{"id":49473,"date":"2023-05-17T17:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T15:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=730533"},"modified":"2023-05-17T17:35:43","modified_gmt":"2023-05-17T15:35:43","slug":"deviates-highlander-ii-gets-145mm-of-travel-and-an-updated-frame-design","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/deviates-highlander-ii-gets-145mm-of-travel-and-an-updated-frame-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Deviate\u2019s Highlander II gets 145mm of travel and an updated frame design"},"content":{"rendered":"

All-mountain trail bike replaces Highlander 140 and 150 <\/p>

By Nick Clark\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 17 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Deviate Cycles has released the new Highlander II, replacing the Highlander 140 and Highlander 150.<\/p>\n

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

The Highlander II frame starts at \u00a33,120\/$3,600\/\u20ac3,600 and will be available in four sizes, with a small size featuring for the first time in the Deviate range.<\/p>\n

The frame is now available to order from Deviate Cycles, with stock ready for shipping.<\/p>\n

High-pivot progression<\/h2>\n
\""Deviate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new frame is available in Atlantic Blue or Islay Sand.<\/span><\/figcaption> Deviate Cycles<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Highlander II has a full carbon fibre frame that Deviate says is more evolution than revolution from the bikes it replaces.<\/p>\n

The bike still features Deviate\u2019s high-pivot suspension platform, which the brand says remains largely unchanged, with only minor adjustments to the progressive leverage curve.<\/p>\n

Deviate has split the difference on the 140 and 150 Highlander<\/a> models, giving this new version 145mm of rear suspension<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The bike is designed around a 160mm front fork, though Deviate hasn\u2019t stated if this is the maximum travel the frame accepts.<\/p>\n

\""Deviate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Like the bike it replaces, the Highlander II is designed around a 160mm fork with a 44mm offset.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Vincent <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The bike uses a 126-link chain, which means it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Flush frame protection<\/h2>\n
\""Deviate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The refreshed frame takes design cues from the Claymore.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Vincent <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The shock mount on the frame now sits flush with the down tube. This is similar to the brand\u2019s Claymore enduro bike, giving the bike a cleaner, angular design with the bottom of the down tube now featuring a frame protector.<\/p>\n

\""Deviate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Highlander II uses a threaded bottom bracket.<\/span><\/figcaption> Deviate Cycles<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Unlike other frame protectors, which have rubberised textures, this one has a gloss finish and is bolted onto the frame<\/p>\n

\""Deviate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Packs can be mounted to the frame using the bolts in the cable gutter.<\/span><\/figcaption> Deviate Cycles<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The underside of the top tube features a \u2018cable gutter\u2019, 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.<\/p>\n

Deviate says this keeps maintenance simple, while making sure cables are still tucked away.<\/p>\n

The front triangle features one port, which enables a dropper post<\/a> to be routed internally.<\/p>\n

\""Deviate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Deviate uses an 18-tooth pulley wheel for its high-pivot bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Deviate Cycles<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Deviate has given the pivot and idler bearing a grease port, so you don\u2019t need to remove the bearing to grease them.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Scottish brand offers a specially tuned \u00d6hlins TTX22 air shock for the bike, which can be purchased through Deviate\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Subtle geometry changes<\/h2>\n
\""Deviate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Highlander II\u2019s geometry straddles the line between trial and enduro.<\/span><\/figcaption> Deviate Cycles<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Highlander II is the brand\u2019s first bike available in a size small, with medium previously being the smallest size.<\/p>\n

The previous Highlander model could be set up with either 140mm or 150mm of rear suspension by changing the rocker in the bike\u2019s linkage, which would allow for the larger shock and change the bike\u2019s geometry.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup>
S<\/th>M<\/th>L<\/th>XL<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Head angle <\/b> (degrees)<\/td>65<\/td>65<\/td>65<\/td>65<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop <\/b> (mm)<\/td>30<\/td>30<\/td>30<\/td>30<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase <\/b> (mm)<\/td>1,189<\/td>1,221<\/td>1,258<\/td>1,283<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat angle <\/b> (degrees)<\/td>77<\/td>77<\/td>77<\/td>77<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach <\/b> (mm)<\/td>430<\/td>460<\/td>490<\/td>510<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack <\/b> (mm)<\/td>610<\/td>615<\/td>630<\/td>640<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube length <\/b> (mm)<\/td>88<\/td>93<\/td>110<\/td>121<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay length <\/b> (mm)<\/td>441<\/td>441<\/td>441<\/td>441<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length <\/b> (mm)<\/td>380<\/td>410<\/td>430<\/td>450<\/td> <\/tr>
Max seat post insertion <\/b> (mm)<\/td>270<\/td>300<\/td>325<\/td>340<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover height <\/b> (mm)<\/td>665<\/td>675<\/td>685<\/td>695<\/td> <\/tr>
BB height <\/b> (mm)<\/td>335<\/td>335<\/td>335<\/td>335<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>