Featuring 150mm of rear-wheel travel, alloy frame construction, and modern trail bike geometry, the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO was introduced as a more radical take on the well-known Stumperjumper trail bike. When I was looking to assemble a 27.5″ fun machine, the EVO and its progressive design, features, quality of construction, and reasonable price point stood […]
Review: 2020 Norco Sight C 27.5
This winter I had the opportunity to spend time on the 2020 Norco Sight. An all mountain trail bike designed around new school long, low, and slack geometry, the Sight platform is available in both 29″ and 27.5″ wheel iterations. Though the 29″ version gets the most attention, I was most intrigued by the Sight […]
Why my next 27.5″ MTB will be alloy — a look at the potential options
I had to think for a minute before I realized I do currently own a mountain bike with an alloy frame —a Santa Cruz Jackal dirt jump bike. On a ride yesterday I came to the realization that almost everyone I rode with was astride a carbon fiber mountain bike. I then realized that that […]
First Rides: 2020 Norco Sight C2 27.5″ Review
The 2020 Norco Sight is billed as a versatile all-mountain bike with modern frame geometry and suspension kinematics. The 2020 iteration of the Sight has undergone a major shift from the previous 2019 edition, with an increase in suspension travel and revamped geometry that features a slack head angle, lengthened reach and wheelbase, and significantly […]
Review: GT Force Carbon Pro
Growing up, I remember GT bikes as the bike to have. A brand with a long storied history, I have fond memories of learning how to dirt jump on a GT Fueler BMX bike. I’ve never really spent time on the mountain bikes, but when GT revamped the line and released the new Force Carbon, […]
GT Carbon Force Pro (2020) Part 1: Out of the Box
Geometry proved capable of winning enduro races at the world cup level and Fox Factory Suspension spec (not to mention its brilliantly candy-color blue finish) make the GT Force Carbon an appealing package for fans of 27.5″ wheels.
Review: YT Industries Jeffsy 27.5″ CF Pro
The newest iteration of the YT Jeffsy has hit the interwebs and the buzz created by the famously direct to consumer brand is high. Several of the boys in the crew have been on the Jeffsy for the last season, so we sat down to go over the good and bad of one of the […]
Marin Bikes San Quentin 27.5″ Hardtail
Marin Bikes San Quentin was developed as a do-it-all hardtail. The alloy frame, suitable for trail riding or playing at the skills park with modern geometry making it an ideal starter bike for riders looking to get into the sport. Dirt jump frame inspired with tons of stand over height to take advantage of the […]
Fresh Gear: Norco Aurum 7.2c
With modern “enduro” bikes reaching new levels of capability, owning a downhill bike can be difficult to justify without regular access to shuttlable trails or gravity parks. However, there’s no substitute for riding a dedicated downhill bike. I’ve been thinking about it for some time now, and with the recent acquisition of a 2016 Norco […]
Review: Transition TransAM 27.5
After a few months obsessed with the notion of rocking a 27.5″ hardtail, it was time to pull the trigger and build one up to try. The frame I chose was the Transition TransAM. It had practically everything on my list: short 418mm chain stays, a steep seat tube angle great for climbing, long reach, […]
All Around Trail Crusher: Santa Cruz Bronson Build Video Edit
We’re getting closer and closer to that holy grail of mountain bikes every year— the one that descends like a downhill bike, and climbs like an XC bike. A few years ago this class of bike was typically referred to as an all mountain bike or long travel trail bike, but now marketing departments have latched […]
Liteville 301 with Syntace 26″ / 650b Wheel Comparison
650b is the latest topic of discussion raging through the bike industry with news that many manufacturers are dropping their 26″ wheel lines in favor of the slightly larger diameter. Whether or not you have your eyes set on the in betweener size for your next trail bike or not, they’re going to be out […]