Review: Reeb Sqweeb V2 SFP
Originally posted on November 7, 2019 at 0:13 amAs the Reeb Sqeeb V2 rolled up to my art studio, the aptly-named “Illusion Blue” paint job and sparkling silver accents made me nostalgic for my childhood days playing with Hot Wheels race cars in the driveway. As a craftsman myself, it’s heartening to know that I can roll into Longmont, Colorado, and shoot the shit with the designer, machinist, and welder behind the Sqweeb. Without a doubt, some quality welds are happening overseas, but I have to give a deserving nod of respect to the grace of the Sqweeb’s well-fed swooping nightcrawlers linking the aluminum tubes of the frame.
THE BIKE
The glossy blue 29er frame is complimented nicely by a well-curated build kit consisting of a 160 mm Cane Creek Helm fork mated to a 145 mm trunion-mount metric Cane Creek DB coil shock. Rolling duties go to Industry Nine Enduro rims laced to the company’s premier Hydra hubs, and a color-matching i9 A35 stem and SRAM Eagle X01 drivetrain round out the build. The Sqweeb is available as a frame only (no shock) for $2,200, with select MRP or Cane Creek shock options for $2,800 and in three complete builds ranging from $4,400 to our SFP model at $6,500.
THE RIDE
Similar to any American-made muscle car, the Reeb Squeeb is not for the faint of heart. On paper, the bike seems like a standard trail bike, but that’s no ordinary V8 under the hood; it’s a supercharged V8, and the Sqweeb performs much more like an all-mountain big hitter than an agile trail ripper.
Climbing is not the Sqweeb’s strength, especially compared to other 140-ish travel bikes. When winching up smooth steep climbs and switchbacks, the front end wandered all over the trail like a nervous squirrel, though the coil shock’s climb switch did minimize pedal bob. However, when the climbs turned technical and required aggressive riding, the platform helped to deliver gobs of traction and support for trials-like moves on the hog-sized chunk.
On the other hand, once the front wheel is pointed down, keep your fingers off the brakes and get that seat out of the way. Once up to speed, the Sqweeb is quite well-balanced. The bike instilled florid delusions of confidence on some of my favorite downhill runs in the mountains and bike parks. The Sqweeb felt like it carried its 34-pound weight low, which helped to maintain composure at high speeds and ripping through corners. The Horst-link suspension platform easily mowed through East Coast chunder with ease while the CCDB coil lent consistency and sufficient support.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Taking on demanding trails and maintaining an active riding style, the Reeb Sqweeb is an impressive all-mountain brawler. For someone who prefers shuttling to the top and blasting to the bottom of the mountain with a scofflaw’s manners, the Sqweeb will keep you smiling from ear to ear. If you’re a rider who is equally excited for the long climbs or who often rides tamer trails, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
Words by A.J. Collins | Photos by Brett Rothmeyer
Reeb Sqweeb SFP (V2)
Price: $6,500
Sizes: S, M, L (tested), XL
Online: reebcycles.com
As of November 5th, Reeb has announced version 3 of the Sqweeb. For MY2020 the bike utilizes a modular shock mount allowing the frame to be configured as 130 mm travel or 150 mm travel without changing rear end geometry. Check out the new short travel & long travel Sqweeb here.
Tester: A.J. Collins
Age: 42
Weight: 170 lbs.
Height: 5’ 11”
Bio
Former racer and perpetual crasher, A. J. Collins now runs Jowdy Studio, making one-of-a-kind modernist ceramics that enliven interiors. @jowdystudio