2020 Pinkbike Awards: Mountain Bike of the Year Nominees
Mountain Bike of the Year Nominees
2020 was a strange, stressful year for most of the world, but even in the middle of a global pandemic a whole host of new bikes hit the market, and more riders than ever headed out to their local trails in search of an escape from the chaos.
The growth of crazy-capable short travel machines shows no signs of slowing down, and we're seeing more and more fast and light bikes hit the market. Pinkbike's first ever XC / Downcountry Field Test made it crystal clear that XC is no longer synonymous with sketchy, with the Transition Spur as a prime example.
The aggressive trail / all-mountain category is also expanding, where bikes like the new Specialized Stumpjumper EVO reside, a bike that's adaptable to fit a wide range of terrain and rider preferences, while also offering amenities like generous downtube storage and tools hidden in the head tube.
Two burly aluminum bikes also earned nominations, the Commencal Meta TR and the Raaw Madonna V2. Both are built to survive the apocalypse, which could be important considering the way things have been going lately.
Last year, it was the Norco Optic that took the win, a bike that still holds up as a prime example of how fun and capable a modern trail bike can be. This time, the Spur, Stumpjumper EVO, Meta TR, and Madonna are all vying for the title of Mountain Bike of the Year.
Why it's nominated
The previous Meta TR was no slouch – it impressed us with its solid, ready-for-anything feel at the Value Field Test earlier in the year – but the latest version takes things to another level. With a longer reach, slacker head angle, and steeper seat tube angle than before the new Meta TR has pushed past the trail bike designation and into the territory typically occupied by longer travel enduro bikes.
As the long term review said, “the Meta's 140mm of rear travel helps it stand out from longer travel enduro bikes, in a good way. There's plenty of travel for dealing with chunky sections of trail, but there's a level of support and snappiness that makes it an absolute blast when it's time to get airborne.” The Meta TR has an unflinchingly solid presence that inspires confidence when the trail turns from mild to wild, whether that involves hitting big jumps, knocking out laps in the bike park, or dropping into a steep, sketchy rock roll.
Add in the fact the Commencal's consumer direct business model and adherence to an aluminum-only credo allows them to offer a very good price to performance ratio and it's easy to see how the Meta TR earned a spot on this list.
From the review:
 | The new Meta TR is all about more - it has more travel, more aggressive geometry, and it's more capable than ever. Can it still be classified as a trail bike? That all depends on what your ideal trail looks like. It's not the first bike I'd grab for an all-day epic on rolling terrain, but for a big ride that was full of steep rock rolls, jumps, drops, and tricky technical sections? Absolutely - this is one of the most fun bikes that I've ridden this year. |
Why it's nominated
The Spur is something of a departure for Transition. After all, this is the company the got their start with chunky aluminum freeride / slopestyle bikes like the DirtBag and the BottleRocket – ten years ago it would have been hard to imagine they would be producing a bike like this, a sub-25 pound, 120mm full carbon 29er. Transition didn't forget their gravity-oriented roots, though, and that's part of the Spur's appeal. Its light and quick nature makes it easy to put in the miles, but it's on the descents where it truly shines, encouraging rides to go faster and bigger than they typically would on this style of bike.
As Mike Levy wrote, “The Spur isn't your normal cross-country bike and it’s not for racers. Instead, it's a short-travel bike for riders who don’t care that they have a short amount of travel, and for those who love the responsiveness of a 120mm bike but don't want to be held back by it on the descents.” The freerider's cross-country bike? Call it what you will, Transition have packed a whole bunch of fun into an incredibly versatile bike, one that epitomizes just how good a downcountry bike can be.
From the Field Test:
| It's as if the Spur delays what's coming at you in a Matrix-y way, but instead of dodging bullets in slow-mo while wearing cheesy gas station shades and a suit, you're eyeing up giggle-gaps and all the inside lines. Spandex suit not recommended, by the way. That surefootedness means you don't have to tippy-toe through fast, rough corners as you might on a more traditional bike. |
Why it's nominated
In 2018 Specialized released a version of the Stumpjumper EVO that turned heads due to its long and slack geometry, a departure from the norm for such a large company, and a sign of things to come.
That bike, which was initially available only in aluminum and in just two sizes, has now matured into a highly refined, and highly adaptable all-mountain machine, with a lightweight, full carbon frame, and six sizes to choose from. The latest version has 150mm of rear travel that's paired with a 160mm fork, 10mm more squish on each end compared to the prior iteration.
It's the number of geometry options that help set the Stumpjumper EVO apart. Thanks to a flip chip at the chainstays, and the use of a different upper headset cup, it's possible to achieve a head angle anywhere from 63- to 65.5-degrees. That's a spread that'll actually make a noticeable difference out on the trail, as opposed to the half-degree (or less) difference than many bikes have between their high and low settings. Along with all those geometry options, the Stumpjumper EVO raises the bar when it comes to frame features. The SWAT box has grown even larger, and there's now enough room to store a water bladder, making it possible to totally ditch the pack even on long rides.
This is a bike that could easily fill the 'one bike to do it all' position for a vast range of riders – as the review said, “Effortless" is the adjective that comes to mind when trying to sum up the Stumpy's handling in one word. No matter if I was on a steep, chunky descent, or on a smoother, jump filled line, I never felt like I was fighting the bike to get it to behave the way I wanted.”
From the review:
| The 2021 Stumpjumper EVO is a refined, adjustable, and more than anything, versatile bike. Specialized call it the 'ultimate trail bike', and while that phrase would normally set off my marketing hyperbole detector, in this case it's a very accurate description. |
Why it's nominated
Is there even a need to explain how the Madonna V2 ended up earning a nomination? I mean, just look at it. The aluminum frame is built to last, with a clean, utilitarian look, sealed covers for all the bearings, and external cable routing to simplify maintenance. It's designed to survive multiple seasons of hard riding, rather than barely making it through a summer of shredding without needing a complete overhaul. With 29" wheels and 160mm of travel the Madonna is meant to shine on the descents, but the geometry, especially the steep seat tube angle, helps make climbing as comfortable as possible aboard a bike like this.
Out on the trail, it's a solid, bump-sucking brute – drop your heels, let off the brakes, and the Madonna will take care of the rest. It's a bike that wants to go fast, and as the review said, "Hands down, this is one of the best cornering bikes I've ridden in recent memory. The low bottom bracket deserves the bulk of the credit here, and while that might cause a few extra pedal strikes on the climbs, on the descents that low slung stance makes the Raaw an absolute riot when it comes to cornering or carving down the steeps."
From the review:
| Don't be deceived by the Raaw Madonna V2's no-frills appearance – there's something very special about this bike. Not only is it build to survive just about anything, its performance out on the trails is highly addictive. The way that it rails turns and smashes through whatever gets in its way more than makes up for any weight related concerns. |
Honorable Mentions
There are four finalists in the running for the Mountain Bike of the Year title, but given the sheer number of excellent bikes that were released this year it made sense to give a little extra recognition to some of the other standouts that just barely missed making it to the final round.
Little wheels and a whole lot of fun, the latest version of the 5010 is all about delivering a good time.
A favorite in the XC Field Test, the Scalpel earned high marks in the speed department, and for how well rounded it felt.
Specialized came out swinging this year, and realistically the Stumpjumper, or even the Epic EVO, would be worthy finalists.
The Altitude's fast without being frightening, an easy going bike that can just as easily compete at the highest level as it can perform well on an all-day adventure ride.
The Slash is as quick and capable as ever, and the addition of a snack compartment on the carbon and aluminum models earns it extra bonus points.
This is obviously the actual Mountain Bike of the Year, except for one pesky line in the rules and guidelines that says all contenders must have been released for sale... Maybe next year.
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Nice!
Glad I ordered my Megatower when I did back in May. Somehow managed to be riding it 3 weeks after placing my order. Seems like 2+month waits are the normal as of lately.
Just go ahead and order the 7075 derailleur hanger if you live in a rocky area though. The stock one is just too weak.
You’re looking at 10 months to get an ibis at this point.
Pretty sure RAAW is the only provider. Boutique bikes = boutique parts. The stock hanger bends back easily if you hit it (mighta done that a couple of times...), but the Shimano 1x12 is so sensitive it won’t shift perfectly if it’s at all out of alignment.
Never thought I’d be so amped on a 120 29er... but damn.
f*ck that’s a stunner
One Pole and a Spur yeah nice combo
You only appreciate the Swat box if your bike has one to ne fair.
Very true. Been riding one for a couple weeks now and it’s perfect on all levels.
But the win probably deserves to be the stumpy evo. It’s going to have more impact to both the industry, and to more people.
It’s got adjustable geo AND adjustable chainstay length. And reportedly it rides quite well.
I just wish it had an alloy frame option. Then it would be a shoe in. Maybe that’s coming next year?
At least Vitus and Polygon have sub 2k models (and with droppers), but for that above 2k price yeah you can get a bike from an LBS and get service/support.
Direct to consumer is gonna shake a lot of things up though. I'm not even sure what the ultimate effect will be. Maybe not much at all. But they have my attention for sure (and many other bikes struggling in this "economy" lol)
If that one doesn’t get the nod, I’d say Slash. Had a last gen Slash, and that bike crushed it as a daily driver for riding out west.
Maybe one of the only local BC companies still producing gnarly bikes for awesome folks that have stock right now > wink wink
I love mine and recommend it highly
Both are high on my "I wish this was my next bike" list.
I prefer aluminum because it's pretty rocky where I ride and I crash a fair amount, so not an ideal scenario for a carbon frame.
Re: the bike itself, I feel like it's just begging me to ride faster - I'm still getting used to the length and big wheels, but it wants to charge.
It climbs surprisingly well and is ideal for my kind of riding - grind up a long climb and then fly down.
If you're worried about weight, you'll probably want to give a closer look at the Enduro - this thing is not light. That being said, I'd ride it down anything that I'd take my DH bike down and wouldn't feel undergunned.
I'm really happy with the purchase and don't have any regrets - feel free to PM me with any specific questions.
Thanks!
* although all its numbers are very Norco Sight.
Seriously though, this is what an eBike should be imo. It's really fun and capable without being too heavy or overpowered. It allows people who wouldn't usually be able to keep up to do so in group rides. Orbea recently released a similar bike. A demo on one went a long way to convince me to finally get a 29er and a trail / Enduro bike to boot (Reign 29).
I second both of these.
@kcy4130 I’m 6’5” 200 on an XL. Trust these men. It’s good. The short stays are fine, maybe especially if you already ride stuff with little wheels.
@mikekazimer yes it is an extremely fun bike!
The Reeb looks like a 2008 Giant Trance knockoff, and the 5010 sitting above a photo of a Cannondale catches your eye as dog ugly? Taste sure is personal.
And no fan of the Cannondale look. I just didn't feel right dogging on multiple frames based on looks, and Cannondale's always had its own thing going.
Just got what might be the last XT Druid build, close choice was a shimano Evil build but just impossible this year apparently and I want shimano.
Evil is a great company, building awesome bikes. XTR exclusive build is pretty exclusive though.
Spech evo looks spot on, but where the hell is the pivot switchblade ? Honestly, that is a great bike, up down and sideways.
@t0mislav:
It feels like a boutique product for people trying to show off their money - like the skiers on green slopes wearing full Arc'teryx Alpha kit.
Thank you, Captain Obvious. Of course last years "Bike of the Year" is still going to be a great bike. Unless you guys picked an already dated bike in the prior year, this will always be the case.
sorry bout the hand grenade{ donut} but it is a Frankenbike and not for sale.
www.pinkbike.com/news/2019-pinkbike-awards-mountain-bike-of-the-year-nominees.html
Oh wait, I just did that Google search. It seems that they're still being complete pricks to everyone. So it's business as usual for them.