Deviate’s Highlander II gets 145mm of travel and an updated frame design

All-mountain trail bike replaces Highlander 140 and 150

By Nick Clark

Published: Wednesday, 17 May 2023 at 12:00 am

Deviate Cycles has released the new Highlander II, replacing the Highlander 140 and Highlander 150.

The new trail bike uses a progressive high-pivot suspension linkage allowing the use of coil or air shocks. Deviate has settled on 145mm of rear-suspension travel, sitting in between the models it replaces.

The Highlander II frame starts at £3,120/$3,600/€3,600 and will be available in four sizes, with a small size featuring for the first time in the Deviate range.

The frame is now available to order from Deviate Cycles, with stock ready for shipping.

High-pivot progression

"Deviate
The new frame is available in Atlantic Blue or Islay Sand.
Deviate Cycles

The Highlander II has a full carbon fibre frame that Deviate says is more evolution than revolution from the bikes it replaces.

The bike still features Deviate’s high-pivot suspension platform, which the brand says remains largely unchanged, with only minor adjustments to the progressive leverage curve.

Deviate has split the difference on the 140 and 150 Highlander models, giving this new version 145mm of rear suspension.

The bike is designed around a 160mm front fork, though Deviate hasn’t stated if this is the maximum travel the frame accepts.

"Deviate
Like the bike it replaces, the Highlander II is designed around a 160mm fork with a 44mm offset.
James Vincent

Deviate says the reward axle path of the high-pivot linkage gives the bike high levels of stability on rough trails, while the 18-tooth idler pulley controls anti-squat and pedal kickback.

The bike uses a 126-link chain, which means it’s compatible with standard-length chains. This removes the need to join two chains together, which is sometimes needed on high-pivot bikes due to routing the chain higher on the bike.

Flush frame protection

"Deviate
The refreshed frame takes design cues from the Claymore.
James Vincent

The shock mount on the frame now sits flush with the down tube. This is similar to the brand’s Claymore enduro bike, giving the bike a cleaner, angular design with the bottom of the down tube now featuring a frame protector.

"Deviate
The Highlander II uses a threaded bottom bracket.
Deviate Cycles

Unlike other frame protectors, which have rubberised textures, this one has a gloss finish and is bolted onto the frame

"Deviate
Packs can be mounted to the frame using the bolts in the cable gutter.
Deviate Cycles

The underside of the top tube features a ‘cable gutter’, which routes the gear and brake cables externally to the rear triangle, where they then route internally through the seatstays to the caliper and derailleur.

Deviate says this keeps maintenance simple, while making sure cables are still tucked away.

The front triangle features one port, which enables a dropper post to be routed internally.

"Deviate
Deviate uses an 18-tooth pulley wheel for its high-pivot bikes.
Deviate Cycles

Deviate has given the pivot and idler bearing a grease port, so you don’t need to remove the bearing to grease them.

The frame features room for a water bottle and has two accessory mounting points, enabling you to fit frame packs and multi-tool holders to the bike.

The Scottish brand offers a specially tuned Öhlins TTX22 air shock for the bike, which can be purchased through Deviate’s website.

Subtle geometry changes

"Deviate
The Highlander II’s geometry straddles the line between trial and enduro.
Deviate Cycles

The Highlander II is the brand’s first bike available in a size small, with medium previously being the smallest size.

The previous Highlander model could be set up with either 140mm or 150mm of rear suspension by changing the rocker in the bike’s linkage, which would allow for the larger shock and change the bike’s geometry.

SMLXL
Head angle (degrees)65656565
Bottom bracket drop (mm)30303030
Wheelbase (mm)1,1891,2211,2581,283
Seat angle (degrees)77777777
Reach (mm)430460490510
Stack (mm)610615630640
Head tube length (mm)8893110121
Chainstay length (mm)441441441441
Seat tube length (mm)380410430450
Max seat post insertion (mm)270300325340
Standover height (mm)665675685695
BB height (mm)335335335335

The new bike features a 65-degree head angle when paired with a 160mm fork, similar to that on the Highlander 150, and sees a reach measurement of 460mm for a medium-sized frame.

Chainstay lengths stay the same through all sizes at 441mm, while the long seat tube allows for 270mm of seatpost insertion, even on the size-small frame.