fork make a lot of sense to me.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Nice! I want to know how the new Rogue Panda seatbag did! I think I was the first preorder when that opened, so excited for mine! Also hope to see some more content from the queens ransom adventure!

[@RobParker8]

Great review! Are you going to make a video of the Queens Ransom and show Wilson how real mountain bikers can ride the route and make a decent video of it?

[@sneezy1984]

I love my 2021 Hayduke! It is indeed my dedicated bikepacking rig. Rear rack mounts are a great update! I had to invest in an Old Man Mountain axle-mounted rack and it's been a great solution, but an expensive one. Having mounts on the bike would have saved me a few hundred bucks.

[@Ratchdaddy]

I have a 2017 that I am now using for commuting. I think I'll have to go with the OMM axle mount also.

[@edmakowski4089]

I enjoy the Hayduke overall. Got a Medium and am 5'10" - it suggested that size for 5'11" and find it's a bit too small for me. Which is unfortunate but I guess that's what happens when you order online.

[@joshhicks8874]

that thumbnail photo is fiiiirrrrrreee!

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Andrew is one talented photographer.

[@tomb.6618]

Just ordered one yesterday!

[@hammertime7740]

Jealous

[@rlane4osu199]

What color did you go with? One of the harder decisions I’ve had to make this year 😂

[@tomb.6618]

@@rlane4osu199 I wanted the chili color, but it was only available on backorder. Went w/ the blue as it was in stock and still looks pretty nice!

[@rlane4osu199]

@@tomb.6618 nice! Dang if I was a size bigger they’d have a “darkness” ready to go for me. Either way I think they’re expecting a batch in early March so that’s no too bad.

[@Potz4pizza]

I think I'll stick to my 2020 Hayduke with 27.5 fast rolling MEATS - sounds like Andrew would have preferred them as well 😎 I think all the changes they made will make for a better bike though. The 50 mm bb can feel a little tall in the gnar, and the stack has always been too low.

[@BBurton1231]

My wife just bought a Chumba Sendero. I was trying to get her to look at the Hayduke in adddition to a few others.

[@BBurton1231]

Also, the Reavis Canyon segment of AZT is not for the faint of heart. My favorite segment of AZT.

[@redneck305xD]

So I’m building a diy e bike and I’m in search of a bike frame at the moment that can accommodate the battery that I’ve chosen. Could you please measure the inside of the main triangle. I would greatly appreciate that information.

[@Mountainbiker34]

Will this accept the UDH hanger? Thanks!

[@ilyalope]

i have the older Hayduke. And overall, I think it's a great choice for bikepacking. I love the large frame triangle. And the geometry, for the most part, is on point. That being said I would make some changes: 1)The one thing I do not like about it is the 27.5 wheelset - when the terrain is rocky and rooty, they just feel too small. I like 29 x 2.6 much better. So I guess the new one solved that issue. 2) I wish it had better clearance for big volume tires. a 2.8 inch tire on a 27.5 rim leaves hardly any clearance for mud in the forward position. a 3 inch tire on a 40 mm rim doesn't fit at all. If they made the frame with a chainstay yoke, it would solve the problem. 3)No reason to stock a hardtail with a 35 mm handlebar. Most components are made for 31.8. 3) Fox factory fork is great. But the fox factory dropper only seems to work when it's warmer out. Once it goes below freezing, it gets finicky.

[@matthewrdgo]

If you look at the geo they are basically the same bike. I have the previous hayduke and run 29x2.4 in rear, 29x2.6 up front. You could probably even fit a 2.6 in the rear. If you have the older, older hayduke then maybe i'm wrong.

[@CranknGrindmtb]

Regarding your comment about a 2.8 being a tight fit: both my partner and I have Gen2 Hayduke frames and fit can 2.8 tires comfortably. How do you have your adjustable dropouts positioned?

[@ilyalope]

@@CranknGrindmtb all the way forward. the stock 2.8 tire on a 30 mm rim fit fine. but they're not a true 2.8, more like a 2.6. And they're not very knobby. If I were to mount a knobby 2.8 tire on a 40 mm rim, I'd have to move the dropouts back. Just saying, for a frame that's designed around a plus 27.5 tire, the clearance is a bit lacking.

[@ilyalope]

@@matthewrdgo I have 29x2.6 tires on my full suspension bike. I'll try mounting them on the hayduke and see how they fit.

[@ilyalope]

@@matthewrdgo do you find the bottom bracket to be too high in this configuration?

[@dallinbaker4878]

Question! @5:24 Andrew is shoving a pretty nifty looking water bladder into his frame pack. What bladder/water solution is that? Thanks!

[@anthonyyusup1100]

It looks like it’s a MSR dromedary bag

[@11notintheface]

I am truly torn between this bike, the Japhy, and a Salsa Timberjack for my next bike. I currently ride an older Surly Krampus with a rigid carbon fork and don't really know much about geo and how it affects your ride.

[@AlexSmith-ln1tv]

I am also on the fence. Did you choose one yet?

[@11notintheface]

@@AlexSmith-ln1tv I think I have settled on the Hayduke, due to wanting a little more comfort on long rides. I haven't scraped up the funds to buy yet so the jury is still out on whether that was a good choice lol.

[@kennyness8881]

I think a Kona UnitX is less than 1/2 the price for what amounts to the same bike.

[@rlane4osu199]

The unit is a fine bike with similar geo but the build kits are substantially different. The frame itself might cost twice as much but the whole build might be $500 apart.

[@kennyness8881]

@@rlane4osu199 Apples to apples: You just said “The frame itself might cost twice as much….” And that seems a lot like “1/2 the price for what amounts to the same bike.”

[@rlane4osu199]

@@kennyness8881 you said less than 1/2 the price for the same bike not the frame. A $3000 to $4000 Hayduke does not amount the same as a $1600 Unit X. Again, both fine bikes but not on the same level build-wise.

[@ilyalope]

Kona Unit X is a better value. I agree. Hayduke comes with parts that are more expensive, but not sure they're that much better. I've had some issues with some of them. The biggest difference is the Unit X comes with a 470 mm fork, which is suspension corrected for a 110mm fork tops.

[@kennyness8881]

@@ilyalope Well said! More expensive is not necessarily better. Especially on a bikepacker.

[@justpedal65]

I'm extremely puzzled why the bike industry (boutique brands, too) don't make rack mounts standard on hardtails... regardless of the geometry specifics (meaning - trail, xc, adventure, blah blah blah). It's the bike you have... right? Then, put some threaded inserts on board. It's not rocket science. $800 hybrids have em, for Christ's sake! As Gaffigan would say... "It's so simpull".

[@hoser7706]

$4k for 4130 seems steep to me. Nice config though

[@Incorruptus1]

Fine steel bike. Nothing bad about steel.