The Nukeproof Scout is considered an “aggressive hardtail,” a burgeoning category of hardtail mountain bikes with increasingly slack geometry and equipped with longer travel suspension forks. With a head tube angle of 65 degrees and 150mm of travel, the Scout 275 (2021 “Pro” spec) is a capable hardtail that can conquer just about any technical […]
Kona Honzo CR Trail Hardtail Bike Check
There are some bikes you just don’t get rid of. The Kona Honzo CR has been one of them, filling the 29″ hardtail slot in the quiver for a few seasons now, and being the test platform for a wide range of review products. At the time of its introduction, the Kona Honzo CR enjoyed […]
Neuhaus Metalworks Mullet Hardtail
We enjoy riding MTBs of all wheel sizes… 26″, 27.5″, and 29″ all have a place for us. That said, after building up a 27.5″ hardtail, it simply didn’t have a place.. the 26″ was more fun on the pump track and dirt jumps, and the 29″ was more useful on the trail. But what […]
Santa Cruz Jackal Dirt Jump Bike Build & Review
The Santa Cruz Jackal MTB dirt jump hardtail is only available as a frame only, and at $800, it’s on the high end in terms of available options. Because of the high entry cost, unless you have a healthy budget or a fondness for the most choice gear, it isn’t in our top recommendations for […]
Viral Bikes Skeptic Prototype
When Viral Bikes founder Steve Domahidy said he had a one-piece carbon/stem combo in the works I wasn’t quite sure what to think. When I saw it in person though, it generated quite a few thoughts. It has a unique aesthetic that you can’t help but look at, and in my case, jump on the […]
Marin Bikes San Quentin 27.5″ Hardtail
Marin Bikes San Quentin was developed as a do-it-all hardtail. The alloy frame features modern geometry suitable for trail riding or playing at the skills park, 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 […]
Mondraker Vantage RR
Mondraker bikes are known for progressive, cutting edge geometry, with long front centers and slack front ends that bring the DH feel to the trail. Coming soon to a bike shop near you in the US, like many riders we’re super intrigued and looking forward to throwing a leg over one to see how it […]
Trek Roscoe 8 Hardtrail
In 2009 we both spent a good part of the season riding the Fisher Roscoe on trails throughout the west, and it was the best Fisher model we had ridden until that point. Since then Trek absorbed the Fisher line; it could be we’re a bit nostalgic about the Roscoe, but we’re glad to see […]
Kona Raijin Titanium 29er Project Build
When I was looking to assemble a do-it all hardtail mountain bike that could handle everything from XC racing to trail riding to long distance exploration, the Kona Raijin came out as the top choice for the heart of the build. Available only as a frame set, the Raijin is fabricated from 3-2.5 titanium and manufactured in […]
BMC TeamElite 29″ Hardtail Featuring Micro Travel Technology
When Bermstyle Fashonista Inga Beck was looking for a light weight cross country race whip, the 29″ wheeled BMC Teamelite was on a short list of contenders. Like the others on our list, it features 429mm chain stays. (For us Americans 429mm translates to under 16.89″) In our book, anything sub 17″ qualifies as “short”, especially when 29ers with […]
Review: Transition TransAM 27.5 Hardtail
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, […]
Traitor Cycles Slot Steel 29er
I’ve had a more than a few people ask what we’d recommend as the ideal San Francisco starter bike, and I’ve always thought a geared steel 29″ hardtail with a rigid fork was it — except I couldn’t think of anyone that offered a production bike with those specs. When I saw the Traitor Cycles Slot, my […]