The Wombat is a singlespeed mountain bike that falls into the category of the resurgent "Klunker." It embodies the concept of a bike you can ride 60 miles to a singletrack trail, jump line, skatepark, or street spot and start riding immediately upon arrival. It features a high bottom bracket and relatively short chainstays, making it agile and easy to get airborne. The geometry is slack enough to remain stable on long, technical hillside singletrack, yet not so extreme that the bike feels sluggish or makes navigating a tight switchback at the end of a straightaway impossible.
It is designed for 27.5 x 2.6-inch tires. While you might be able to fit a 2.8-inch tire, clearance in the rear triangle becomes quite tight. For those seeking an ultra-fast XC setup, the 2.2-inch UltraDynamico MARS is an excellent choice. If you want to run fenders, a combination like 2.4-inch tires and Honjo Flat 80 fenders will fit.
The Wombat is designed for V-brakes. Although cantilever brakes can also be installed, V-brakes offer superior stopping power—an advantage you’ll appreciate when riding the bike downhill as intended. V-brakes provide braking performance nearly on par with disc brakes; Performance drops off slightly only in icy or snowy conditions—when the rims get very cold and develop a thin layer of ice—but even then, they still function flawlessly.
The frame features a 73 mm wide bottom bracket shell, making it compatible with mountain bike cranksets. The "Bat" offers internal cable routing for dropper posts, designed for models with around 100 mm of travel or less. It also includes internal routing for hub dynamo cables—perfect for night riding.
The fork features three mounting points on each side for cargo mounts or "Anything Cages," allowing you to securely strap down gear. A small rack or bag support can also be mounted using the hole in the fork crown and the brake bosses. Combine this with a frame bag or saddlebag, and you’re all set for an extensive bike tour.
The maximum chainring size is 36 teeth. Depending on the setup, a 38-tooth chainring may also fit when using a square-taper crankset.
If you’re unsure about your gear ratio: a 32-tooth chainring paired with an 18-tooth freewheel cog is a solid starting point (a 2:1 ratio) that you can adjust to suit your needs.
If that feels too hard, switch to a 20-tooth cog. If it feels too easy and you find yourself spinning out, choose a 16-tooth cog or a chainring with 34 to 36 teeth. If you prefer gears, you can install a "Problem Solvers" derailleur hanger and use the cable routing intended for a dropper post to run the shift cable to the chainstay, securing it there with Newbaums handlebar tape. We recommend giving the singlespeed setup a try.
The frame features an ED coating, which protects it from the elements and prevents internal corrosion. However, that doesn't mean you can ride it into the ocean without a care.
Details:
- Handmade in Taiwan
- Material: Heat-treated chromoly steel
- TIG-welded
- Color: Metallic Tangerine
- Sizes: Small 17" | Medium 19" | Large 21" | Extra Large 23"
- Head tube diameter: 1 1/8" (for threadless steerer tubes)
- Bottom bracket: 73 mm BSA thread (English)
- Steerer tube length: 400 mm
- Fork spacing: 9 x 100 mm with quick-release dropouts
- Rear spacing: 135 mm with rear-facing horizontal dropouts
- Seatpost diameter: 27.2 mm with internal cable routing for dropper posts
- Seat clamp diameter: 29.8 mm
- Weight (Size Large 21"): Frame = 4 lbs 15 oz (approx. 2240 g) | Fork (uncut steerer) = 3 lbs (approx. 1360 g)
- Seatpost clamp included
- Headset not included
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