Revel updates the XC Ranger with a new SRAM UDH compatible rear end
Revel's cross-country mountain bike sees a back-end update to make it stiffer, more serviceable, and future proof
While it doesn't appear that Revel has made many updates to their 115mm cross-country Ranger frame, some notable updates have been made to the American brand's best full-suspension mountain bike.
All the updates revolve around the rear of the bike, Revel says the rear triangle has been made 20 percent stiffer without adding any extra weight. Other than reworking the chainstay and seatstay shapes, a significant contributing factor to the increase in stiffness is the collet axle design that uses larger 15mm bearings on the lower rearward pivot. These are the same bearings that are used on the burlier Rail29 and not only increase stiffness but also improve clearance and make for easier maintenance.
With the industry on the cusp of adopting hangerless derailleur mounting after SRAM's T-Type Transmission release, Revel has updated the Ranger to the compatible UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) to assure future compatibility with the new SRAM standard.
With cross-country riding becoming increasingly rowdier, Revel has also beefed up the frame protection with a rear triangle debris guard as standard along with robust chainstay protection, as found on Rail29.
The Ranger will come in two colors, "De La Coal" which features new copper/gold decals or Tang which is borrowed from the Revel Rail 27.5. Both designs also use a mixture of gloss and matt finish for extra detailing.
Geometry remains unchanged with a 67.5-degree head angle and 75.3-degree seat angle. The reach is cross-country standard of 453mm in a medium and the bottom bracket drop is 38mm which should give plenty of clearance on technical climbs. The Ranger comes in four sizes, from Small to Extra Large.
Revel Ranger specifications and pricing
Revel will sell the Ranger as a standalone frameset for $3,599 which includes a RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate and a Cane Creek 40-series headset. There will also be two complete builds available, a XO Eagle transmission build for $8,499 or the XX Eagle transmission which also adds Revel's own RW27 wheels and a RockShox Reverb AXS dropper for $11,499.
Revel Ranger XO Eagle Transmission
- Suspension: RockShox SID Ultimate (120mm) / RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate (115mm)
- Groupset: SRAM X0 T-Type
- Cranks: SRAM X0 Eagle T-Type, 32t
- Brakes: SRAM Level Silver, 180mm Front / 160mm
- Wheelset: Industry Nine Trail S Rims, Industry Nine 1/1 Hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Dissector 29 x 2.4 EXO Front Maxxis Rekon 29 x 2.4 EXO Rear
- Handlebar: RaceFace NEXT R 35
- Stem: RaceFace Turbine R
- Seatpost: Crank Brothers Highline 7 (S:125, M:150, L: 170mm, and XL:170)
- Saddle: WTB Volt CroMo Black
- Price: $8,499
Revel Ranger XX Eagle Transmission
- Suspension: RockShox SID Ultimate (120mm) / RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate (115mm)
- Groupset: SRAM XX T-Type
- Cranks: SRAM XX Eagle T-Type, 32t
- Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate, 180mm Front / 160mm
- Wheelset: Revel RW27 28H Rims, Industry Nine Hydra Hubs
- Tires: Maxxis Dissector 29 x 2.4 EXO Front Maxxis Rekon 29 x 2.4 EXO Rear
- Handlebar: RaceFace NEXT R 35
- Stem: RaceFace Turbine R
- Seatpost: Rockshox Reverb AXS (S:125, M:150, L: 170mm, and XL:170)
- Saddle: WTB Volt CroMo Black
- Price: $11,499
Graham Cottingham joined the BikePerfect team as our senior tech writer in 2020. With over 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for BikePerfect.
Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller
Height: 177cm
Weight: 71kg