Tout Terrain Launches Catalina: A New Era for Mountain Biking
German bike brand Tout Terrain has unveiled the Catalina, its first derailleur-driven mountain bike, designed for both trail riding and bikepacking. Priced at $4,099, this steel 29er hardtail features 120mm of fork travel and is aimed at everyday trail riders, marking a significant shift from the brand's previous Pinion-equipped models.
Tout Terrain, a German bike brand recognized for its Pinion gearbox-equipped touring and bikepacking bikes, has introduced the Catalina, its first derailleur-driven mountain bike. This new model is a steel 29er hardtail equipped with 120mm of fork travel, designed to excel in both after-work trail laps and multi-day bikepacking adventures.
The Catalina represents a significant milestone for Tout Terrain, being their inaugural derailleur-based 29er and the first model available as a standalone frame kit. Initially teased at the Sea Otter Classic, the bike is named after the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, known for their challenging rocky singletrack and the AZT800 bikepacking route.
Previously, the Outback Xplore was Tout Terrain's primary mountain bike offering. The Catalina is positioned as a more trail-oriented option, featuring shorter chainstays and compatibility for longer-travel dropper posts. At launch, the Catalina is available in a single complete build, the Select 7.1, priced at $4,099 in the US and €3,199 in Europe, which is considerably less than the Outback Xplore II 29, starting at $5,350. The switch from a Pinion gearbox to a standard drivetrain contributes to this price difference, with plans for additional Select builds later this year.
The Select 7.1 build caters to everyday trail riders, featuring a 120mm suspension fork, a 150mm dropper post, and 2.4" tires. For those interested in customization, frame-only options start at $1,625 / €1,300, with preorders expected to ship before the end of the year.
Design Features for Bikepacking Enthusiasts
Constructed from CrMo 4130 steel tubing, the Catalina frame is designed with bikepacking in mind, offering multiple mounting points and a spacious main triangle for a frame bag and extra bottle cages. Additionally, it features a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) dropout and a steering stop to prevent bar-on-frame impacts during crashes. The frame accommodates 29er tires up to 2.6" wide or 27.5x3.0.
Equipment Innovations
Tout Terrain markets the Catalina as a bike that is ready for both trails and bikepacking. While its 67° head tube angle is slightly slacker than the Outback's 68°, this is contingent upon the fork used. The Outback can also be equipped with a 120mm suspension fork, which would adjust its head angle closer to that of the Catalina. The Catalina's chainstays measure 438mm, which is 24mm shorter than the Outback's 462mm, enhancing its playful handling and making it easier to maneuver through tight corners.
The Catalina also features shorter seat tubes, allowing for longer dropper posts, and longer reaches across the size spectrum. Both models share a 65mm bottom bracket drop and nearly identical seat tube angles, but the Catalina's drivetrain shift to a Shimano derailleur from the previous Pinion gearbox and its lower price point make it a compelling option for riders who may not consider a high-end bikepacking bike priced over $5,000. With a complete build priced just above $4,000 or a custom-painted frame starting at $1,625, the Catalina enters a competitive market of premium steel hardtails, incorporating essential bikepacking features.
