Mountain Bike Action Bike Test: Esker Cycles Elkat
THE FLOW
When the trails turn down, the Elkat turns it up. The well-controlled 150mm of travel paired with a 160mm fork and balanced geometry give the utmost confidence when trails get rough. From technical singletrack to flow trails, the Elkat is a composed bike ready to shred in the hands of any rider. It offers a predictable feel and a playful nature that spices up any ride.
![]()
MODS AND UPGRADES
The small accessories riders often look to upgrade are all standard equipment on the Elkat. From its Wolf Tooth accessories to its quality wheelset, the Elkat is ready to rip the trails right out of the box. With that said, we found the exposed rear brake hose made some rattling noises while riding more aggressive trails. We gave the zip-ties a good tug and added a few more zip-ties to the front cables to help manage them and reduce noise.
BOTTOM LINE
Esker may not be a known bike brand, but don’t let that lead you to believe this is anything but a top-quality bike. Any rider who prides himself on having a bike that stands out from the rest without sacrificing performance will find the Elkat the perfect tool for the job. It’s a fun and playful, long-travel, small-wheel bike that climbs with efficiency and descends with authority. The Elkat could be the perfect do-it-all bike for riders who enjoy all aspects of mountain biking.
eskercycles.com
Subscribe Here
Mountain Bike Action is a monthly magazine devoted to all things mountain biking (yes, that’s 12 times a year because we never take a month off of mountain biking). It has been around since 1986 and we’re still having fun.
