4 New Mountain Bikes and 2022 Gear 4

Welcome Vital MTBers, let’s check out some new 2022 mountain bikes and products that have been released coinciding with the opening of the Sea Otter Classic bike festival today.

Video Contents

Trek drops their “fast trail” Top Fuel for 2022. No longer a dedicated XC machine, the new Top Fuel features 120mm of travel front and rear with a 66-degree head angle, 76-degree seat angle and extended reaches across SEVEN different frame sizes from XS through XXL. Reach hits 450mm on a medium and 480mm on a large, and like we said, SEVEN frame sizes.

A 130-mil fork is possible up front, there’s a Mino Link flip chip geometry adjustment, KnockBlock 2.0, threaded bottom bracke, 34.9mm seat post diameter and internal frame storage on both carbon and aluminum models. RockShox or FOX suspension feature 3-position adjustability.

There are a pile of models 2022 Top Fuel models to choose from starting with the Top Fuel AL at $2,299 all the way up to the Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS at $10,999. Carbon frame only can be snagged for $3,699. Go triple baller and use Trek’s Project 1 custom paint program for a one-of-a-kind ripper.

- See Complete 2022 Trek Top Fuel Details

We keep things moving with three different hardtails to talk about, starting off with Alchemy’s new Titanium Argos. This hand-made-in-the-USA beauty uses Alchemy’s proprietary custom-blended titanium with an emphasis on quality ride feel and performance. Modern geometry like a 65-degree head angle, S-bend seat stays and mounts for bikepacking round out the hand-crafted hardtail. Available in 4 sizes from Small to XL, the Argos can be purchased with one of 5 different build kits as a frame only. Frame price is $4,499 with the GX build hitting $6,299.

- See Complete Alchemy Argos Details

Santa Cruz keeps their hardtail momentum alive with an updated Chamleon for 2022. The aluminum frame can run full 29er or mixed wheel size with the swap of the dropouts, compatible with gears or as a singlespeed. A low top tube and progressive geometry make it a versatile machine, ideal for a 130mm-travel fork. Four sizes, two colors, mounts for racks and gear and a lifetime warranty are highlights of this hardtail. Frame only is $949, D build is $2,399, R build is $2,949 and the S build at 28.64 pounds is $3,749.

- See Complete Santa Cruz Chameleon Details

Our last hardtail of the day is the updated Commencal Meta HT. Commencal says they have a semi-rigid frame which allows for a better pedal experience, plus less weight and reduced maintenance because of the lack of rear suspension. Available with 29-inch wheels or 29/27 combo, the Meta HT is designed around a 150mm-travel fork for big riding. Availability of the new bikes is spring to fall of 2022, and at the time of this video, the Ride model is listed on the Commencal USA site for pre-order at $1,899 and the Essential is $2,299. The 27.5/26-inch-wheeled Meta HT AM XS shows up at $2,099 while the budget Meta HT Origin and top-spec Race models did not have prices due to third quarter 2022 availability.

- See Complete Commencal Meta AM HT Details

Let’s move on to that rubber that keeps on the trail with updated offerings from WTB. WTB’s entire mountain bike tire line now receives SG2 puncture protection, replacing Slash Guard on some of their tires. SG2 is a lightweight, flat nylon layer that protects all areas of the tire to provide an additional level of defense against punctures and pinch flats. Bead-to-bead SG2 also improves sidewall stability and overall tire support without the additional weight of a dual-ply casing.

WTB’s Vigilante 2.5 and Verdict 2.5 treads are WTB’s most aggressive enduro tires excelling in loose conditions. Both treads now feature improved knob shapes and updated siping to prevent knob flex and increase cornering support while extending tread life. The tread profiles have been updated to achieve a smoother transition from center to side knobs and improve predictability while cornering.

- See Complete WTB Tire Update Details

If you need to get your bike to the trails, there is no shortage of bike rack solutions out there. A new, USA-made bike rack comes from Rubicon Expedition Products, dubbed the Corral. This elevated hitch rack is made for standard 2-inch receivers and can run 2, 4 or 5 bikes. Customizable in 7 color options and two finishes, the aluminum and steel rack has a main pivot with dual bearings (not just bushings) and a variety of ways to maneuver and adjust the system. Each bike basket can hold up to 60 pounds and total rack capacity is 300 pounds. Skinny tires and fat tires up to 3.5 inches will fit with wheel sizes from 24 to 29-inches. There’s even The Stable display stand that can be purchased separately for handy off-the-vehicle bike storage. Prices start at $999 US.

- See Complete Rubicon Corral Rack Details

We’ll wrap things up with a cool program that Stan’s has kicked off. Each time a customer registers a Stan's wheelset to receive warranty and crash replacement coverage, Stan’s donates $10 to that customer's choice of cycling-related cause, advocacy, or trail maintenance group. Even if you don’t have Stan’s products, you can hit up their website to suggest an organization to be included in their list of supported causes. Nice Stan’s!

Visit Stan's Connection

Stay tuned to Vital MTB for more mountain bikes and products coming soon.