If you've read any recent trail bike review, you probably already know the tired old line about how incredibly capable a modern mid-travel bike can be. For the most part, this stopped being news a few years ago. We get it: a lot of these bikes are really friggin great.
But, and this is an important 'but,' a lot of them are great in very different ways. What I mean is that while so and so's new rig might blow your mind on one type of terrain, another rider on another continent on another type of trail will have, ahem, another type of experience. So maybe it's time we looked at bike reviews in another way? The most important aspect of a bike test that could always be underscored further is how one machine compares to another. And in these times when there aren't exactly a ton of duds out there, straight-shooting comparisons like that are more important than ever.
Please, just don't call it a shootout. Suspension design and travel, wheel size, and especially geometry, all vary widely between the five choices, making the bikes too different in intention (and price) for it to be thought of as anything like that.
So, what is a trail bike these days? All of the rigs here have 130mm (ish) or less when it comes to rear-wheel travel, and they're designed to, you know, ride trails. These aren't heavy-hitting all-mountain bikes, although some could be that capable in the right hands, and they're certainly not enduro race bikes, either. What they are, however, is all-around'ers and do-it-all bikes that can be ridden nearly anywhere and everywhere. Whatever you want to call them, below are a few of the most interesting examples that we've ridden over the past twelve months.
With just 114mm out back, it'd be easy to misclassify the SB 4.5C as a cross-country bike. Its angles tell a different story, though, one of a cross-country bike with a bad attitude, or of a lightning quick trail bike with a penchant for being playful. The 29'' wheeled Yeti, with its Switch Infinity suspension, is efficient - it better be with so little travel - but it's the bike's descending manners that are more surprising. ''Even with 'only' 114mm of rear travel, the SB4.5 is capable of handling seriously rough trails, thanks to the combination of its big wheels, well managed rear travel, and dialed geometry,'' Pinkbike's Mike Kazimer explained in his review of the turquoise flier. ''In fact, if I didn't know better I would have guessed that there was 130mm of travel on tap.''
The bike's relatively progressive geo means that some riders may find it a bit slack if they're used to and hoping for knife-edge type of handling or something more in-line with such little suspension travel. There are also no ISCG 05 tabs, which is excusable-ish despite the SB 4.5C's capabilities, but it's a shame that the sole bottle mount is in a prime location to scoop up as much giardia as possible.
SB 4.5C Details
• Intended use: XC / trail
• Rear wheel travel: 114mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon fiber frame
• BB92 bottom bracket
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 25.75 lb / 11.68 kg
• MSRP: $6,899 USD
• www.yeticycles.com
• Intended use: XC / trail
• Rear wheel travel: 114mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon fiber frame
• BB92 bottom bracket
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 25.75 lb / 11.68 kg
• MSRP: $6,899 USD
• www.yeticycles.com
Don't let that 114mm of travel fool you, because the SB 4.5C is one hell of a capable bike. It's yet another short-travel machine that uses progressive geometry to remind us that suspension doesn't define a bike, thereby making it tricky to define the SB 4.5C. It's not a pure cross-country rocket, of course, but it's good enough to be nearly anything you want it to be.
Read the full review
• Progressive geo = FUN
• Impressively efficient, even for its travel
• 114mm that feels closer to 130mm
• Progressive geo won't be for everyone
• Sole bottle mount is under the down tube
• Expensive frame-only option
Long this and slacker that is all the rage these days, and there's no doubt that approach works for some riders. But for many others, it makes more sense to stick to classic, proven geometry numbers as used on the 120mm-travel OG Ripley. Call them conservative if you must, but there'll always be a place for a quick handling trail bike that doesn't employ a top tube longer than a FEST Series gap jump. This, the OG version of Ibis' Ripley, gets an updated frame that features more tire clearance and a stiffer rear end, as well as internal cable routing, but it retains the 406mm reach (size large) and 69.2-degree head angle that it had when it was first introduced.
The bike's conservative geo, at least compared to the latest crop of trail bikes, makes it a quick handling demon when it comes to technical climbs or any sort of trail that demands near-telekinetic steering prowess. But it also means that it's not as planted as a longer, slacker bike like, say, the Ripley LS that employs more contemporary geometry. Both this and the LS model employ dw link suspension and can be run with anything from a 120mm to a 140mm-travel suspension fork depending on where and how you like to ride.
Ripley Details
• Intended use: XC / trail
• Rear wheel travel: 120mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon fiber frame
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Internal cable routing
• dw link suspension
• Weight: 27.3 lb / 12.38 kg
• MSRP: $3,999 - $7,899 USD, $2,999 frame / shock only
• www.ibiscycles.com
• Intended use: XC / trail
• Rear wheel travel: 120mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon fiber frame
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Internal cable routing
• dw link suspension
• Weight: 27.3 lb / 12.38 kg
• MSRP: $3,999 - $7,899 USD, $2,999 frame / shock only
• www.ibiscycles.com
This ain't a bike for a rider who frequents steep and/or rowdy trails. But if you like to cover a lot of ground, value top-notch climbing manners, and prefer a quick handling package, the Ripley will be a great friend to you.
Read the full review
• Classic, quick handling geo
• Efficient dw link suspension
• One of the best climbers in the biz
• Classic, quick handling geo
• Not as surefooted as some
• Like to monster truck? The Ripley isn't for you
The T-130C may sound like it's named after a fax machine, but Whyte has created a package that, while not exactly as exciting as a new Yeti, manages to not be a facsimile of the countless other Horst Link-equipped bikes out there. The 27.5'' house-brand carbon wheels with a 30mm internal width, Maxxis High Roller II rubber, and dialed Fox suspension package make it more of a bruiser than the shorter-travel SB 4.5C or Ripley, but it still dishes out solid pedaling manners that won't have you hating life halfway through a long ascent.
The Whyte is a solid performer that doesn't really surprise or disappoint, which may make it seem less exciting to some, but the British brand could be just the ticket for a rider who is looking for something different at a trailhead full of Giant, Santa Cruz, and Trek bikes. It also sits in the odd middle ground where it doesn't have the travel of a more capable all-mountain rig but is certainly not as spritely or novel as a next-gen, short-travel trail bike with less suspension and longer and slacker geometry.
T-130C Works Details
• Intended use: trail
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Wheel size: 27.5"
• Carbon fiber front triangle
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 28 lb / 12.70 kg
• MSRP: $5,999 USD
• Whyte USA
• Intended use: trail
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Wheel size: 27.5"
• Carbon fiber front triangle
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 28 lb / 12.70 kg
• MSRP: $5,999 USD
• Whyte USA
We'd recommend the T-130 Works to riders searching for a particularly versatile and stout trail bike. It climbs well and does not ask much from its pilot at the controls. It is built tough enough to go the distance, it has an excellent suspension system, and it's brave enough to demonstrate how deep you can go into the abyss with only 130mm of suspension travel.
Read the full review
• Excellent price considering specs
• Geo favours descending
• Will be an uncommon rig at the trailhead
• Integrated seat post clamp is fussy
• Rubber sealed frame didn't seal that well.
• Precise cornering and steering may not suit beginners.
The Primer is a sweet looking machine that stays true to the appearance Intense has created throughout the rest of their range. Its sleek carbon fiber chassis has a classic profile that communicates lightness, efficiency and a measure of confidence - but with its 29er wheels, up to 130mm-travel rear-end and modestly modern geometry, it appears too balanced and sensible to capture the imaginations of the sport's emerging cult of self-ordained gravity gods. It would be easy to categorize the Primer as a gentleman's trail bike that's targeted at the accomplished rider who has a taste for finer things, and it could fulfill that role quite well. We also discovered, however, that there is a beast lurking beneath the Primer's mild-mannered profile. The Primer 29 may, in fact, be the best performing trail bike that Intense has ever made.
The bike's suspension is a modified version of the VPP dual-link configuration dubbed, 'JS Tuned Suspension,' which is said to produce better pedaling performance, and it can deliver either 115 or 130mm of travel, and both settings deliver a smoother ride than those numbers would suggest.
Primer 29 Details
• Intended use: trail
• Rear wheel travel: 115mm - 130mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon fiber frame
• 92mm press-fit bottom bracket
• Weight: 25.43 lb /11.56 kg
• MSRP: $9,499 USD
• www.intensecycles.com
• Intended use: trail
• Rear wheel travel: 115mm - 130mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon fiber frame
• 92mm press-fit bottom bracket
• Weight: 25.43 lb /11.56 kg
• MSRP: $9,499 USD
• www.intensecycles.com
The Primer's easy to live with handling likely comes from a relatively roomy wheelbase that, when combined with a 75-degree seat tube angle, enforces a centralized riding position that sees the pilot have to move their weight around only minimally to get the bike to do as he or she wishes. Throw in excellent pedaling manners and the new Intense is hard to fault.
Read the full review
• Great handling manners
• Efficient suspension design
• Steep seat angle
• Needs more capable tires.
• Rear suspension over-extends while climbing with the shock "locked out."
• Will convert more riders to big wheels.
Kona was one of the earlier companies to adopt the long-and-low geometry movement, and their Process series of bikes quickly became legendary thanks to sublime handling and build kits that focused on reliability over low weight. Their 167 and 111 models got most of the attention, with the 134 suffering from a bit of that 'middle child' syndrome. That's a shame because the 134mm-travel Kona makes a great do-it-all bike for someone who's idea of do-it-all really does mean doing everything - large jumps and drops included. The nearly 30lb Kona is a burly machine that a more cross-country focused rider might find to be a bit too much, even though it does pedal admirably well, whereas someone with more courage than the average trail rider is going to be loving life on the 134.
The frame is nearly completely aluminum (there's a carbon bridge on the rocker arm, for what it's worth), and the rear-end isn't Boost, which may put off some riders who suffer from FOMO, but others will probably be indifferent to those points.
Process 134 DL Details
• Intended use: trail
• Rear wheel travel: 134mm
• Wheel size: 27.5''
• Aluminum frame
• link-driven, single-pivot suspension system
• Weight: 29.12 lb/ 13.2 kg
• MSRP: $3,799 USD
• www.konaworld.com
• Intended use: trail
• Rear wheel travel: 134mm
• Wheel size: 27.5''
• Aluminum frame
• link-driven, single-pivot suspension system
• Weight: 29.12 lb/ 13.2 kg
• MSRP: $3,799 USD
• www.konaworld.com
The 134 DL may not have the glitz and glamour of the latest carbon super bikes, but Kona has never been about either of those things. That's more than okay because the 134 is a hoot to ride hard, and you won't be blaming the bike for not doing any jump or drop if you're on it.
Read the full review
• Burly frame and build kit
• Confidence inspiring handling
• Aluminum frame, no Boost
• Heavy
• Sole bottle mount under down tube
• Aluminum frame, no Boost
And the winner is...
None of the above. The trail bikes shown here are simply too different to say that just one of them is head and shoulders above the rest in overall performance, but there is some very clear distinction when you parse it down to some of the different types of riders who are out there, so let's do exactly that.
Trail riders who enjoy the climb as much as the descent, or cross-country bandits looking for something a hell of a lot more capable than a pure race rig, will be happiest with either the OG or longer and slacker LS Ripley from Ibis. While it's not at home on truly rowdy trails, it is a bike that puts an emphasis on efficiency and nimbleness, and it's my first choice for someone who enjoys covering a lot of ground quickly. And if you want similar efficiency but paired with a bit more relaxed (and capable) personality, the beautiful Yeti SB 4.5C is going to just the ticket.
There's an obvious winner when it comes to trail rides that include any type of challenging descending: the Kona 134 DL, of course. She ain't light, which is partly due to the 134 DL's price point, but I'd rather have a chunky bike with sublime handling than a lighter weight one that has me on my tippy toes anytime things get serious. Sure, the black Kona isn't made out of carbon fiber - although they're likely working on a version that is - but it simply doesn't matter how much a bike weighs or what it's made out of when it's this much fun to ride.
Want to read even more shootou... er, comparisons?
Ridden And Rated - Six Dropper Posts
Ridden And Rated - Six Helmets
Ridden and Rated - Five Trail Knee Guards
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And what's completely missing, again, is some explanation on how all this is impacted by rider size/weight/strength. Just reading this, I would think that the Process 134 is exactly what I need (and that bikes like it, i.e., 27.5 with about 130-140mm of squish and a long/low geo) would perfectly fit my needs. And in the process (no pun intended...), I would completely miss that the Process 111 actually fits my needs a lot better - because I'm 230# and 6'1", and so I don't mind the extra effort to throw the bigger wheels into a turn, but I can benefit from the stability they provide, whereas the 134 is almost twitchy in comparison. Yet someone lighter than me might prefer the 134 for the exact same trails and riding.
And what's also missing, again, is some explanation of how body geometry plays into this. I'm of somewhat symian build (long torso relative to my legs). So a bike with low standover, short chainstays, and long front center makes fore/aft balance much easier for me. Someone with longer legs/shorter torso dimensions, on the other hand, might prefer their wheelbase to be distributed more towards the rear triangle.
And yet another thing that's missing is any real explanation of the impact of different build levels and prices on the whole thing. Example - the Whyte is carbon, and about two pounds lighter than the Kona, and quite a bit more expensive. There's some talk about how the Kona is burly, and therefore the weight is not a problem - but if I were looking at that niche (130-140mm DS 27.5 trailbikes with relatively progressive geometry), I'd be left wondering to what extent the differences between these bikes are a matter of build level/weight, and whether that extra money is worth it. And because they're different bikes, that comparison is hard. So why not have a feature that looks at three build levels of a particular bike from the high, medium, and low bits of the range - and really go into what the tradeoffs are, and to make some conclusions about where you're best off investing money, and where it's not going to have much performance impact. Example - do the lighter wheels that come with higher-end builds make a real difference? Hell, ride two bikes with the same build but different wheel sets, then tell us how much impact that had, and put that in perspective to the dollar cost of that upgrade. Then do the same for drive trains, brakes, suspension, etc.
The MBA style shootout is bullshit - Vernon and Mike are completely correct on that. But just saying they're all great, and here's a bit of the pros and cons on a handful of bikes is just a start. I hope Pinkbike is going there - having read very thoughtful reviews I know these guys have the chops to take this further.
That said, a quick search of YT bikes on the Canada site will tell you that many of the Jeffsy's are also sold out... GO Nickelback!
When is the last time you debated a non white conservative? Especially one whom escaped a socialist country/regime...
F@#&k Nickelback. ☺
Vernon Felton. Pinkbike. Yesterday.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
vernonfelton MOD PLUS (22 hours ago) [Edit]
@saskatoonbikeguy, Thanks for the input--you raise a good point. I'd like to see us review more bikes in group settings and I think you'll be seeing more of that in the future. At the end of the day, most of us really do want to know how does this bike compare against other bikes like it. Thus, I think reviewing a handful of similar bikes and weighing the pros and cons of each is entirely valid. Entirely. That's why I endeavor to compare a bike like the Hightower to similar models within my write up. It's also the basis of how we did things at Bike's Bible testing sessions. What I object to with the "Shoot Out" model of reviews, is that there is always a single bike that is the "winner". The "top bike" is an attractive proposition that sells a shit ton of magazines and generates clicks online, but it is massively simplistic. The best bike? For whom? For what style of rider? For which trails? Even when we are talking about a distinct style of bike (say, enduro, for example), different riders will want different things from a bike. To bring this closer to home, I wanted to stress in this partiular review, what sets the Hightower apart from some of its contemporaries that I've spent a lot of time on. In this case, the standout attribute is neutral and stable handling. Wide open, fast and chunky terrain? This bike kills it on that stuff. It's not a slouch in tighter terrain, but the other bikes I mentioned have a more lively feel.... Which is better? That's a question for you, as a rider. There's no way any editor can/should make that judgement for you....which is what always happens with "shoot outs". I've been writing reviews now for almost 20 years and I'm sick of the premise that any of us editors possess a magical ability to tell readers what they should and shouldn't buy. The best we can do--the most honest we can be--is to highlight strengths and weaknesses. Again, group tests are fine. Single absolute winners? Not fine. At least, not since the late 90s (I will agree that there was a time when bikes were so crude that a few stood out as massively ahead of the pack, but nowadays, that's a whole lot less common). Thanks again for speaking up. Cheers.
One man reviews aren't good, even the video games magazines now have multiple reviewers on the same subject and contrasting opinions. Plus it minght mean instead of just getting one bike you get a few.
I feel the same way. My tool magazines have multiple people trying multiple tools. Same thing happens, one guy will love a particular drill/saw while another will not. Personal preference or brand loyalty perhaps. But I love how Pinkbike has been able to put up reviews of multiple items. Keep the great work coming!
Unfortunately I'm paid on commission
It would be nice to see such a comparisons for bikes in different price levels too!
Like a seperation for bikes above and below 4000$.
But anyways thanks for this one!
I was just thinking it would be nice to see a comparison for bikes which i might be able to afford without selling essential organs
Cheers friend, and happy riding!
Maybe Pinkbike (and we all) should start thinking about ecological aspects… or do you know any serious recycling program for carbon-frames which isn't just blabla?
And there is still a difference between worse and the worst!
recyclenation.com/2010/11/aluminum-extraction-recycling-environment
How many crutches do people need to ride a bike
If if it doesn't have a boost hub will the bike crash more
But every ass has a seat so stupid people will buy what the industry says is better but you can't buy Talent......
"Excellent price considering specs"
Recently my son I went to ride in a populated area and it was like a Santa Cruz demo day. Bunch of noobs on blinged out Nomads and Bronsons....crazy.
Next!
vimeo.com/146342627
I like the Kona.
A mate has a Whyte T130 - brilliant bike.
Strange how we now consider 13.2kg's heavy for a FS bike! Still about 800g's lighter than my Mega TR.
That said, great work, loving this kind of thing. Hopefully with more time and proof of concept we might see a Trek lovingly compared to a Specialized and a Santa Cruz...!
Nice review, just how I like em, with bullet list points and a short opinion of the ride.
i'm pretty much into the Meta 4.2TR (2100€) even tho i think it's too heavy for me...
F
Why these bikes alone though? Tranny scout, 5010 etc??
On the Intense review, under the thumbs down category, it says "Will convert more riders to big wheels".
What is this implying?
This is what's wrong with mountain biking. The whole industry is filled with these morons selling absolute nonsense. This bikes so good I thought it had 130mm of travel when it actually only has 120mm... like 10mm is going to make any difference? You are all a bunch of brainwashed idiots... non of this matters, you are all going to die one day.
So, does 15mm make a difference? 22mm? When is it enough for you to personally say "Damn, there's a difference!'' And if none of it makes a difference, why do you have a suspension fork on the front of your hardtail? Or 11-speed and wide tires? You don't actually need any of it, and you're going to die one day yet you still have it.
Kazimer's description of the Yeti was his way of saying that the bike is more forgiving than its suspension travel would have you think, which is a very real thing. I've ridden plenty of bikes like this, and it's down to design, setup, and spec. You don't have to care, but don't come here to shit on people who do.
You don't need anything more than an old, rigid department store bike to go mountain biking, but our sport is one that is very gear-driven. I enjoy this aspect very much; you obviously don't and that's fine. You would very clearly have just as much fun mountain biking on an old beach cruiser and in jeans and a t-shirt. I'm jealous that you're out there doing exactly that while having just as much fun.
I for one think all salsa should taste like Afterburner, but then my children and anyone with a calmer palette may disagree. But that does not make them wrong, does it? Nor I, with my enjoyment of firemouth?
Sure, at the end of the day you don't even need a bike to have a great day or stay fit. But that's really not the measure. Mountain biking is dang fun no matter what you are on. What we are measuring is the subtle differences that increase or decrease the comfort, the speed, the feel and overall experience. Your right, it does not matter in the end and we should all not let it get in the way, but yes a 19mm rim does feel very different than a 30mm rim. Tubed vs Tubeless, almost night and day. But that's part of the fun for many of us. For others it is not, and that is ok.
Cheers!
You ride an on-one hardtail with mid-range kit. You clearly like it, and that's awesome. I hope you have a lot of fun on it.
I ride a Yeti (SB45 incidentally) and absolutely love it. I have a great time on my bike, and it hasn't bankrupted me to buy it. Sure I'm not going to win any EWS races on it, but I don't care about that- I enjoy riding it.
Ultimately these reviews are not designed to convince people they NEED a new bike. However there are a lot of people in the market for a new bike who might find group reviews like this very useful.
You need to calm down and stop giving a shit about what other people buy.
*edit* to follow on from what Kazimer said about the 45 (not that you care) this bike really really doesn't feel like it has 114mm travel. I was really surprised by it when I first test rode one last year. Having come off an SB5 with 127mm travel I was expecting it to feel like a spindly XC bike, but was absolutely blown away by how fast (and *cliche alert* capable) it was.
I don't care about what people ride or buy i care that we're getting misled and pressured into buying stuff they don't need. Wanting and needing are two different things.
That said, I went into it with an open mind as I understand that travel, wheel size etc. are all just individual parts of the complete package. It's how they're put together, in combination with geometry, frame-stiffness and clever use of that relatively short travel (in this case, Switch Infinity) that counts.
I'm pleased to report that Yeti really pulled it off with this one.
Testing it back-to-back with an SB6, their 6" Enduro bike, I felt a lot more confident on the 45, and certainly didn't feel any slower.
You seem to have a bit of an axe to grind, and I'm really not sure why. I'm also really not sure how you feel you (we) are being misled. Nobody's putting a gun to anyone's head with articles like this and saying "you have to buy one!"
All they're doing is putting a bit more information out there about the choices available. I fail to see how that's a bad thing.
Short travel bikes tend to go hand in hand with more xc-oriented geometry, and a less-stable feel. What Kazimer was getting at is that although the 45 falls into the same travel category, it does not feel like other bikes of that ilk, and despite it's short travel it can be held in the same regard as more aggressively designed bikes with longer travel.
I'm really not sure what the problem with that is!