Revel Unveils Airtime-Seeking Tweedy Dirt Jumper: Get Your Kicks on a Pair of 26s

Folks, not everyone has the brass to jump bikes on a daily basis, tempting the fates with every launch and landing. Heck, I used to dabble in some airtime myself, but after some serious accidents and missing extra bits, I've decided to keep my wheels on the ground for as long as possible.

However, some of the cyclists out there never lose sight of that feeling in the pit of their stomach as they fly around jump after jump, and luckily for them, Revel Bikes is one of the crews they can call upon. You may have heard of this brand before, as we've covered their work on multiple occasions.

Having been founded in Carbondale, Colorado, Revel has made a name for itself by crafting rock-loving mountain goats with some of the plushest - patented- suspension systems on the planet. These days, they build a bike for just about any explorer out there, including gravel, a couple of fat tire monsters, and high fliers like the Tweedy before us.

But why does this name sound familiar? Tweedy, Tweedy... hmm. Oh, I know! Brady Tweedy is one of those riders who never lost touch with that feeling in his stomach. He's a pro rider from Utah with some mad BMX skills, having amassed around 15K followers on Instagram with his skills and adrenaline-filled flicks. Well, he's been working with Revel for a few years now, so it was about time they built with his input on the whole matter.

Now, don't be mistaken; this isn't Revel's first airtime-seeking machine. Another is their TF, a two-wheeler built around 27.5 in wheels meant for soft landings, easy manipulation and control, and one heck of a riding position: dropped low, really low. It even has a belted drivetrain.

Tweedy, on the other hand, is a bit different. For example, the 27.5 in wheels have been reduced to 26 in babies, so more in line with what the traditional jumper is sporting, and at the front, 100 mm of Marzocchi Bomber DJ power softens your landings and lets you tune your takeoffs.

First, let's start off with the backbone of any bicycle: the frame. Here, Revel is using industry-approved Reynolds steel. It's light, strong, and, because of the innate properties of steel, will take a beating jump after jump.

While such bikes tend to be as bare as possible - don't picture any internal cable routing or countless water bottle cages or mounts - the way Revel crafts each one is just downright clean. Welds are smooth and barely visible, tubes reinforced where needed - check out the area where the head tube meets the down tube - and that slanted top tube allows for the clearance you'll need on your landings. Go ahead, squeeze this beauty between your legs, and whip it around, no pun intended.

At the front of the Tweedy, I mentioned that I found a Bomber DJ fork with 100 mm (3.9 in) of travel. This component alone makes up for $730 (Marzocchi price) of the Tweedy's $2,500 (€2,300 at current exchange rates) price tag and is built specifically for this type of bicycle.

A tapered steerer tube means stiffness is not going to be a problem, a short crown for control and flicks, and yes, it's tuned for 26 in wheels, so don't bother trying to switch things around. What I liked most is that Tweedy's headtube is built around this component.

As I mentioned, this style of bike is always more bare than what we're used to on the streets, back roads, or mountain trails. With that in mind, we're presented with a simple single-speed setup, eliminating cables that you can get snagged on and ensuring you maintain the flow you're in. One cable does exist, and it's for a TRP Slate T4 brake found at the rear.

One component that's crucial for this type of bike is the tires. Not only are they responsible for the grip you want on launches, but they need to be plush on landings, reducing impacts for the bike and rider alike. For this job, Revel calls upon Maxxis to provide a pair of DTH tires with 2.3 in cross-section. That's bigger than some MTB tires, so you're set there.

Now, take all that, place yourself in the middle of the action, and head to your nearest park or pump track. Once you get there, stand up, make sure you've had your cartilage pills - knees get old quickly - and get into that flow. Feel those pits of air in your stomach and let it bring a smile to your face.

Even if you haven't done this sort of riding in ages, the tool you have is still sure to give you one heck of an experience, but until you start catching airtime with a Tweedy, you won't fully understand what it's all about. one way to find out is to find a dealership with one of this in stock and take it out for a test ride.