Reverse Components Launches 2021 Bike Hacks Including Shock Travel Indicator & Angle Spacers

Nov 18, 2020
by ReverseComponents  
Hanna Retz Photography

Press Release: Reverse Components

Sometimes you don’t need a new bike, you just need to improve the one you’ve got. Working around standards and improving bike geometry has always been a passion of ours and our Bike Hacks line adds to the range of ways you can make small but effective changes to your ride.

From new Angle Spacers to stems that fit both bar diameters and travel indicators for coil shocks - for 2021, we decided to create a range of new products designed to increase rider options, performance and simplicity.

Travel and Sag Indicator

Hanna Retz Photography

Hanna Retz Photography
Hanna Retz Photography

The Travel and Sag indicator is a simple tool to measure the amount of travel you are using on your coil shock and to get the ideal sag measurement. An external shaft is held in place at the top and bottom of your shock, with an "o" ring to show how much travel you are using. The Travel and Sag Indicator can be used on the bike while testing and setting up your bike, zip tie it on, do some runs and see how much preload you need or if your spring rate is right. For setting sag, simply measure where the “O ring” has reached on the scale and compare to a sag chart. This saves time and is much easier to get an accurate reading. Perfect for bike shops and suspension tuners. € 24,90

Angle Spacers

Hanna Retz Photography

In 2019 we launched our 0.5 ° Angle Spacer for tapered forks. This simple spacer sits in place of your crown race at the bottom of your steerer, raising the height by 10mm, equating to a half-degree slacker head angle. Instead of upgrading the fork or changing internals, this allows you to modify your geometry very quickly and easily.

For 2020/21, we expanded this range to include an Angle Spacer for straight 1 1/8" steerer tube single crown forks and a wider, sealed DH version to sit flush on wide DH headtubes, allowing riders with these setups to also benefit from this geometry tweak.

Hanna Retz Photography
Hanna Retz Photography

DH Angle Spacer € 19.90 | 1 1/8” Angle Spacer € 12.90 | Tapered steerer Angle Spacer € 12.90

Singlespeed Kit for XD Driver Hub Bodies


Hanna Retz Photography

Hanna Retz Photography
Hanna Retz Photography

This CNC machined kit attaches to SRAM XD freehub bodies allowing riders who have XD driver setups to go singlespeed. Couple this with a chain tensioner and you've got a solid, hassle free setup for Bikepark laps all summer long.

€ 89.90

Chain Tensioner and Singlespeed Kit


Hanna Retz Photography

The chain tensioner + singlespeed kit combo has proven popular with our freeriders and bike park fans across Europe and the USA. The singlespeed kit allows all you to convert your normal HG style hub to a singlespeed setup with an oversized 7mm wide flange (standard is 2.8mm) for less freehub wear, coupled with a chain tensioner to keep everything running tight and smooth with a full suspension bike. Compatibility: with 9/10/11spd chains and 13 - 17T sprockets.

SS Kit €25.90

Hanna Retz Photography

Chain Tensioner RRP €69.90

Steerer Clamp

Hanna Retz Photography
Hanna Retz Photography

The steerer clamp is a headset spacer with an additional clamping function, designed to go underneath your stem for double security. Not only does this ensure that your headset holds well, it's ideal for working/travelling with your bike. If you have the bike in the work stand, you can tighten the steerer clamp and I'll hold everything in place when you loosen your stem and headset. If you're removing/turning your bars for travelling, this will keep everything in place until you arrive at your destination.

RRP € 9.90

Black One D-2 Stem


Hanna Retz Photography

Hanna Retz Photgraphy
Hanna Retz Photography

Simplicity and rider options were the drivers for the creation of the Black One D-2 stem. D-2 standing for 2 Diameters, this stem allows riders to use 31.8mm and 35mm bars with the same stem. A simple, carefully designed shim fits inside the stem for use with 31.8mm bars and when removed, it fits 35mm. Ideal for riders who have a few sets of bars with different rises and want to continue using them all, or who may upgrade to a 35mm set in the future without having to buy another stem. Available in 35mm length, in standard or specially CNC machined Ti edition with polished or gloss black finish and Titanium bolts.

€ 59.90 / €84.90 for Ti edition


Flip Guide


Hanna Retz Photography
Hanna Retz Photography

Available for ISCG05 and Bosch Gen 4 / Shimano systems, the Flip Guide is our latest chainguide solution that allows the user to make quick adjustments and "flip" the guide out of the way by hand when removing the crank. By hand, you can flip the upper guide out of the way and into the "service" position for easy chain cleaning and crank removal if necessary. When done, flip it back down into the "riding" position and it will firmly lock into place, keeping the chain secure on the roughest of tracks!


For secondary adjustments, the Flip guide has a clever spring-loaded, micro-adjustment system that allows fine-tuning of the top guide via the allen bolt to get it sitting within the chain line perfectly - simply thread in to bring closer or thread out to move it further away.

€29.90

Hanna Retz Photography

Photos: Hanna Retz

The Bike Hacks range is now available in Reverse dealers and online stores.

For more information and to see the rest of our product range, please check out our website - https://www.reverse-components.com/en

Reverse Components, Black Forest, Germany.
#Unitedinshred


Author Info:
ReverseComponents avatar

Member since Jul 7, 2016
29 articles

143 Comments
  • 115 1
 Great thing about the shock sag indicator is everyone will think you're a pro cos it looks like suspension testing hardware from a distance.
  • 27 3
 True Wink It is an affordable suspension testing/tuning device to get your coil shock spring rate set up well, without the expense of data logging etc, which is probably unnecessary for most people.
  • 34 0
 attached couple of dummy cables and a wee box on the frame somewhere to complete the look
  • 5 0
 @ReverseComponents: Make it possible to attach a goporo, some simple software and you have poor mans telemetry Wink

Btw, when will it be available in bigger shops like bike24?
  • 7 0
 @lkubica: Hehe, we like the go pro idea. There's a few online shops that have them in stock already, and the rest will follow in the next 2-3 weeks.
  • 5 0
 @ReverseComponents:
can you tell me: Is that crankset customized or available anywhere? Wonder if there's a build story for that bike anywhere.. looks rather interesting.
  • 4 0
 @danimaniac: Our team rider Max Kruse may be able to scratch that in for you for a small fee.. Wink .He did it custom for his Nicolai build. We'll get some further details about this bike on our social media channels as a few people have asked this now!
  • 2 0
 @ReverseComponents: lovely! (the Max Kruse part)
the rest also.. actually dropped a like to your facebook site to not miss out on that
  • 4 0
 How does someone from the U.S. order a shock indicator??@ReverseComponents:
  • 5 0
 @gnarcissistictendency: Our distributor BTI will be getting stock soon and it will appear on online shops and in store shortly.
  • 1 0
 @ReverseComponents: How tight is the chain tensioner? Is it as tight as a Sram clutch?
  • 2 7
flag 185cm79kg18cm (Nov 18, 2020 at 7:04) (Below Threshold)
 @ReverseComponents: for the shock sag indicator to work properly you need a fully linear suspension linkage. Am i right? not sure tbh. but the shock is linear and you mostly have a progressive suspension curve on most frames, so the percentage of sag at the shock isn't the same percentage of sag depending on your frame or progression curve? right?
  • 8 0
 @185cm79kg18cm: Sag is measured on the shock, the linkage doesn't affect it. What you're talking about is suspension travel - you're right that 25% shock sag doesn't equal 25% travel, but that's not what the tool is measuring.
  • 2 0
 @healthy-not-sick-biker: Yes it has very strong tension and would equal the tension provided by the clutch derailleur.
  • 1 8
flag 185cm79kg18cm (Nov 18, 2020 at 8:45) (Below Threshold)
 @honourablegeorge: Thank you! So if everybody uses 25% sag, that means everybody has a different effective sag, depending one the bike. So i guess that is a good indicator but not accurate. A tool for measuring the actual sag would have been nice.
  • 1 0
 @185cm79kg18cm: Yeah, sag and travel vary a bit as the leverage curve changes, but they won't be wildly different. If you wanted to actually measure travel, you have to do it at the wheel/axle, which brings a whole other set of complications.
  • 2 0
 @danimaniac: Get out your Dremel tool.
  • 8 0
 @185cm79kg18cm: Hey there, just to clarify this one. You will be able to get an accurate sag reading. Each manufacturer will provide the millimetre of shock stroke sag required for each bike (eg 18mm), and the Travel and Sag indicator has measurements in millimetres. So it's a perfect way to get your sag correct on a coil shock.
  • 2 0
 @ReverseComponents: it looks like it attaches to the piggy back on the shock, is there a way to use it on a non-piggyback shock such as Cane Creek IL?
  • 1 0
 @danimaniac: a must read/view in my eyes too
  • 1 0
 @gnarcissistictendency: how about a ruler and some tape, same thing?
  • 51 0
 These are really cool solutions and exactly the kind of content I like to see - even if it's not immediately applicable to me. Thanks PB!
  • 34 0
 They all look really well thought out and reasonably priced. Kudos! @ReverseComponents
  • 38 11
 I stopped looking at sag s long time ago... I just go by what feels right. If that’s 10% or 30% I don’t know and honestly I don’t care Wink
  • 117 4
 Username checks out!
  • 23 38
flag philthyphill (Nov 18, 2020 at 5:03) (Below Threshold)
 @mtb-jon: original comment award!
  • 13 0
 @mtb-jon: he's right though. When you select a spring rate it's based on weight and any subsequent decision to change spring rates should be determined by test rides, regardless if the sag is 25% or 35%.
  • 2 1
 Totally agree, i will not bother myself changing coil in case sag within 20-40% range;
  • 3 1
 Same - ride it until the coil rattles and give the collar a few turns. As long as my BB isn't dragging on the ground, I'm good. I love coils.
  • 4 4
 Sag is not important. What is important is how much travel is used during a ride and this tool is exactly for this. Sag can be measured using a bottom out bumper for free.
  • 2 1
 @lkubica: rubber band on RS do it, you can put rubber band on shock after service for 10 cents
  • 4 0
 @nickmalysh: Only to the point of bumper. Depending on the shock it can be over 1 cm. There is a massive difference between using all the travel and all the travel -1cm.
  • 19 1
 For riders in the US, the Angle spacers, Singlespeed kits, Chain Tensioners and Flip guide are already available - the rest will follow soon. Thanks for your support and positive comments.
  • 3 0
 I've been looking for one of those angle spacers. Just found them listed in europe online stores but sadly out of stock. Nice to know some stores have them in the US. Is there any stores in canada with stock? Canadian distributor?
  • 3 0
 Do you guys plan on making one that will work with an integrated headset? The headset bearing in my slash is too deep in the headtube the outer portion of the DH spacer contacts the frame (bottom of the headtube) before the bearing hits the race. Either one that fits inside the headtube or has the race set a little higher (only a few mm)

Makes a cool coaster on my desk now at least..! love the SS tensioner and conversion kit tho, bike is dialled now
  • 3 0
 @won-sean-animal-chin: Unfortunately we've got no Canadian distribution just yet. Please give us a follow on social media and we'll keep you updated, we should have someone soon.
  • 1 0
 @CEOJ: Thanks for the feedback, glad you like the tensioner and single speed kit ! Yes we're looking at this at the moment to find a solution for integrated headsets also.
  • 10 0
 Just like the bigger headtubes allow for inserts to play with reach and/or fork angle, wouldn't this just be a great opportunity for Reverse to make offset inserts in those stems so that people with 31.8mm handlebars can play with stem length and/or rise on a smaller scale than what headset spacers and stem length increments allow for. Now for one I'm definitely the sensitive kind that would even notice such a thing or bother with it, but when we see these pro-bikes here on Pinkbike they sometimes do go finicky lengths to achieve the in-between geometries they're looking for.

Or make it out of some special material to achieve vibration damping in a way other brands tend to do in the bars themselves.

Just some brainfarts. Again I don't need such level of fine tuning so I'm not personally calling for it, but some of your customers or athletes may be interested.
  • 7 0
 Interesting ideas, thanks for the input @vinay !
  • 6 0
 @ReverseComponents: The brainstorm is the most fun part of the job, I can imagine getting the details right (and come up with something that isn't insanely finicky to install and adjust for the home mechanic) is where the headache starts. Of course I can think of more than a few potential options (and sure so can you) but communicating that through means of a comment section (with no option to draw sketches) would be the biggest headache of them all Wink . Either way, your solutions here seem elegant (that is, clever and simple) so I trust you'll manage just fine.

Would definitely be cool if you manage to revive the Solid bike brand at some point. Even here on Pinkbike the voices of "no carbon, not interested" or "this much money for an aluminum frame, I can get a carbon ... for ..." seem to have hushed so you can actually get away with making good bikes (regardless of frame material) again.
  • 2 0
 It's been done for two-piece direct mount stem I had for my DH bike. Because the left and right side of the stem were separate pieces, it had a offset collet insert on each side, so it was a really huge pain in the ass to install or make adjustments. A one-piece would be so much easier to use.

Can't recall the brand of stem, but it was a really cool idea (not so cool execution).
  • 1 0
 @vinay: Thanks Vinay, it's great to hear from people with the same passion. And yes with Solid, you never know!
  • 11 0
 They gonna put Seth out of business
  • 6 0
 Love the steerer clamp/spacer. Mine keeps loosening. Also, a flip up chain guide is a great idea. Sometimes my chain jumps into the wrong narrow/wide in a crash or whatever, and it's a pig to get back on without an Allen key. Maybe I just need to adjust better...
  • 1 0
 I'd be quite interested on that clamp, just a shame that the thing was announced ages ago and you still can't find it anywhere for sale
  • 4 0
 @Arierep: It is available in stock in a few online shops now, we'll send you a link.
  • 7 0
 Why is it so godamn hard for manufacturers to mark the shaft or stanchion with few little lin3s??
  • 40 0
 I might be wrong but I think Rockshox patented it
  • 4 0
 @crashtor: they did
  • 3 2
 It does not work for coil, since you have a bumper. You can easily measure sag, but how much travel you used during riding is a different story.
  • 3 0
 @lkubica: A dab of grease on the shaft, shows how much was used, until you get to the bumper. How much one is compressing the bumper, can't be seen. Any tricks for this? A very rough estimate can be made from how large a grease spot the bumper leaves on the face of shock.
  • 7 0
 @kcy4130: And exactly this is the problem this tool solves. It is the cleanest way ever to see how much tralev was used on a coil fork.
  • 3 0
 @lkubica: Or get a pack of those small colored rubber bands for making bracelets or smthing and put one on the shaft, ghetto, but it works Smile
  • 1 1
 @crashtor: do you know why they dont use it on their coil shocks?
  • 3 0
 @oatkinso: I have a Super Deluxe coil and there are sag marks on the shaft.
  • 3 0
 @crashtor: I always wondered why Fox didn't do this on their products! Didn't think the idea was unique enough to be protected by patent law (although i don't actually know anything about patent law).
  • 4 1
 I really like Reverse components, its one of my favourite bike brand because of reasonable prices, nice design, full colors and weight. I love those well designed brake disc adapters, stems, seatpost and trigger clamps, have them on all my bike builds and wanted to buy Carbon Seismic handlebar in Fox orange but it was unavailable for a few months in all big e-shops in Europe, so i bought different one. It would be nice if there were more of those on the market for next season, i will need them for my other bike. Keep up the good work Reverse Components!
  • 4 0
 That single speed conversion kit for a bike park bike is a sweet idea. I remember spending almost half a summer in Whistler going chainless because I couldn't afford to keep replacing my derailer.
  • 3 0
 Reverse is the brand for a big OEM, right? Lots of their stuff is very similar to other offerings. The chainguide is very Oneup, they make a dropper remote that is basically a Bikeyoke Triggy, etc... there are other examples. It's not a case of same function, similar form, it's the same industrial design because I think Reverse actually makes a lot of this stuff for others.

Different thought - I use a Problem Solvers version of that headset spacer clamp on a couple bikes, it's really nice for tweaking set up/fit, you can swap your stem or add spacers without worrying about your headset coming loose. I also use those Scorpion crank spindle stands for storage and light maintenance, if you take your stem off and the headset top cap lets go, the bike can pivot around the bottom bracket but leave the fork behind, pulling your steerer most of the way out of the head tube, which is annoying.
  • 2 13
flag JohSch (Nov 18, 2020 at 5:45) (Below Threshold)
 They all buy catalog parts from the same chinese manufactures and stamp their logos on.
  • 15 1
 @JohSch: Our products are designed here in-house Germany and manufactured in both Germany and Taiwan.
  • 2 0
 @ReverseComponents: Some might be Wink But Reverse Escape is just a Wellgo 117 pedal, OneUp, Nukeproof-Chainguides and a few others all look the same like their chinese counterparts found on Ali and the list goes on.

But nice that your chainguide f.ex. isn´t as overpriced as MRPs or others. Good!
  • 3 0
 I don't understand the angle spacer. If you're going to intentionally slack your bike out by raising the BB and adding 10mm to your stack, why wouldn't you just bump your fork travel up by 10mm? Your average home mechanic can't remove a crown race properly anyway (unless it's a split race) so you may as well just go for the longer fork option and get the added benefit of more travel.
  • 4 1
 Not all forks can have their travel extended, new forks are expensive, and for xc oriented forks increasing the travel decreases their rigidity.
  • 2 4
 @phops:
With the exception of something that's already maxed the travel (most stock bikes don't use the max available travel) pretty much every fork on the market is travel adjustable.
  • 6 0
 ouuh yes. XD driver singlespeed !!
  • 6 0
 Start making the solid strike dh bike again please.
  • 2 0
 That angle spacer is pretty good idea, so simple. Nice. On the other hand it will raise the bb a bit and you gotta have some extra steerer length to fit it I guess. But I really like the simplicity of it. Pricing seems to be fair.
  • 3 1
 Love companies like this that make the stuff you’d normally have to make yourself with spare parts and make them look bling at a reasonable price. Definitely getting an extended crown race to raise my bar hight ten 10mm. Awesome idea that should work well with offset bushings.
  • 2 0
 I'm glad I managed to snatch the first version of the Black One stem at the last moment possible. I like the CNC Alu with Gloss finish a lot more, than the forged matte finish. That titanium version looks pretty sweet tho, it's even priced pretty neatly (it's the same price, that the first Alu-cnc version was)
  • 2 0
 They all look great. I can't help but think if I wanted to raise my front end by 10mm to slacken the head angle 0.5° I'd go for a 10mm longer airshaft and have the benefit of more travel too.
  • 3 0
 Yup that's why I ride 140/170. The long fork makes my older bike have reduced head angle...its a DVO so super plush initially and tuned so the last 10 or 15mm is rarely used. I was getting lots of pedal strikes and the bigger fork helped that too
  • 4 0
 Well thought out products, sensible pricing. I like it!
  • 3 0
 Liking this stuff guys, the stem with the shim is a useful idea.The polished one looks great.
  • 4 0
 Im digging the XD/Single speed kit! Very smart!
  • 2 0
 @ReverseComponents like the sag meter. Have you guys tested if it fits on Santa Cruz bikes with the tunnel for the shock eg Nomads by any chance?
  • 1 0
 Hey there, not yet, we will check this soon and make a compatibility list so riders know what bikes/shocks it works for!
  • 2 0
 The singlespeed converter kits for standard freehubs are great. Gonna get one for a new DJ bike I've started putting together.
  • 3 0
 Well thought out products at an affordable price point. I can see myself supporting them.
  • 4 0
 Wasnt Reverse a part of Solid who did beefy DH frames in the mid 2000's?
  • 5 0
 Yes thats us. Smile
  • 3 0
 Could you use the sag indicator while riding, to get an idea of travel used?
  • 2 0
 you can keep that stuff on while riding around. otherwise it would only be a static sag indicator. but is implied to also tell you about your actual usage of suspesnion.
  • 5 0
 Yes for sure, it's designed for that purpose also.
  • 3 0
 Liking the stuff here and it’s not breaking the bank like most brands would.
  • 3 0
 @ReverseComponents THANK YOU for making some great hardware that will really improve the bike at a very reasonable cost Smile
  • 2 0
 Like the idea head tube spacer, however for traveling I typically remove bar, not stem;
So i would assume this is good only for one up stem combo
  • 1 0
 Caution to anyone using an angle spacer.. used a identical product and it punched right throw my lower headset cup within the first few hours of riding. Don't use these if you plan to having bike impacts on the bike.
  • 1 0
 @ReverseComponents is this a thing? Is the tapered angle spacer ok for bike park use?
  • 1 0
 @bigbrett: By the sounds of his message, we think the guy above was not using a Reverse Angle Spacer. We have not had any reports of this!
  • 1 0
 They could of put a piece of adjustable Velcro on the part where the cable tie sits for the sag adjuster. Everytime you have to put a new one on,that’s not very clever innovation.
  • 3 0
 @ReverseComponents what are those cranks?
  • 3 0
 This is our team rider mad @Maxkruse159's bike, we will find out for you!
  • 3 0
 Everything here is sick, and I can actually afford it!!
  • 2 0
 @reversecomponents what's stack height on that stem I've only got about 45mm of stem and spacers to play with?
  • 1 0
 Hey there, the stack height of the D-2 stem is 40mm.
  • 2 0
 Just tried to order the stem and spacers but no luck navigating the website.
  • 3 0
 That steerer tube clamp is so genius!
  • 1 0
 Yeah so simple yet so smart.
  • 2 0
 Great to see some innovative bike products for a decent price nowadays, well played Reverse!
  • 2 0
 My goodness!!!!! A german company not making over expensive poo?? How did this happen? Modern mystery for sure.
  • 3 0
 These are actually really cool products and they arent that expensive.
  • 4 0
 Bike looks sick!
  • 2 0
 Wow, the prices are amazing! I was expecting at least twice as much, judging from the usual bloated bike industry prices.
  • 1 0
 I have a strong and sudden need for one of those angle spacers, but I can't find it in stock anywhere in standard tapered steerer version.

Any idea why @ReverseComponents ?
  • 2 0
 Hey there, we should have some new stock ready in the next few weeks, they sold out unfortunately. We'll make a post on Insta/Facebook when they're back in!
  • 2 0
 How not love all this well minded and manufactured parts?...hard do not do it!
  • 2 0
 That steerer clamp is pure genius!
  • 1 0
 The sag Indicator did not work for the YT Tues... Ther ist no space to add the device.
  • 3 0
 Cool stuff.
  • 2 0
 @ReverseComponents - any plans for a Microspline single speed adapter?
  • 3 0
 Hi @IanJF , good idea. If there is demand we will make one for sure.
  • 3 0
 @ReverseComponents: I need one! I already asked Problem Solvers...
  • 2 0
 @ReverseComponents: I am interested. My XC hardtail is Shimano equiped, I'd like to be able to swap to SS setup for some rides without swapping wheels.
  • 2 0
 Simple ideas well executed, gotta love that
  • 2 0
 @ReverseComponents any plans to make a 50mm stem please?
  • 2 0
 Hey @Blackers - Yes, the current Black One stem is available in 50mm and the D-2 stem range will soon include 50mm versions also.
  • 2 3
 That's great marketing right there. Take a standard 28.6MM seatpost clamp. Put it on the steerer tube and market it as a headset spacer with extra headset holding security. Etch "Steerer Clamp" on it. Brilliant!
  • 2 0
 Loving that single speed...
  • 2 0
 That Max Kruse Nicolai is a baddie
  • 2 0
 That tensioner and the front guide look great.
  • 1 0
 how does the sag indicator work with different stroke lengths and travel? @ReverseComponents
  • 1 0
 Yes it can work with all stroke lengths and travels.
  • 2 0
 I'm impressed the cost is actually reasonable for these
  • 2 0
 Gorgeous stem
  • 1 0
 Anyone know if that chain tensioner has a clutch in it?
  • 1 0
 Also, why is it limited to a max 17t cog? Fine for park riding but that's limiting for trail riding... I'm guessing there's no b-tension adjustment?
  • 1 0
 Hey @thegoodflow , this tensioner has no clutch but very strong tension - designed more for the park / gravity rider.
  • 1 0
 Pff nobody on coils sets their sag come on.
  • 2 1
 You're genius!!!!
  • 2 3
 "Needing preload" is not something I would say.
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