TRAIL
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take to the trail These 20 trail bikes are lighter, faster and more versatile than ever
WITH MORE THAN a hundred miles of singletrack in the Whistler Valley, we knew there was plenty of suitable terrain to test trail bikes. We mapped out a 2.6-mile-long circuit in the Lost Lake network that, after a week of riding, many of us will never forget. After a brief warm-up on a crushed-gravel path, the route dipped into Gypsy Drum and then segued into Dinah Moe Humm, Disco Boy, The Torture Never Stops, Fountain of Love, Pinocchio’s Furniture, White Gold Traverse, backward on Dinah Moe Humm, and finished on Peaches en Regalia. The whole loop took about 20 minutes and offered a little bit of everything—flowing wooden bridges, a few technical rocky cruxes, a couple of spots to get some air under the tires and one nasty little climb on White Gold Traverse that we all came to loathe by the end of the week. Once we had the course dialed, we could tune into exactly how the bike was performing. Seated climbing in the rough? Check. With ProPedal off? Hmm, is that pedal feedback? How about hammering out of the saddle through this rocky gap? Not bad. How’s the geometry feel? What’s that squeaking sound? I wonder if there are any Oreos left back at the tent…Aw hell, here comes that climb again. The differences in how each bike handled began to jump out at us, and by the end of the week we logged more than 300 miles in 2.6-mile bursts aboard 20 trail bikes. Here’s how they fared. RYAN LABAR FINDS HIS FLOW ON FOUNTAIN OF LOVE WHILE bikemag.com RIDING SANTA CRUZ ’S TALLBOY. PHOTO: COLIN MEAGHER
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trail Yeti AS-R 5 Carbon Race Price $4,500; frame with shock $2,450 Price Range $2,850–$5,600 Weight 25.1 lbs; frame with RP23 4.75 lbs Component Highlights Full-complement XT components, 142x12-millimeter dropouts, Fox F-120 with tapered steerer tube Bottom Line One part rocket, one part gunship, this is Yeti’s best trail bike yet
The all-new AS-R 5 falls into the Yeti lineup between the 5.75-inch-travel 575, Yeti’s stalwart allmountain rig, and the AS-R Carbon, a ridiculously fast 4-inch XC/marathon bike. As expected, it is a blend of its two siblings—but there’s nothing middling or average about how this bike rides. One could reasonably expect that the ASR’s full-carbon, 4.75-pound frame would corner like a wet noodle, but it didn’t. Instead, the snappy-but-solid chassis shredded singletrack. Credit goes to the smart carbon lay-up, a beautifully tapered headtube and the new 142 x 12 rear through-axle (adapters are available to run standard 135-millimeter rear hubs, too). And the combination of a long toptube/short stem with a low bottom bracket created a bike that’s just plain fun to ride. The AS-R’s 5 inches of travel are controlled by a 2-inch-stroke Fox RP23. The bike has a firm mid-stroke built into its modified single-pivot
linkage that allows riders to drop the hammer without reaching for the ProPedal switch. True to Yeti’s well-known love affair with Fox and Shimano, the AS-R 5 comes with Fox suspension and a mostly XT kit. The 120-millimeter Fox F-Series RLC was plush and lively and a nice complement to the bike’s 68-degree head angle. This AS-R is a nimble climber and the front wheel didn’t wander. It descended confi-
dently and comfortably, too. The DT Swiss CenterLock X-1800 wheels use a 142-millimeter-wide hub with DT’s RWS quickrelease 12-millimeter solid-axle system. They spun up to speed quickly and held their line in corners. Most testers thought the 6-inch front rotor felt undersized, and some were drooling at the thought of installing a longer, travel-adjust fork that would really let the AS-R 5 run wild.
smoothly and flawlessly in both its travel settings. Beyond the exemplary and, yes, proprietary carbon chassis (non-Big Red S forks require adapters to work), Specialized exorcized any potential detaildevils with a stellar parts pick. Avid Elixir CR Mag brakes not only came with 203-millimeter rotors up front on our large test bike, but small and mediumsized bikes thoughtfully come with smaller rotors. An extra gold star goes to Specialized for getting Avid to add knurled reach-adjust knobs, negating
the need for an extra tool. Additionally, this was the only trail bike to spec a larger front tire (an S-Works Purgatory 2.2-inch) than rear tire (a 2.0-inch Captain Control). Rounding out the package was a set of Specialized house-brand Roval Control wheels, which flexed slightly, but not as much as we expected given their low spoke count. One tester was left impressed with the wheels even after tweaking one in an ill-negotiated corner.
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro Carbon Price $5,500; frame with shock $2,800 Price Range $2,200–$7,700 Weight 25.9 lbs; frame with shock 5 lbs Component Highlights Avid Elixir CR brakes, Future Shock fork, AFR Brain Shock Bottom Line Whippy and snippy, this exceedingly well-appointed 25.9-pound trail bike absolutely slays singletrack
This 140-millimeter trail bike was to our test track what a samurai sword is to a watermelon. Like those fabled Japanese blades, the chassis flexed just so, but lay it down on its cutting edge—the axis that matters—and this bike does not mess around. Kudos goes to the AFR Brain Shock, now manufactured by Fox, which combined hardtail sprintability with intuitively available suspension as conditions warranted. Blasting down a chattery rock garden into a sweeping corner, the bike would suck up the rough stuff until, given a moment of smoother terrain, the Brain Shock precisely packed up, firing the rider out of the corner. The bike’s Specialized-made Future Shock S140TA fork, however, arrived D.O.A.; it worked fine in its 115-millimeter setting, but had a harsh lock-up at the top of its 140-millimeter setting. The good news is that the replacement fork performed 054 I
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*All bikes throughout this issue were weighed with a Park Tool DS-1 digital scale, and reflect the as-seen, as-tested weight, without pedals.
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Santa Cruz Tallboy Price $4,700 Price Range $3,890–$6,135 Weight 25.9 lbs Component Highlights Chub front hub, Fox F29 RLC fork, Thomson seatpost Bottom Line A snappy bike with massive tire clearance that converted more than one 29er naysayer
The Santa Cruz Tallboy blew holes in the standard criticisms of 29-inch wheels. It sprinted up climbs. It railed steep, technical descents. It cornered. And it felt well balanced, even for shorter riders. The bike refused to wander, spin out or bob on even the steepest climbs riddled with roots and rocks. The 73-degree seat-tube angle made pedaling efficient and easy on the knees. And at just over 26 pounds with pedals, the Tallboy is worthy of most racecourses. The low-slung, 12.8-inch-high bottom bracket positioned the rider low, seemingly between the axles—ideal for carving corners. While many carbon and full-squish bikes suffer from tire-size limitations, the Tallboy accommodated 2.4-inch Maxxis Ardents with room to spare. The efficiency of the Virtual Pivot Point suspension, combined with the roll-over-anything characteristics of 29-inch wheels, was a match made in
heaven, and the combination ameliorated one of the few persistent gripes about 26-inch VPP setups: small-bump compliance. The Tallboy delivered a magic carpet ride while pedaling through sections of trail littered with small rocks and roots. Even though the bike only has 100 millimeters of travel, it descended through rough terrain without hesitation. The suspension was active and kept the wheels locked to the ground, but the bike’s relatively short travel made it ultra-
snappy and easy to launch over rocky sections— though the 17.5-inch chainstays made it just a hair harder to manual than other bikes. The neutral-for-a-big-wheeler 71-degree headtube angle only felt too steep on gnarly rock rolls, but even then, the big-diameter wheels and low center of gravity kept the confidence level high. The Tallboy is capable of tackling absolute gnar, comfortable enough for all-day slogs and light enough to race.
Any rear shock absorbs big and small hits, but the Altitude’s carbon frame helped dampen tiny vibrations and smooth trail chatter, offering a fluid ride that was eerily quiet. The descents were flawless, too—aside from a slightly steep head angle that left a few testers fantasizing about installing a longer-travel TALAS 36. On some fireroad and pavement climbs, the Altitude needed a little extra Pro-Pedal to stay steady,
but Rocky’s SmoothLink suspension really is tuned for the rough stuff. Bumpy climbs unraveled smoothly under the Altitude, and it felt like every last drop of power made it to the rear wheel. This bike felt right at home on Whistler’s rugged trails. It was burly, fun and flickable, but also proved to be an efficient pedaler that offered allday comfort. In fact, we liked it so much that we sent it back a little late.
Rocky Mountain Altitude 70RSL Price $5,000 Price Range $2,500–$7,000 Weight 27.3 lbs Component Highlights DT Swiss hubs, Stan’s rims, Elixir CR brakes Bottom Line The perfect all-day bike that makes great use of carbon fiber technology
Carbon too often gets stigmatized as a feature aimed at the gram-counters. But choosing carbon just because it’s light is like watching Seinfeld just for Kramer. Light is good, but carbon has a ride quality that’s hard to beat. So Rocky Mountain offers a carbon version of the Altitude, which just happens to save about a pound compared to an aluminum frame. But the frame is meant to last. The downtube is reinforced and angled to deflect rocks, and the frame joints and pivots are massive. It might be made of carbon, but the Altitude still tipped the scales at more than 27 pounds. The components were solid, too, save for a rather unusual carbon fiber integrated seatpost quick release and some underpowered tires and rotors—the Altitude definitely deserves big tires and rotors. This truly is a stiff, burly bike that inspires a lot of confidence and rails like much heavier bikes. But its best quality was something less tangible. PHOTOS: MORGAN MEREDITH
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trail ED
➲MOST IMPROV
$5,170, range $4,165–$6,960 \ 25.9 lbs
Titus FTM Component Highlights FSA Afterburner cranks, Magura Marta brakes, Crank Brothers Cobalt wheels
The redesigned FTM (Full-Tilt Moto) benefits from a few important changes this year. The new bike has a lower, 13.25-inch-high bottom bracket and a more linear, supple feel. It is also available with a full-carbon frame, shedding about a quarter of a pound. Thanks to a Horst-Link rear suspension, the FTM pedals well, even while standing. It is capable of rocketing through rough terrain, yet is nimble enough to slice through woodsy singletrack. What’s not to love? At $5,170, it’s expensive. Also, after a few rides, the FTM developed some play in the drive-side pivot due to a mis-spec’d bolt. It was a critical failure, but this was one of the very first FTM’s produced and the simple production snafu has been remedied. Overall, the carbon version marks a smart improvement over last year’s bike. Bottom Line Light, stiff and ridiculously fun
Niner R.I.P. 9 Component Highlights Niner Flat Top 9 bar, replaceable dropouts with through-axle capability
It seemed our test track was made for 29-inch wheels— rough climbs, rougher descents, though not too steep. Niner’s floating-pivot CVA linkage seemingly smoothed rough climbs in buckets of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. It rolled over rough terrain like a mini monster truck. And despite the R.I.P. 9’s longer chainstays and higher front end, steeper climbs felt natural. The bike’s 71.5-degree head angle, however, limited its downhill performance—at higher speeds or steep terrain, the front end got temperamental. The ride was still more robust than that of any other 29er in the category, though the bike’s extra beef added weight. Still, lighter riders were able to point and shoot their way through rock gardens, and the heaver ones felt it stood up well to being tossed around like a 26-inch bike. Sold as a frame only for $1,900 \ 7.4 lbs with shock and headset
RFORMER
➲SURPRISE PE
$5,300, range $1,920–$6,200 \ 26.4 lbs
Bottom Line Monster-truck climbing with efficient, active suspension
Cannondale RZ One Forty Carbon 2 Component Highlights Elixir CR brakes, Mavic X-Trail wheels, BB30 FSA Afterburner cranks
Cannondale’s RZ One Forty starts with a forged aluminum spinal column that includes the bottom bracket, pivot and seat-tube. The rest of the front triangle and seatstays are carbon fiber. Stomping on the bike’s BB30 FSA Afterburner cranks, however, didn’t yield the flex one would expect from a 26-pound bike. Instead, this thing accelerated like a scalded squirrel. Another suprise: the Lefty Max RLC uses a coil spring. A coil spring on a lightweight trail bike? Indeed. The fork proved smooth and supple on rough descents. More than one tester, however, complained that without a travel-adjust feature, the front end wandered on steep climbs. This bike’s modified single-pivot design bobbed under hard pedaling, but that was tamed by the RP23’s ProPedal. Somewhat unconventional, this bike overwhelmingly exceeded our expectations. Bottom Line Light, and ready for all-day affairs
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trail Intense Tracer Component Highlights Fox 32 TALAS RLC 15QR, XT shifters and derailleurs
Two very different beasts lurk in this bright red machine. The Intense Tracer’s two shock mounts offer 5.5 or 6 inches of rear-wheel travel. In the shorter-travel mode, the Tracer’s headtube angle sits at 69 degrees, and the seattube angle is a pedal-friendly 73 degrees. The aggressive geometry, coupled with the efficient VPP suspension, made the bike climb like a coked-up spider monkey, and it was quite nimble in slower-to-medium-speed technical rock gardens. At speed and in steep downhill sections, the bike felt a bit nervous, although the Tracer’s suspension soaked up everything admirably. In its longer-travel mode, the Tracer slackens to 67.5and 71.5-degree head and seat angles, respectively, and the bike charged though technical terrain. Regardless of setting, the Tracer was one of our favorites. $4,250, range $3,700–$5,100 \ 28.8 lbs
Bottom Line An efficient and stiff made-in-theUSA trail bike
Kona Abra Cadabra Component Highlights XT cranks and wheels, Shimano SLX shifters and brakes, Fox 32 Float RL
$3,700, range $2,800–$3,700 \ 27.4 lbs
After introducing the “Magic Link” last season, Kona lightened it, refined it and spun off a shorter, 4-to-6.7inch-travel platform this year called the Abra Cadabra. Chain force helps keep the bike’s geometry and travel in the shorter and steeper climbing mode, and obstacles and rider weight help nudge it toward the more aggressive downhill mode. It works well, especially on climbs. The Abra Cadabra absolutely smothered small bumps with its active suspension. It descended capably, too. But it wasn’t all magic. Every so often, while hitting the gas in a technical section, the bike would deliver a steeper, shorter-travel bike than conditions warranted. The more we rode the Abra Cadabra, however, the more we liked it. The frame is significantly stiffer than its predecessor, and the concept offers a great advantage for riders seeking a bike that does everything. Bottom Line One of the most versatile bikes tested
Scott Genius 30 Component Highlights SLX cranks, Fox 32 150 TALAS RL, Equalizer 2 TC shock
$4,000, range $2,000–$9,000 \ 27.6 lbs
With an angular carbon fiber frame and exotic twin-chamber pull-shock, there’s no doubt that the Genius 30 is a unique bike. In full-travel mode, it has 150 millimeters of travel, a 67.7-degree headtube angle, and a 12.5-inch-high bottom bracket. Flick the TwinLock lever into Traction Mode, however, and the rear shock transitions into its 90-millimeter mode, the bottom bracket rises to 12.9 inches and the front end steepens to 68.4 degrees. Full lockout mode locks out the fork and the rear shock simultaneously. Shock setup was tedious, but the bike proved plush and responsive, with each of its three travel modes working as advertised. Plus, considering the $9,000 price tag of the top-shelf Genius, our testers appreciated the trickle-down technology that makes this sensible SLX model a screaming value. Bottom Line Lightweight and highly adjustable
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trail IN CLASS
$2,725, range $1,425–$6,800 \ 27.6 lbs
Giant Trance X2 Component Highlights Fox 32 F120 RL 15QR; SLX cranks
Most of the bikes tested in this category were priced above $3,000, but we almost unanimously agreed that the substantially less-expensive Trance X2 rocked. Giant’s Maestro suspension remained stable while pedaling, and was active while climbing and descending. The rear end stayed glued to rough terrain and absorbed obstacles with little complaint. However, riders weighing more than 200 pounds had a hard time setting up the suspension due to the shock’s short stroke length. The geometry felt balanced, though, and this bike begged to descend. Bottom Line A sweet ride that still leaves plenty of beer money
Felt Virtue 2 Component Highlights RockShox Recon SoloAir fork, Elixir R brakes
The Virtue 2 offers an impressive frame and suspension design. The front triangle sports double-butted, hydroformed aluminum tubes, with a carbon-fiber rear end providing 130 millimeters of travel. The $2,500 Virtue 2 felt as smooth and supple as some bikes that cost thousands more, though it was slowed by the Felt TAR tires and heavy wheels. Swapping to Panaracer Rampage tires and lightweight Mavic Crossmax ST wheels brought the bike to life. The suspension firmed slightly on braking bumps, but the bike accelerated up climbs and tracked confidently on the descents. $2,500, range $1,800–$4,399 \ 27.8 lbs
Bottom Line Great chassis for the price; underrated suspension
Turner Sultan Component Highlights DW-Link rear end, RP23
Frame and shock $2,395 \ 28.9 lbs, 6.6 lbs frame and shock
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The Sultan features a low 31-inch standover height, a 13.4-inch-high bottom bracket and a ripping attitude. The suspension was active and did a great job in the middle ring, but testers noted pedal feedback in the granny gear. Our 28.9-pound frame-up build performed well on technical climbs, but it was even more impressive while descending—combining the DW-Link with larger wheels allowed the bike to carry momentum through technical sections. The steep 73-degree seat angle and low bottom bracket, made it easy to control through rough terrain, and especially in corners. Bottom Line An extra-nimble 29er that loves to descend
The Brave New World of 142 x 12 Syntace pioneers new axle standard
MORGAN MEREDITH
➲BEST VALUE
German manufacturer Syntace is pioneering a new 142x12-millimeter rear axle standard, which it claims can improve upon both 12-millimeter through axles and 135x9-millimeter quick-release hubs. Yeti and Trek have already added the design to some models and expect to see it gain wider traction going forward. Theoretically, “X12” will work with any 135-millimeter rear end, without disrupting the chainline. How? Imagine a regular QR rear hub poised over the dropouts of a bike that’s been flipped upside down. Now, add 3.5-millimeter spacers on each end, and cleave a corresponding 3.5-millimeter notch out of each dropout to hold the now-142-millimeterwide hub. No more fishing for the hole as with a standard throughaxle—just lock-andload QR simplicity with the stiffness of a through-axle. All of DT Swiss’s mountain hubs already are convertible, and more manufacturers are jumping on board for 2011. Why? It’s nearly as light as a QR and, as Syntace engineer Krischan Stranz explains, “you don’t need three hands—one to tighten the axle, one to hold the bike and one to hold the wheel. You just need one.”
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trail Commencal Meta 55 Component Highlights Fox 32 Float RL, Cobalt wheels, Race Face Deus cranks
The Meta 55 Carbon features a carbon front triangle painted with a black-and-gold color scheme that is reminiscent of an 80s-era Trans Am. But did it ride as good as it looked? The bike’s low center of gravity, combined with its 68-degree headtube angle and 140 millimeters of rear-wheel travel made it stand out on the descents. Conversely, the Meta 55 was a bit of a sluggish climber, and more than one tester complained about unnecessary bobbing while climbing in the saddle. Also, the organic pads on the Formula R1 brakes offered little stopping power on steep, wet terrain. Switching to sintered pads helped some, but not entirely. Still, the Meta 55 begged riders to push its limits and should please anyone looking for an all-around bike. $5,000, range $3,000–$8,000 \ 26 lbs
Bottom Line A fast, light and aggressive bike that can go anywhere but favors descents
Marin Mount Vision 5.8 Component Highlights XT drivetrain, WTB Devo saddle, Hayes Stroker carbon brakes
Marin’s Quad-Link 2.0 suspension linkage is one of the most unique-looking designs available. But as our testers quickly discovered, it’s also stiff and stable. The bike remained active while pedaling in the middle ring, with little pedal feedback. It climbed less efficiently in the granny gear, and the platform on the Fox RP2 helped—although some comparably priced bikes came with an RP23. With a 68.5-degree headtube, the Mount Vision was stable while descending, but narrow bars and a long stem impaired handling. Still, the Mount Vision felt surefooted and rewarded aggressive riding. Other parts helped the bike’s performance, including a Fox 32 F120 RL fork and WTB Moto Raptor Race tires, which worked surprisingly well on wet and rooty sections. $3,465, range $2,100–$6,300 \ 28.9 lbs
Bottom Line A stout trail bike that is stable on rough terrain and built for all-day rides
GT Sensor 1.0 Component Highlights Fox 32 Float RL 15QR, RP23, XT drivetrain and brakes
This year GT updated its Independent Drivetrain (formerly known as i-Drive) suspension with a new pivot system that uses fewer parts and requires less maintenance. Engineers also lowered the leverage ratios to make the suspension more active and supple. The Sensor still felt as stable as a rock on seated climbs, but there was a hint of bob while standing. On the descents, however, the rear end was noticeably more active than previous versions, and it performed much better on square-edge bumps. The bike sports a nice mix of quality parts, as well as a few lower-cost items to keep the price around $3,000. The geometry (69.5-degree headtube, 73-degree seat-tube) was a little steep, and despite a bit of flex, the Sensor rode well and ripped into smooth, fast sections of trail. $3,000, range $1,700–$3,000 \ 28.5 lbs
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Bottom Line One of the supplest GT bikes we’ve ridden
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trail
$2,075, frame $600 \ 30.5 lbs, frame 5.4 lbs
$4,500, range $2,800–$6,000, frame $2,150 \ 29.9 lbs
Banshee Paradox
Chumba VF2
Component Highlights SRAM X.9 rear derailleur, Manitou Minute 29er
Component Highlights Cane Creek Double Barrel rear shock, Hope Mono M4 brakes, Fox 32 Float RLC
The Paradox is a big-wheeled missile that charges into rough terrain. The 16.9-inch chainstays defy 29er convention and made the bike easy to handle. With a slack 69.5-degree headtube angle and 120-millimeter fork, the bike swallowed big hits, felt stable at speed and didn’t back down on steep rock-rolls. The Manitou Minute fork was a bit tricky to set up, but offered smooth action. On the downside, the stiff 5-pound aluminum frame might be a bit on the harsh side for an all-day slog, and the short chainstays limit front derailleur choices, although installing SRAM’s HammerSchmidt would eliminate any clearance issues.
The VF2 is built around a lightweight frame with 5 inches of travel and a carbon-fiber rear end. But it came with a Cane Creek Double Barrel coilsprung shock and a dual-ring setup with chainguide. While the bike gobbled up rocks and technical terrain, the coil spring seemed slightly out of balance with the air-sprung fork and less-aggressive Maxxis Ignitor tires. Still, the bike rode surprisingly well. It bobbed marginally while standing, but seated climbing was smooth and efficient. The rear end was active and rolled over larger rocks and roots, especially in the middle ring.
Bottom Line A stiff, slack, burly 29er hardtail that’s perfect for rough terrain
Bottom Line A surprisingly agile bike, with category-blurring performance
$4,575, range $2,875–$4,575 \ 29.6 lbs
$3,990, range $2,830–$3,990 \ 29.9 lbs
Jamis Dakar SixFifty B2
Gary Fisher Rumblefish II
Component Highlights Crank Brothers Joplin seatpost, Truvativ Noir XC 3.3 cranks, American Classic wheels
Component Highlights RP23 DRCV shock, Shimano XTR rear derailleur and 12-36t cassette
“Why?” It was the first question raised of Jamis’s SixFifty B2, and it laid the burden of proof squarely at the bike’s 27.5-inch wheels. The SixFifty B has the unmistakable feel of a big-wheeled bike, though it’s a little lighter and more flickable. The bike’s shorter chainstays made for an efficient and firmly planted climber. But the bike also displayed a big-wheel-sized hunger for momentum-driven climbs, and it skipped over tough terrain. The 650b takes two extremes and distills them into a moderate hybrid. It’s the same concept that brought us 7-inch rotors, 15-millimeter axles and the doughnut burger.
Gary Fisher continues to push the 29-inch envelope and has ventured into burlier terrain with the Rumblefish. It seems the company set out to make a big-wheel version of its 26-inch Roscoe. And on paper, this bike rips. It has a killer spec—wide rims, smart rear shock, tapered headtube, and Trek’s ABP rear suspension design. Its 110 millimeters of rear travel and 70-degree headtube angle made for a nimble and eager climber. It wasn’t as spry as expected on descents, however. The frame is stiff and has slightly more travel than other 29ers. Though it rode well, it lacked the spark and zip of some others in the test.
Bottom Line An easy-handling, surefooted, momentum-hungry bike
Bottom Line An eager climber loaded with features
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