Staff Bike Check: J...
 

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Staff Bike Check: James' Deviate Highlander II

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Check out Mr Vincent's more-playing less-monstertrucking Deviate Highlander II.

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 9:02 am
 P20
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Bikes that just look right 👍🏻
Way more bike than I’d ever need, but I’m curious as to how it rides, looks fantastic

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 9:14 am
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Can build it up quite differently P20 - 160mm front and 145 rear should be firmly in the trail category for most, so not overbiked.

 

My Highlander I is 150/140 and I ride that everywhere, from my door etc.

Love the build and colour on this one

 

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 9:22 am
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About 15kg

lol 

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 9:36 am
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Very nice.

I like how they have implemented the external cable routing.

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 9:49 am
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Posted by: Rubber_Buccaneer

About 15kg

lol 

I know, it's unbelievable how light modern bikes are given how capable they are.

 

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 9:51 am
Posts: 1045
Topic starter
 

I weighed it after sending these words to Benji, and it tips the scales at 15.9kg so my guess wasn’t too far off. Front end definitely feels lighter without the zebs 

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 10:00 am
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lovely thing that. tasteful with the black/silver ano on the bike too

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 10:27 am
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Had a great weekend demoing the highlander 2 round dunked and Comrie and seriously tempted now to add one to the garage. A very capable bike that climbed a lot better than I expected. 

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 10:32 am
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I weighed it after sending these words to Benji, and it tips the scales at 15.9kg

I lol’d at the 15kg estimate because it just didn’t seem possible with a still fairly chunky fork, DH casing rear tyre, X2 shock etc.  At a genuine 15.9kg I am impressed by the weight. I’m in the weight isn’t everything but less is nicer if possible camp

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 10:41 am
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Posted by: chakaping

Very nice.

I like how they have implemented the external cable routing.

Sadly they haven’t. They catfish you with the front triangle gutter, which is a great idea, then it’s internal on the rear.

Bike industry, never ceasing to make moronic decisions 🤦‍♂️

That’s a chonky beast at 16kg with that much travel, weighs more than my RAAW! Is there any truth to the rumours that the triangles are the same with the Claymore? 

 

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 10:53 am
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@rubber_buccaneer - the weight is probably down to a silly light pair of wheels. I think the spec sheet has them at about 1600g for the pair, and even replacing all the rear spokes with regular double butted and brass nipples added 50g max. I keep on expecting them to die a horrible and frustrating death when I’m stuck in the arse end of nowhere, but for now they just keep on trucking

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 11:39 am
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Sadly they haven’t. They catfish you with the front triangle gutter, which is a great idea, then it’s internal on the rear.

Oh dear.

Sadly, having half internal routing is still almost the same amount of hassle as full internal, for me.

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 11:40 am
Posts: 1045
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@HobNob - the rear triangle cable routing is a minor inconvenience, but at least it doesn't go through the headset!

And yes, the rear triangle is the same as the Claymore. Front triangle and linkages are all different though. Pretty sure the Forbidden Druid and Dreadnought share some parts as well - it's not an uncommon practice

 
Posted : 07/10/2025 12:44 pm

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