First Look: Cavalerie Anakin V2 - A Gearbox Enduro Bike Made in France

Jun 1, 2022
by Mike Kazimer  
photo

Cavalerie recently unveiled their latest French-made creation, the Anakin V2. Like the original version, the aluminum frame is based around an Effigear gearbox, but it's received significant updates when it comes to geometry and the number of possible configurations.

The rear travel can now be set at either 158, 164, or 176mm by adjusting the stroke of the Formula Mod coil shock, and the frame's dual crown compatibility allows it to serves as everything from an enduro bike to a park / mini-DH machine. Thanks to the swappable dropouts, the rear wheel size can be changed without dramatically altering the geometry. The 158 is designed around 29” wheels, the 164 runs a mixed wheel setup, and the 176 can be purchased with either mixed wheels or two 27.5” wheels.

Anakin V2 Details

Frame material: 7020 aluminum
Rear travel: 156, 164, or 176mm
Wheelsize: 29" front and rear, mixed, or dual 27.5"
Drivetrain: Effigear 9 speed, 440% range
Sizes: M, L, XL
Head tube angle: 63.8°
Seat tube angle: 77°
Price: From €6,350
More info: cavalerie-bikes.com
The chainstays are adjustable in order to add tension to the chain or belt drive (both configurations are available), or to alter the bike's handling. With 14mm of adjustment, the chainstay length can be set anywhere from 425 – 439mm with a 29” rear wheel, or 422 – 436mm with a 27.5” wheel, a range I'd classify as being from very short to medium.


photo
photo


The frame is made from 7020 aluminum, and now uses sealed cartridge bearings instead of the bushings found on the previous version. The seat tube lengths have been reduced to make it possible to run long travel dropper posts, and the top tube height has also dropped, a change made possible by the vertical shock orientation.

The Anakin V2 uses the Effigear Original gearbox, a 9-speed system that has a 440% gear range. It's compatible with a modified SRAM trigger shifter, a benefit over the systems that require a twist shifter.

photo

Cavalerie only have one geometry table available on their website that's based off a fork with a 585mm axle to crown, figures that correspond with a 29” 170mm fork. In that configuration, the bike has a 63.8-degree head angle, 475mm reach, and a 77-degree seat tube angle, numbers that align with Cavalerie's goal of creating a bike that was modern without going to extremes.

Prices start at 4,100 Euro for a frame kit (gearbox, cranks, and hub included), and the complete bikes start at 6,350 Euro. The Anakin V2 is expected to be available in some configurations starting in October 2022.

photo
photo





Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Enduro Bikes Cavalerie Cavalerie Anakin


Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,721 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Police Called to Scott Sports Headquarters as CEO Dispute Continues
63820 views
First Ride: Fox Releases New Grip X & Grip X2 Dampers
46077 views
Pinkbike Poll: Center Lock or 6-Bolt Brake Rotor Mounting?
42319 views
Tech Briefing: Fancy Suspension, Carbon Wheels, Spring Apparel & More
37082 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line for Round 1
33262 views
SRAM Patent Shows Compact Motor x Battery Unit
31378 views
Bike Check: Craig Evans' Airdrop Edit V5
30390 views
First Look: Fair Bicycle's Drop Best Offset Saddle Clamp is Universally Compatible
29082 views

136 Comments
  • 249 0
 Hopefully it climbs well enough to gain the high ground
  • 66 4
 It's terrible in Sandy conditions
  • 81 7
 But why would you even ride it in sandy conditions? It's coarse and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere.
Perfect way to ruin a bike.
  • 15 63
flag AFunFox (Jun 1, 2022 at 15:56) (Below Threshold)
 @SkipSkovhugger: whoosh
  • 61 2
 @AFunFox: actually the whoosh is on you…he played it well…
  • 7 1
 @AFunFox: bro…
  • 2 1
 @Betacygni: Indeed it is, and thanks :-)
  • 2 0
 @SkipSkovhugger: Tak... for once I read something that makes sense...
  • 6 0
 I'm sure it slays the climbs as good as it slays Tusken Raiders and Jedi Younglings.
  • 3 1
 @ratedgg13: Liar!!!!
  • 3 1
 @Betacygni: a surprise for sure, but a welcome one.
  • 171 0
 It’s over a Anakin I have the high pivot!
  • 89 0
 You underestimate my ldler efficiency!
  • 58 1
 @superkeen: the fork is strong with this one
  • 32 0
 @superkeen:

“don’t try it”

SWOOSH, BRUP, VROOM (Anakin now has upgraded to a lefty fork)
  • 5 0
 Pod Racing background
  • 1 0
 @sewer-rat: yesssss
  • 66 1
 Probably rides like crap on the sand
  • 3 0
 lol....
  • 17 5
 at least with a sealed gearbox the sand won't get everywhere, and its coarseness can't affect shifting
  • 52 0
 Anakin V2 = Darth Vader?
  • 15 0
 This bike is your father
  • 25 0
 Naw V1 was a former slave / pod racer
V2 is a Jedi Knight but too feared to sit at the high pivot table
V3 it’ll be manipulated by Neko Mulally and have a O chain with a mid pivot. Then it’ll be Vader
  • 3 0
 ...........Full Rage Kenobi EpIII Vader?
“What have you become?”
“I am what you made me… the years have made you weak.”
  • 2 1
 Mickey mouse
  • 3 0
 @kroozctrl: Just imagine the insanity, this bike with an O-Chain.
  • 3 0
 Needs to be an ebike for that.
  • 2 1
 Ron Jeremy
  • 2 0
 @RedBurn: We love this one ahah
  • 43 2
 Mid -high pivot: check
gearbox: check
Good geo: check
Metal: check

Seems to check all the boxes. All the comment section rockstars better start selling blood and pony up for one of these.

More seriously, I've always thought the effigear approach was better in theory than the pinon, which seems over-engineered for a human powered device. This design has the potential for less friction & drag, more reliability, and more easily allows a high(er) pivot.

That being said, I remember around 2016 or so, someone made the Redbull live broadcast for a DH race, and his effigear failed during his race run....
  • 21 0
 That was Benoit Coulanges, riding a Nicolai Effigear, as far as I remember the gearbox housing was much more exposed to flying rocks and it bent during his run, locking the gears inside
  • 7 0
 @breizhval: good memory!
  • 5 1
 I feel like we have different boxes. Keepin my blood, bruh.
  • 3 0
 AND
Double crown fork: check

Need something more valuable to sell, but we'll figure it out. Gotta get one!
  • 4 0
 Not gonna lie, I really want one! This is the first bike I a long while that I'm truly interested in.
  • 21 0
 Better live up to the hype. Could be the chosen one.
  • 2 0
 This is a nice one Wink
  • 22 0
 Now THIS is podracing
  • 13 1
 Love it. Strong support for 9-sp hub gears and adaptable/adjustable frame geo.
  • 13 2
 Yessss #killTheDerailleur
  • 11 1
 This bike looks like a real Skywalker.
  • 10 1
 Maybe we could all go to France and show our support......maybe get maced in the process.....fucking sick bike tho!
  • 6 0
 I just bought my first gear box bike, a Nicolai Argon, and quite frankly it’s the best hardtail I’ve ridden; the Pinion gear box is the real deal!

I am looking for an FS gearbox bike, the Pinion bikes aren’t bad, but you have to run a tensioner. The Effigear is a nice way around needing a tensioner, but it’s heavier and you get a narrower range.

The one thing the Anakin has going for it that no Pinion design has matched is the short chainstays.

So yeah, I was already considering the Anakin, now they went and made it better, so that may be my next bike Smile
  • 4 0
 We are glad to be on your wish list !

Be careful, the Mimic gearbox (same size as pinion) is lighter of 50g so it's basically the same weight.
And for the 3 axles of the Anakin, the gearbox is dirrectly weld with teh frame. So you delet 6 screws, a bridge and this allow to save some weight, and won some rigidity !
  • 4 0
 FWIW, I bought a Katipo a year ago and don't think I could actually buy a derailleur bike again. They just seem silly. The Katipo actually cured my bike buying problem. There just aren't adequate words to describe the difference you experience bombing through rock gardens or shifting instantly or the silence of the belt drive. It's just surreal.
  • 9 0
 May the force be with this one.
  • 5 2
 *the horse
  • 7 2
 "SRAM trigger shifter, a benefit over the systems that require a twist shifter."

I love my Pinion grip shifter. In operation it is a superior system to trigger shifters.

People still think of the plasticy rubbish from the 90's whenever gripshift is mentioned. Trust me, this is not the case with Pinion gripshifters. They are robust and precise and allow you shift as many gears as you need, almost instantaeneously.
  • 3 0
 I had a nicer SRAM grip shift for a bit. I hated it. It was too easy to accidentally shift and I couldn't run my preferred grips. Not having a trigger shifter means a no go for me.
  • 3 0
 @93EXCivic: I had xx1 gripshift, to be fair I think the shifting itself is superior with grip shift, faster smoother less clunky shifts and easier to change multiple gears fast...but like you I wasn't happy about limited grip choice and secondly braking while dropping gears is something I do more often than I thought and is much harder without triggers.
  • 3 0
 people always knock gearboxes and related tech but I have never met someone who has ridden one long enough to really form an opinion and still doesn't like them. I think the grip shift on the pinion is great. you get used to it and it works. I kept mine more inboard with a custom cut grip and it worked beautifully. also there is tons of grip choice if you just use a hacksaw or a razor.....
  • 2 0
 @trialsracer: I use push on ODI's and the comfort and grip is the best I've ever felt.
  • 1 0
 NO chance this will fit between my grips and brakes..
  • 1 0
 @Serpentras: you need to lay off the thalidomide mate.
  • 9 0
 What a beautiful bike.
  • 7 0
 @mikekazimer the shock on the pictures is the Fast Fenix (also made in France), not the Formula mod you mentionned
  • 4 0
 True, but the spec sheet lists a Formula Mod as the shock the bikes will come with.
  • 4 0
 @mikekazimer: Except the frameset that comes with an optional Fast Fenix
  • 8 0
 Does it hate sand?
  • 5 0
 Anyone have a ride report of the effigear box? This thing is very intriguing given my history of bent hangers and broken derailleurs.
  • 8 0
 Seb Stott did a good job explaining the pros and cons here: www.pinkbike.com/news/review-starling-spur-no-derailleur-no-worries.html
  • 8 0
 I've ridden both pinion and effigear (have pinion on my primary mtb). While I like both and would choose effigear over pretty much every other derailluer system, I actually like the pinion a lot better because of the grip shift option. Makes it so you can flip through all 12 gears in one twisting motion
  • 2 0
 @elitipton: What is the engagement like? I've heard a gear box has sloppy engagement, like comparing Shimano hubs to Kings.
  • 1 0
 I'm curious about how gearboxes affect pedal kickback, anti-squat and general kinematics. Anybody got some rough estimates?
  • 3 0
 @Glory831Guy: On their own gearboxes don't affect them. Now this layout with medium pivot with concentric chainring/belt pulley is going to have close to zero pedal kickback. For anti-squat it depends on how high the pivot is. (same for anti-rise as this is a single pivot)
  • 6 0
 I have the Starling Spur.
Decending is suprisingly quiet and composed. The Effigear has a own freehub inside, plus the on in the rear hub, thus pedal kick back is low.
Changing gears feels a bit different compared to a standard derailleur, with the trigger still familiar. You will get used to it quit quick and see some benefits (changing gears without moving the chain).

I'm happy.
  • 6 0
 Someday, this formula will be the winning ticket for mountain bikes. I'm still not too sure that day is today.
  • 2 0
 @ak-77: Yup yup, agreed. The bikes I listed (what most modern geo tends to be aligning on) in terms of seat tube about 35ish mm shorter than reach seems to fit most folks (especially with 210mm+ droppers).

This rig...I'd ride the shit out of it, but agreed probably not good for long-legged folks.
  • 3 1
 This was supposed to be a reply to the thread below, lol. Oops.
  • 6 0
 ...two speed rear hub, make it 600%. Be better than Srams 500%
  • 4 1
 Chainstays that short are a fail for a modern bike of this purpose. Really too bad because its a cool machine! I guess I should speak your guys' language here. They put the ti-fighter swingarm on the millennium falcon.
  • 5 1
 The main goal of this bike is to have fun. We don't want to make race bike. So the idea behind was to put big whip with, and be the most stylish rider of the trails !
  • 4 0
 This looks amazing! I was lucky to ride one of their bikes in 2015 in Morzine... What a bike! The craziest thing about it is how silent it was.
  • 6 1
 @DoubleCrownAddict Come Quick!!!
  • 3 0
 I like it, especially the elevated chainring. But the Lal Supre recessed derailleur design is more is more efficient and has more potential.
m.pinkbike.com/u/DoubleCrownAddict/blog/world-cup-dh-drivetrains-are-not-up-to-task.html
  • 1 0
 @DoubleCrownAddict: so you do respond to my comments. Care to respond to the message I sent you?
  • 5 0
 Every time you get to a drop you have to yell "Anakin... Drop!"
  • 4 0
 Am I missing some references here?
  • 2 0
 Cool bike. Cool video. Though, I thought Commencal had the patent on hooning inexpensive European cars in mountain bike edits.
  • 1 0
 lucky us, we bypassed the patent, it's a Japanese car Smile
  • 2 0
 Failed ! It's a subaru impreza and not European at all Wink
  • 1 0
 @Cavalerie-Bikes: You got me. Carspotting fail.
  • 1 0
 But both have some good music taste!! People were making fun of euro techno but now they have better music than american videos... Wink

Wu-Tang is for the children!
  • 1 0
 @Cavalerie-Bikes Je veux cela! Congratulations, I think you made a very interesting bike. One that truly stands out from the crowd for all the right reasons. I'll be ordering a framesetSmile
  • 3 0
 Anakin finish for the tubes gives the bike a great look.
  • 4 0
 I like it
  • 4 1
 Same seat tube length across all sizes is a weird move
  • 3 0
 Agreed
  • 3 0
 It looks like seatpost insertion is great, so someone riding a large can run a 240 dropper slammer. Makes a lot of sense. As a tall person a lot of bikes out there have poor seat post insertion (giant, trek, specialized, we are one...) - this one looks good.
  • 3 0
 This bike had to be a fun one, so no matter the size, you have to be able to ride with the saddle as low as possible. For tall people, you just need a tall seat post
  • 4 0
 I am your father
  • 3 0
 What's with French bike vids and horses?
  • 3 0
 lmgtfy.app/?q=cavalerie+meaning
  • 2 0
 @mi-bike: Yeah, I'm dumb... What about the Commencal Hurricane vid?
  • 3 0
 @Rhymer: cuz it looked sick? Idk
  • 2 0
 So "sessiony" but I still dig it.
  • 1 1
 What about the blackbird? Bring it back!!

www.pinkbike.com/news/first-look-cavalerie-bikes-blackbird-carbon-gearbox-bike-garda-trentino-2019.html
  • 1 0
 blackbird is breeding
  • 2 0
 Maybe in few years, but for the moment, we are focused on the E-bike for the Carbon frames...
  • 2 0
 Some one needs to get a blue lightsabre painted on the top tube of theirs.
  • 2 0
 Gearbox is possibly the only tech mtb needs to pursue for our $$$
  • 1 0
 If there was any bike in the galaxy that needs a lefty fork, it is this one!
  • 2 0
 Love those squared tubes ala Morewood.
  • 1 0
 GT force inspired

This bike is one with GT force, and GT force is with this bike Wink
  • 1 0
 This bike is sick, I hope some Amurikan/Canadian manufacturer will make an equivalently capable and good looking bike.
  • 1 1
 Awesome looking bike built for radness and suicides I reckon but that advert was poor.
  • 1 0
 I tried to buy a V1 and they were sold out well into the future.
  • 1 0
 I feel the force (required to pedal uphill) is strong with this one
  • 1 1
 Bike has a FAST FENIX ENDURO SHOCK not a formula one.
  • 1 0
 On the last two pictures it has Formula shock
  • 2 0
 @imkick: too small for my old eyes
  • 1 2
 A 440% gear ratio seems pretty narrow for winching up steep fire road climbs.
  • 4 0
 well, its more that a standard 11spd 11/46 (only 418%). In my opinion 440% is sufficient.
From riding my Starling Spur I only can confirm it is sufficient.
  • 5 0
 Update, There will be a new gearbox on it and the ration is 469% now.
  • 1 0
 Dollars please $$
  • 1 0
 Multiply by 1.1
  • 1 0
 Total weight?
  • 12 15
 430mm seat tube length on XL is effing bonkers. Seriously, when will bike companies stop this annoying trend of 10 year olds kids bikes for adults.
  • 4 0
 Perhaps when they stop gearing their promo vids toward 10 year olds?
  • 22 1
 Just get a longer dropper post. Wouldn't you rather have your seat low on the descents?
  • 5 0
 @aelazenby: Agreed 100%. A lot of bikes have tall enough seat tubes or thru-frame shock placement that eliminates the opportunity to use 180mm+ droppers. Just get a long dropper and enjoy the room to move on the steeps.
  • 3 3
 On the other hand, a 430mm seat tube on a 450mm Reach bike makes absolutely no sense, for the opposite reason... Thankfully, besides Canyon and Propain, there are not that many brands doing this
  • 6 2
 @KJP1230: I've got 508mm STL and a OneUp 210mm that still sticks out an inch. With a 430mm STL, that's getting pretty dang low with a lot of my dropper exposed and not the good part. I'm 6-4 with 34inseam, not weirdly big.
  • 3 0
 @sadfusde: I have the previous Propain Spindrift (1.83m, size L) and am thankful for every mm of seat tube length. My dropper is already sticking out 100mm. If they cut another 50mm to make the bike suitable for the 1.60m XL frame gang I couldnt even ride the bike without a 210mm dropper, since I would be running into minimum insertion deph of the dropper post. Its not like 465mm reach is unsuitable for someone my height.

There arent just dwarfs who really want to ride a 510mm reach, but also people with long legs.
  • 2 1
 @aelazenby: I don't need the seat below my knees. And I want some support for that long dropper. With a 430mm seat tube, there is 400 mm to go from the top of the tube to the top of the saddle. Subtract 50mm for the saddle etc and you're talking about a 350mm dropper. I'm 186cm/6'1 tall, nothing extraordinary.
  • 2 0
 @ak-77: You have to subtract the crank length and add pedal and sole thickness as well as a few more millimeters since you dont fully extend your legs, but the point still stands. Steat tubes that are too short dont make sense either.
  • 2 0
 @KJP1230: especially now that OneUp has a 240mm post.
  • 5 0
 Long torso and short legs over here...just in the last few years have I been able to buy a bike with 475mm+ reach (what I like) with a short enough seat tube for me.

Currently on a L 2021 transition patrol (430mm seat tube, 210mm oneup dropper fits perfectly, sticking out 1.5"), and a L 2020 Norco Optic (445mm seat tube, also a 210mm OneUp dropper sticking out slightly less).

430mm on XL does seem ridiculous. But...I won't buy a Propain or Banshee (probably more, I was just interested specifically in those two recently) because their seat tubes are waaaay too tall.

Before recent geo, I've seriously considered buying a bike with a longer seat tube and chopping down said seat tube a bit to be able to lower the seat more (uninterrupted seat tube, of course). Wonder if a manufacturer would ever design that into their frame design...
  • 2 0
 @endoplasmicreticulum: What do soles and cranks have to do with this? The measurement I quoted (830 mm) is from center of the BB to top of the saddle, when I have adjusted the saddle to my preferred pedaling height. Sure, with different cranks that would be different. But I don't have to subtract or add anything. And for sure I'm not buying a bike with 430 seat tube and then put 250mm cranks on it so I can slam the 240 dropper and strike pedals every rotation. I'll pick a different frame.
  • 4 0
 @robotdave: Every bike review should have a short discussion on what body types will fit the bike. A short seat tube with long reach is not a pro or a con. It's a fit.
  • 1 0
 @Svinyard: I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam, and I cannot run longer than a 180mm dropper on my Enduro. Makes me sad. Smile
  • 2 1
 @aelazenby: Thx aelazenby ! The goal of the bike is to be fun in downhill with a low seat.

You just have to buy your own seatpost if you want a 1km lengh tube.
  • 2 1
 @Cavalerie-Bikes: With this bike and my body, a 240mm one up dropper would have 80 mm of non-moving seatpost showing. That's a no-go for me. Since you seem to be open to non-standard solutions, how about a seatpost design that can be cut to length like a fork steerer or handlebar? An at-home solution might be tricky but perhaps a cut-to order is feasible?
  • 2 3
 Looks great, just don't have it as a bloody Mullet!
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.058573
Mobile Version of Website