[tedsti]

Got my new Esker Hayduke built up. Many parts came off my El Mariachi. Just waiting on things to dry out around here so I can get some dirt on it. I did add some nice Wolftooth shiny bits.

 

[jestep]

Such a clean looking ride, I like the lime green version better though . What's the weight come out to? Guessing about 20 even with those nice chunky tires.

 

[edved37]

Great looking bike, interested to hear more on the new frames.

 

[scoon]

Got my new Esker Hayduke built up. Many parts came off my El Mariachi. Just waiting on things to dry out around here so I can get some dirt on it. I did add some nice Wolftooth shiny bits.

View attachment 1247450

View attachment 1247451

This is definitely a great looking build. Congrats! This frame is on my short list of next frames. Would you mind giving a review of it when you get some miles on it?

 

[tedsti]

I'll be back with more details once I get some dirt miles on it.

 

[scoon]

I'll be back with more details once I get some dirt miles on it.

Awesome thank you! We will be able to compare notes, I just ordered one yesterday.

 

[mongol777]

Subscribed - looking for my next frame and Hayduke is on the list. Also considering RSD MC.

@OP - can you ballpark what is the widest 29er tire would fit? 29.3 stated on the site seems pretty conservative

 

[tedsti]

Slammed forward, there is about 5mm clearance on a 29x2.35 Racing Ralph on a 31.8mm internal rim. Moved back it is more like 12mm. The chainstays widen pretty quickly so they can clear the 27+ tires.

Forward

Back

The ride is great on the new frame. My old El Mariachi was way too stiff. I talked with Tim Krueger about it and he said that the EU increased their testing specs (2012 maybe??) and all the steel frames went from ~5.5 lbs to ~7 lbs to meet the new requirement. This was why my El Mariachi rode so stiff. He said he is not selling the Esker Hayduke into the EU so he can have it back at 5.5 lbs and riding like a steel frame should.

 

[geraldooka]

Slammed forward, there is about 5mm clearance on a 29x2.35 Racing Ralph on a 31.8mm internal rim. Moved back it is more like 12mm. The chainstays widen pretty quickly so they can clear the 27+ tires.

Forward
View attachment 1249999

Back
View attachment 1250000

The ride is great on the new frame. My old El Mariachi was way too stiff. I talked with Tim Krueger about it and he said that the EU increased their testing specs (2012 maybe??) and all the steel frames went from ~5.5 lbs to ~7 lbs to meet the new requirement. This was why my El Mariachi rode so stiff. He said he is not selling the Esker Hayduke into the EU so he can have it back at 5.5 lbs and riding like a steel frame should.

Well. I've been waiting for a Timberjack for a long time and it looks like I'll be waiting until the fall. This has suddenly jumped onto the list, weights aren't too bad and the geo seems great very rigid fork friendly. Any chance you could test larger tire clearance out say a 2.6 or 3 on those rims?

Thanks.

 

[tedsti]

Well. I've been waiting for a Timberjack for a long time and it looks like I'll be waiting until the fall. This has suddenly jumped onto the list, weights aren't too bad and the geo seems great very rigid fork friendly. Any chance you could test larger tire clearance out say a 2.6 or 3 on those rims?

Thanks.

Sorry, I don't have any bigger tires to try out.

 

[aan]

Esker hosted a demo day near me recently and I rode both the Elkat and the Hayduke.

I LOVED the Hayduke. I had not ridden a hardtail in years and this thing was just fun plain to ride.

For those that have ridden one more than me, how does it handle in more techy terrain? I think I remember seeing they slackened the HT angle a bit from the old Hayduke. My demo version had 2.8 McFly tires on it and it felt awesome.

 

[scoon]

I got a sublime hayduke 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to build it up because they sent the incorrect drop outs. I have messaged them a few times and have gotten no response. I hope they are ok but this wait is killing me!

 

[tedsti]

After getting a few good dirt rides in, I can definitely tell that the Hayduke is less harsh than the El Mariachi. It is good to be back on a steel frame that rides like a steel frame should.

 

[scoon]

After getting a few good dirt rides in, I can definitely tell that the Hayduke is less harsh than the El Mariachi. It is good to be back on a steel frame that rides like a steel frame should.

That is great to hear!!! Rumor has it my drop outs will be here tomorrow.

 

[Frs1661]

Cool bike OP 👍

 

[tfinator]

Cool bike! Keep us updated on how you like it!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[scoon]

Wrapped that up this evening. For the most part, everything went together nicely. Only issue I need to resolve is with the rear brake. The 180mm rotor and adapter don't work on this frame. When together, the pads barely make contact on 1/4 of the rotor. Anyone else have that same issue?

 

[Frs1661]

Sounds weird- pics?

 

[scoon]

Sounds weird- pics?

I got it sorted. I also have a 203mm rotor that worked by using thin cps washers I had from another adapter. I put them between the caliper and the adapter. In order to run 180, I need to get a 160 adapter. The cps come with shimano adapters.

 

[mack_turtle]