Riff v.2.0 (27.5″ Trail Hardtail)

The version 2 of the Riff offers practical updates to features and geometry without going all-in with "progressive geometry" that almost every brand has adopted. Our reason is that we wanted to keep this frame a hardtail that's great for bike packing and has a familiar-feeling on long days in the saddle on rolling terrain. "Progressive geometry," which can be awesome for steep technical trails, can feel less fun or even uncomfortable on flatter terrain.

We did opt for more reach, a slightly steeper seat angle for more efficient climbing and shorter seat tubes to benefit dropper post use. We also got rid of seat tube bottle bosses on some sizes to allow longer dropper posts to be used.

Rear hub spacing is finally BOOST 148.

Still a highlight on the Riff are the tough Broski Sliding Dropouts which allows to tune your chainstay length as well as allow you to run the bike single-speed, with derailleur gears or hub gears.

– Tange Prestige heat-treated butted CrMo steel

– Geometry is optimized for 120mm forks. Will work well with a 100mm fork, too.

– IRD Broski Sliding Dropouts allows geared and single-speed builds with easy wheel removal

– S-bend seatstays and chainstays

– Rear rack and fender eyelets

– ED coating inside frame and underpaint increase rust resistance

– Disc brakes only (ISO tabs)

– Dropper post cable routing runs on downtube and inside the seat tube

– Boost 148mm rear hub spacing

– 3 pack mount and water bottle mounts on down tube (LG size has a set of water bottle mounts on the seat tube as well. Seat tube bosses are left off the other sizes to better fit dropper posts)

– CNC-machined 44mm headtube: Will fit 1-1/8″ steerers with a ZeroStack 44 headset or fit tapered steerers with a ZS44 upper assembly and external cup (EC44) lower assembly

– 31.6mm post size/34.9mm frt. der. size/34.9mm seat collar(not included), 400mm(or longer) rigid post recommended.

– Recommended tire size: 27.5 x 1.95″ – 2.8”

– Color: Aqua Mint or Pearl White

– XS - Wt: 5.7 lbs.

– Sizes: XS(38cm), SM(41cm), MD(44cm), LG(47cm)

purchase!

Riff v.2.0 (27.5″ Trail Hardtail)

  • A few words about sliding dropouts

    We recommend positioning the sliding insert in the middle or front half of the slot. Sliding it all way back puts extra stress on the frame.

    When setting up make sure sliders are evenly aligned. Wheel will be crooked if dropouts are not aligned. Loose bolts here can be hazardous to riding.

    Make sure the bolts holding the sliders are safely tightened at all times. Those bolts should be tightened to about 25nM.

    Inspect inserts and wheel periodically for correct alignment. Try carbon paste on the slider contact areas, if you are experiencing slipping even though the bolts are adequately torqued.

    Don't forget to tighten the nut against the dropout after setting the limit screw.

  • Can I use fork with more travel than 120mm on the Riff?

    We do not recommend a fork with more travel. A longer fork slacken the head angle and will put more stress on the frame than we engineered it for.

  • Can I run a wheel size other than 27.5" on the Riff?

    We don't officially recommend it, because the resulting ride may not be a good as using what was intended, even if you maintain similar bottom bracket height as with 27.5" MTB tires. If you do try, we recommend a tire no smaller than 26" x 2.6" and no larger than 29" x 2.0".

  • Component specifications:

    Bottom bracket shell: 73mm wide with English threading

    Headset type: Will take forks with 1-1/8" steerers using a ZeroStack 44 headset or forks with 1-1/8 - 1-1/2" tapered steerers using a ZS44 upper assembly and external cup (EC44) lower assembly

    Brakes: ISO mounts, 160mm, will fit 180mm rotor with proper Post Mount adapter

    Seatpost size: 31.6mm OD x 400+mm length
    Includes internal routing port at seat tube for dropper seatposts
    Max. dropper seatpost depth: XS: 195mm SM: 225mm MD: 255 LG: 270mm

    Seat collar size: 34.9mm (collar not included)

    Front derailleur type: Low clamp, top-pull (for folks with older front derailleurs); clamp diameter: 34.9mm

    Hub fit: 12 x 148mm thru-axle hubs. (Not backwards compatible by swapping inserts)

    Max Tire Fit: 27.5 x 2.8" (certain front derailleurs may reduce max. fit)

    Chainstay adjustment range: 427 - 445mm (ideal to keep dropout in the center or front of the slot)

    Max. weight including rider and cargo: 270 lbs.

  • What are the advantages of the 27.5" wheel size for mountain biking?

    The 27.5" (aka 650b) is the most recently developed wheel size for mountain bike use. 26" became the primary size in the early days of mountain biking and 29" was developed around 2000. And the 27.5" option gained popularity 2013. The 26" tire size makes for a fast accelerating strong wheel for MTB. However its smaller size it is doesn't roll over rocks and through rough terrain as easily as a larger diameter wheel. It also doesn't maintain rolling momentum as long as a larger tire.

    The 29" wheel especially with development of tires over 2.3" has changed the way people ride because of how it tackles technical descents and even rocky climbing more confidently than 26" wheels. Riders appreciate it how it rolls over rocks and depressions more easily. Deservedly most mountain bikes generally come with 29" wheel these days. The 27.5" was designed to be the "happy medium" between 26" and 29".
    1) Those who feel 29ers were a little to unwieldy and slow to accelerate.
    2) Those who liked the 29ers rolling advantage, but didn't want to give up the steering quickness of a 26" bike.
    3) Those who want big wheel benefits, but find most 29er frames are a little too big for them.
    4) Those who find 29er wheels a little heavy. 650b will be noticeably lighter.
    5) With development of 27.5 x 2.6 and 2.8 (mid-fat tires) rolling advantage and traction rivals some 29" wheel options.