Defender Bikes

New Variant V4 gravel bike just dropped! Here are some highlights:

- Revised geo for a bit more control during technical descent
- Semi internal cable routing, through the headset top cap
- 700 x53 mm clearance and 44 tooth chainring clearance (wide spindle)
- UDH dropouts
- t47 bb for maintenance that won’t make you pull your hair out

We took the V3 and made small tweaks to further refine the platform. We already had a great rig, this takes the Variant V3, Andes even more capability.

Head over to the site to learn more! If you have questions shoot us an email or give us a call.

[email protected]

Hub and Hops Clay Road Classic

Kicking off 2026 by exhibiting at the Clay Road Classic. Great bikes, great people and great vibes! If you're in the area, stop by and say hello 😊 We are launching 2 new models this year. The Variant V4 gravel bike and the new drop bar mountain bike the Velocity. Excited for the new season!!!

Magnotal Tire Testing

We finally got our hands on a set of Magnotals 2.4 for some testing. Thoughts are below:

Install: fairly easy to install with no issues and beads seated straight away.
Measurements: pumping them up to 32 psi to have them stretch out and further ensure bead seating. Both tires measured right at 2.35. a little short of the 2.4 listed, but my experience with Continentals is that they'll expand a little bit after riding.
Weight: so before installation the rear tire weighed 800 g and the front weighed 776 g. A little disconcerting the weight difference is that large, but luckily the heavier tire ended up on the rear.
Pressures: I ran the front at 24 PSI and the rear at 25.5 PSI. No leaks and the tires held pressure nicely!
On the trail: immediate impressions were surprised at how fast rolling they were. I have been riding a set of Trinotals and these did not feel much more rolling resistance than those. I used the trail casing with the grip compound and was never lacking for grip. It was nice and even from edge to edge and there was no concern at all of laying the tire over on its side. As a matter of fact, I set 3 PRs and that's comparing it to the Vector XC that I'm usually on! Today's testing was on our Orbit trail bike that has had updates for 2026. Stay tuned for more information on that!
More testing will continue. What I will say right now is that the Magnitols are probably the best trail tire I've ever been on. Now I have heard some comments on lack of grip but then usually later in their posts they're comparing these tires to much more aggressive tread tries. Remember, these are a trail tire, not an Enduro tire. And if you're expecting Enduro traction and performance then I'd say you've chosen the wrong tire. The next test for these will be at Rattlesnake Bike Park in Winnsboro, SC. We can't wait to see how the Magnotals perform in the fast and gnarly 😁
Watch this space...

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Hey Katie, welcome to the Defender family! Defender Bikes is pleased to introduce Katie Prowell. She is a junior at Piedmont University in Demorest, Georgia where she is a member of the Piedmont Cycling team showing off her skills in road racing, mountain bike racing, and gravel grinding! Katie has a dual major in Neuroscience and Mathematics where she aspires to be a professor upon graduation. Katie has a passion for photography as well as anything on two wheels (go figure 😏). We are big fans of Katie and have confidence she will, no doubt, have a bright future!!!

Steve from Hubs and Hops just knocked down his second unbound gravel on his Saluda/Variant! His comment to us was "the bike performed perfectly!!!... Not one issue!!" That's exactly what we like to hear from our riders. Steve's our hero 💪🏻💪🏻

Jason wanted a light and fast frame to be able to custom build his own ride. He chose the Defender Vector as the basis for his build. We'd say he made the right choice 😏

New bike days are the best days! Kris has not been able to devote much time to his new Orbit hotrod (he's been very busy serving our country) but finally caught a break and now has some thoughts on his new ride:

"The weather finally turned in Florida and got some time away to put the bike through it's paces. It's been absolutely phenomenal. Put on about 20 miles per weekend over the past few weeks of techy singletrack. Climbing has been a breeze and super smooth through the rough stuff. Have had a few big hits coming off jumps or drops and the bike soaks them up and asks for more. Couldn't be happier with it."

Now that's what we like to hear 😁 Thank you Kris for the rave review and most importantly, thank you for keeping us all safe. GO NAVY!!! ⚓

We thrive on feedback from our customers. It moves us forward on creating the best bikes possible for all riders!

Owner Phil Reia's reactions to his first few rides on his newly built Orbit Race Beat Edition: It's a good weapon! Nimble, climbs like a machine. Fit feels good. AXS works great! So precise. Brakes feel good. Still dialing in the suspension for more low speed compliance neverless, the bike is awesome 👏👏👏

We told you something spacial was comming 😏 We are pleased to introduce the Orbit Race Beat Special Edition!!! Custom paint designed by the owner Phil Reia, this build exemplifies what Defender Bikes is all about...making your pefect bespoke bike! The build is comprised of the best of components: Defender Orbit full carbon composite frame, SRAM XO Transmission groupset, Rockshox Reverb AXS dropper post, Ohlins RXF34 m.2 130mm fork along with TTX Air 1 shock, Magura MT7 4 piston brakes, Renthal carbon bars and Apex 35 stem, and Aggressor MT29 carbon wheels with Continental Mountain King 2.3 tires. Total weight 26.8lbs! #mtb #mtblife #enduro #enduromtb #endurolife #sram #sramtransmission #rockshox #ohlinsusa #ohlinsmtb #magura #renthal #mountainbiker #mountainbikes #mountainbiking #enduro4all #gripology #conti_mtb

ATTENTION!!! Something special is coming. Watch this space 👀😁