Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Esker just released the 2026 Lorax, which has been updated with a new steel fork, fresh build kits, and new color options, including a black ED-coated-only version. Learn all about the 2026 Esker Lorax and how they lowered the price of complete builds to $2,200 here…
The Lorax entered the Esker Cycles lineup in 2016 as a go-anywhere, 4130 Chromoly steel, drop-bar mountain bike. It’s the only dedicated drop-bar bike in Esker’s lineup, and we tested both the titanium and steel versions. Neil and Logan found the Lorax to be zippy and fun to ride, confident on the downhills, and comfortable for long, multi-day rides. Although the 2026 Esker Lorax hasn’t received any major updates, there are a handful of changes worth mentioning.
The new Esker Lorax frame hasn’t changed, but nearly everything else has. Esker’s new steel Fork Yeah! fork has three-pack mounts and rack mounts, and also helps keep the total cost of the Lorax down. The 2026 paint colors are Ranchera (red) and Lunar (off-white), but as another option to further reduce the price, Esker is offering the Lorax in an ED coating-only option, in a color they call “Darkness.” Every Esker is already ED-coated for corrosion protection, so this option just skips the cost of paint.
Esker has also added new build kit specs, including MicroShift Sword Black 1×10, as well as their own Esker-branded wheelset that uses parts from the same vendors that supply some of their current name-brand wheel offerings, but without the logo. Some other small changes have been made to keep the Lorax as affordable as possible. The base complete build costs $2,200 USD, but there are plenty of optional upgrades listed below.
2026 Esker Lorax Complete
- Fork: Fork Yeah! Fork
- Drivetrain: Microshift Sword 1×10 drivetrain
- Brakes: Avid BB7 brakes
- Wheels: Esker “House” wheelset
- Handlebar: PNW Coast, 480mm
- Saddle: Ergon
- Tires: Maxxis Ikon 29 x 2.2″
2026 Esker Lorax Options
- Paint: Ranchera or Lunar ($150)
- Fork: Reba Gold 120mm ($300), ENVE MTN Carbon fork ($450), SID Ultimate 120mm ($900)
- Cockpit: PNW Loam Dropper ($200)
- Drivetrain: SRAM Apex 1 Eagle w/ Hydraulic brakes ($500)
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT/GRX 12 speed ($800)
- Wheels: Industry Nine 1/1 Enduro S ($500)
- Wheels: Industry Nine 1/1 Enduro S Carbon ($1,000)
- Wheels: BERD Hawk 27 ($1,600)
The Esker Lorax is still available in four frame sizes, with the same geometry described in Neil and Logan’s reviews. Other notable specs include external cable routing, a threaded bottom bracket, and 22 threaded bosses for cages, racks, and more. Make sure to check out our reviews of the titanium and steel Lorax, listed in the Further Reading grid just below.
Visit EskerCycles.com to learn more.
Further Reading
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