Deviate Cycles has launched the Highlander II, the second one iteration in their high-pivot path motorcycle now boasting 145mm of rear wheel trip. Still a devoted 29er, the Highlander II will get a modernized geometry and an expanded dimension vary, whilst retaining onto all of the maintenance-friendly options that make this Deviate… neatly, a Deviate.

Deviant Highlander II
Seemingly relatively proud of their preliminary providing, Scottish logo, Deviate Cycles, hasn’t made any primary adjustments with the Highlander II; it nonetheless runs their excessive linkage-driven unmarried pivot suspension platform, turning in a rear axle trail that arcs solely rearward throughout the compression stroke.




- Bike: Deviate Highlander II
- Fork Travel: 160mm
- Rear Wheel Travel: 145mm
- Frame Material: Carbon
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Sizing: S, M, L & XL
- Starting Price: £3,120 GBP / $3,600 USD (body with out surprise)








With that distinctive suspension platform, the unique Deviate Highlander of 2020 used to be, in some ways, forward of its time. A hyperlink pivoting concentric to the ground bracket is attached to the swingarm by means of some other hyperlink that still drives the rear surprise, whilst the primary pivot sits excessive at the seat tube. An loafer pulley routes the chain line as regards to the primary pivot to reduce chain expansion and its related unwanted results on suspension efficiency.
Launched with 140mm of rear wheel trip, the later availability of an o.e.m hyperlink allowed riders to spice up that to 150mm. The Highlander II introduced lately settles at 145mm, with a geometry extra carefully matched to the unique body’s 150mm configuration,








Geometry adjustments are refined, however vital relating to modernizing the are compatible; While the pinnacle tube perspective stays at 65°, the seat tube steepens via two levels to 77°, and the achieve elongates via 10mm to 490mm in a dimension huge. Combining that with an unchanged chainstay period of 441mm will give you a wheelbase this is round 20mm longer than that of the predecessor.








Good information for shorter riders; Deviate now gives the Highlander II in a Small, bringing a complete dimension vary to shoppers for the primary time within the logo’s historical past. Reach stretches from 430mm to 510mm over the S-XL vary. All sizes run the exact same swingarm to provide a constant 441mm rear-centre period.
Seat tubes stay impressively brief at 430mm at the dimension huge, and are immediately and uninterrupted to permit for the fitment of lengthy trip dropper seat posts. Also notable is the a lot decrease standover delivered via the entrance triangle’s new form, now at 685mm at the dimension huge, down from 731mm.




Highlander II Kinematic
The suspension kinematic of the Highlander II gives up no actual surprises. The quite innovative leverage curve is alleged to paintings neatly with each air and coil shocks, although a minimum of to start with, the body might be presented with an Ohlins TTX2 Air surprise handiest.








The Highlander II chainstay period is quoted as 431mm, however it is value stating that this quantity relates to the motorcycle in its unloaded state, after all. The Highlander II grows its efficient rear-centre period as it’s driven throughout the compression stroke, expanding via a whopping 23mm at 145mm. Such an axle trail is very good at turning in rear wheel forces right into a suspension linkage the place they are able to be maximum successfully damped via the rear surprise.




An anti-rise of round 130-135% signifies the suspension will compress below heavy rear braking, which is able to concomitantly extend the wheelbase to offer balance in such eventualities. Anti-squat stays quite constant all the way through the adventure; maximum related on the sag level, it sits at simply over 120%, indicating the surprise will prolong below pedaling-induced accelerations, a function that would lend a hand supply traction on steep, technical climbs.
Highlander II Frame Details
just like the 165mm Claymore enduro motorcycle, the Highlander II advantages from double-row, angular touch max fill bearings. These are safe with twin-lip wiper seals at each unmarried body pivot, and at the bearing that the loafer pulley sits on. All of those additionally function grease ports, permitting the landlord to refresh grease within the bearings with none disassembly required. Deviate sells a Dualco Grease Gun that has a changed nozzle form to make grease port get entry to more uncomplicated.








Deviate claims their 18T loafer pulley is totally silent; a daring declare, as we’re but to come back throughout one but. The motorcycle calls for a 126 hyperlink chain, so the becoming a member of of chains is not essential on this case.
The Scottish logo takes an strange solution to cable control. Internal routing is supplied for a dropper publish, however the rear brake hose and power cable are routed externally, guided via tabs working down the bottom of the highest tube. Both then input the swingarm, and are guided internally thereafter.
- Boost 148mm
- 52mm chainline
- 2.6″ Tire Clearance
- Max Rear Rotor: 203mm
- Max Chainring Size: 34T
- Threaded BB
- ISCG Tabs for Bash Guard Fitment
- 2 x Accessory Mounting Points
- Space for Water Bottle within Front Triangle
- Proprietary derailleur hanger
SRAM UDH compatibility is below building, with a brand new 55mm chainline swingarm due for liberate via the tip of the 12 months.




Pricing & Availability
Pricing of the Deviate Highlander II begins at £3,120 GBP (incl. VAT) / $3,600.00 USD / €3.600 EUR (incl. VAT) / $4250 CAD with out a surprise. That contains unfastened delivery international. The body is offered with a life-time guaranty and a crash/harm alternative coverage.
A body with an Ohlins TTX2 Air Shock retails on the following costs:
- USA: $4,000 USD
- Canada: $5,000 CAD
- EU: €4,320 EUR together with VAT
- UK: £3,720 GBP together with VAT
Complete construct choices are deliberate for August, with the Ohlins, OneUp, Shimano XT elements proven right here. Pricing might be as follows:
- USA: $8,500 USD
- Canada: $10,250 CAD
- EU: €7,920 EUR together with VAT
- UK: £7,050 GBP together with VAT
Only M, L & XL frames are to be had at release, with S frames to practice in July.
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