Pinkbike's Top 10 Most Read Reviews - 2016
2016 was another busy year for Pinkbike's product testers, and over the last twelve months hundreds of reviews were published, covering everything from floor pumps to exotic carbon superbikes.
There's plenty of exciting tech content in the works for 2017, including more comparison articles where we weigh the pros and cons of the hottest bikes and components on the market, and several new concepts that we're not quite ready to reveal. Until then, enjoy this look back at the most read reviews from the past season.
1. Ridden and Rated - Six Dropper Posts
 | My needs, in order of importance, look like this: it has to be reliable, of course, and I need to be able to work on it when the time comes. I want a remote that I don't ever need to think about, and it also needs to have 150mm of travel and not cost as much as a decent aluminum wheelset. With all that in mind, I would spring for a Fall Line from 9point8 if I needed to purchase a new dropper post tomorrow. It's durable, offers the infinite travel adjustment that I prefer, and it even costs less than most of the other options. - Mike Levy |
2. Santa Cruz Bronson Review
| When it comes to finding the ideal balance between geometry and the amount of suspension travel, the designers at Santa Cruz have hit the sweet spot with the Bronson. It's incredibly capable on both the climbs and the descents, a bike that remains unflinchingly composed in just about every possible scenario. There's no shortage of bikes that claim to be able to do it all, but with the Bronson those claims ring true. - Mike Kazimer |
3. Fox Transfer Post Review
| With the discontinuation of the ultra-reliable D.O.S.S., and the fact that other companies are now producing some pretty good options, Fox's Transfer dropper post needs to be a home run. While my time on it has been limited, it seems as though Fox has managed to hit this one out of the park. If it were me, I'd probably save myself a bit of coin and buy the blacked-out Performance model for $329 USD that's identical mechanically and weighs the same as the more expensive Factory Transfer, but doesn't receive the Kashima treatment. Reliability is the only question mark, but it does look promising - I'll have a much longer-term review down the road to answer this. - Mike Levy |
4. Revolution Suspension Grips Review
| The $109.95 USD pricetag will be hard for many to swallow, but the added forgiveness of the Revolution Suspension Grips, however slight, will be appreciated by those who enjoy riding a short-travel bike quickly. I could also see downhillers who spend all day in the bike park benefiting from the design. - Mike Levy |
5. Transition Patrol Carbon 1 Review
| The Patrol Carbon is the most versatile all-mountain bike that I can remember riding. It's slack and forgiving like a proper enduro race bike should be, but then it seems to transform into not just a completely manageable package when the terrain isn't burly, but one that's an absolute blast to ride. Transition hasn't employed any buttons or dials to change the bike's geometry, either, but rather just built a smart, easy to live with bike that's fun to ride everywhere and anywhere. - Mike Levy |
6. Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 6Fattie Review
| If you think that plus bikes, and especially the 6Fattie, are going to ride awkwardly, you're wrong. The Specialized feels very much like a normal 29er on the trail, with the exception being that it allows the average rider to go faster on most downhills and clean tricky climbs more easily. Its 135mm of travel doesn't convey how it performs, however, making it a hard bike to try and label. Then again, that very description, that it doesn't suit any exact definition, makes it clear that the 6Fattie is best suited to a rider who falls into the same sort of non-classification. - Mike Levy |
7. Ibis Mojo 3 Review
| If I could do a blind test of the Mojo 3, I'm pretty confident that I'd still be able to tell you that it's an Ibis through and through. Sure, there are machines of similar travel that have more DH attitude, but the Mojo's nimbleness raises the fun factor to 11 on all but the scariest terrain, and a lot of riders don't even have access to those sorts of trails. And rather than hindering the bike's agility, the plus-sized compatibility only opens up more options when talking about both tire choices and line choices on the trail. - Mike Levy |
8. RockShox Lyrik Review
| When the new Lyrik was first unveiled there were some riders who bemoaned the fact that it wasn't radically different than the Pike. Where was the Totem 2.0? I'd say those concerns are unfounded - the Lyrik handily fills the space in RockShox's lineup between the Pike and the BoXXer, a tough yet versatile fork that works well on everything from all-mountain rigs to mini-DH bikes. After my initial time on the Lyrik the only unanswered questions were related to durability, and after months of hard usage it's passed that test with flying colors. A plush-yet-supportive on trail feel, plenty of stiffness, and a hassle-free setup all add up to a fork that's ideally suited for today's hard-charging riders. - Mike Kazimer |
9. SRAM Eagle Drivetrain Review
| The wide range of the Eagle drivetrain's cassette is going to be the most appealing trait for many riders, but it's the little things like the improved B-knuckle, the elimination of the narrow wide teeth on the derailleur's upper pulley wheel, and the revised chainring profile that help make this SRAM's best mountain bike drivetrain yet. The price is fairly high at the moment, but don't forget, this is SRAM's top-of-the-line gruppo; it's not a stretch to imagine that more attainable options are in the works.- Mike Kazimer |
10. Shimano XT M8000 Drivetrain Review
| We've finally reached a point where 1x11 drivetrains have become relatively affordable, a welcome development for riders who had been put off by the high price of upgrading. The question will inevitably arise as to which is better, Shimano or SRAM, but the truth is, one isn't drastically superior to the other - both offer excellent functionality and durability, although at the moment Shimano has the edge when it comes to pricing. All told, aside from slight ergonomic differences, plus the fact that SRAM's drivetrain requires a different driver body, and Shimano's doesn't offer as wide of a gear range, at the end of the day, it comes down personal preference. That's not as satisfying of an answer as declaring that X is better than Y, but it's also a sign of how good today's drivetrains have become, something that benefits all of us out on the trail. - Mike Kazimer |
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Eagle is just a super expensive production drivetrain for mountain bikes. Cutting edge perhaps, but not "exotic" at all.
Personally I don't mind Eagle, can't afford it anyway. I do run 1x GX though and still find 100€ for the cheapest compatible cassette too steep for a budget drivetrain component that will wear out over time. I find SRAM's pricing a bit OTT, shimano pricing is much more realistic.
I don't know about F1 drive-trains but just for comparison's sake, special techniques had to be used to construct fracture-split con-rods for racing motorcycles, and it was a significant advancement when a manufacturing technique was invented to make that cheap enough to introduce into some high-end production race bikes. I *seriously* doubt that any such advancements in technology came within 100 feet of SRAM's building when their engineer finished programming their cnc to pop out a 12 speed cassette instead of 11.
XT 1x11 is $330 right now on Chainreaction Cycles.
(From Jenson) (X01)
Eagle Chain: $60.00
Eagle Cassette: $360.00
Eagle Crankset: $390.00
Eagle Der: $220.00
Eagle Shi(t)fter: $127.00
Okay, so total cheap Eagle is $1157.00 on Jenson. That means I can only get 3 XTs for the price of a Cheap Eagle (Cheagle). So Cheagle has to last 3 years (conservatively). Huh. Hard decision. Seeing as people can beat me on an SS, I'd say we should save the birds for the ones who really have to be flown around. Don't want to buy so many that they're out of stock for those who need them. #Savetheeagles
Also compare apples to apples. XT to SRAM GX. I would still take the GX
Next year or the year after Eagle will trickle down to GX and make it more affordable. Extending the gear range and ditching the front drl is an undisputable improvement.
Compare XTR di2 to Eagle and get back to us.
The good thing about Shimano is it keeps OneUP in business.
Yes the di2 is electronic vs. mechanical and cost $1,000 more for a battery, solenoid, LED display and wires. Where is the outrage!!!! LOL!!
- 10-50 cassette weights close to 11-36 shimano XT - so talking about unsprung weight is pure bs here
- any 1xX is simpler to use an maintain than 2xX
- you have a long cage, but it's 2016 and we have those evil wheel sizes, so it is not worse than a 26'' and medium cage
The price? Ridiculous, but so are $8k carbon fames, super pricey carbon wheels with colourful magnetic clutch hubs etc. So, to sum up, this is still better than any 2xX and if someone can afford it, why not?
Now there are no MTB carbon frames costing 8k and my 3.4k carbon frame is actually better than vast majority of alu frames out there. But it just happens to be carbon, I'd enjoy it even if it was made of alu. But it is made of carbon, one of best carbon frames out there since their makers actually do control everything in production because it's a small local company so they have a possibility to do that. They don't need to rely on mass production with error margin being calculated into warranty return fund. My feame is evidently better than a Canyon and YT in pretty much every single way, which cannot be said about Eagle or XTR Di2 over a fricking SLX or XT. I have mechanical XTR because I got it for free, if I was to buy it I would shamelessly run SLX/XT combo. The only thing on my bike that was bought from narcissistic reasons is Hope Crankset, and I regret that decision greatly. Should have installed a used SLX crankset. I got myself a coil damper and 1,5ply tyres because it has to work properly. I do not fancy trying to be that guy on the forum posting pictures of a 6" bike hanging from a scale, tipping under 11kg, just so that people lick my arse and tell me they masturbate thinking about my bike.
Can you imagine, I am in my low form, as it is every winter and I changed cassette from 11-42 to 40 (36t front) and did some hairy, steep and wet climbs today. And I'm not wasted... I just pedal, oh maybe my oulse was almost 200 at points and so what? Did I whine like bitch that I am tired? That I wish I had at least 46t in the rear? Or thought that shifting isn't as crisp as Di2? No - shut the fk up legs, fk you lungs, fk you heart, That's what I was saying
The reason Eagle is expensive is because dudes with way too much cash who want to look better than the rest of us will pay for the privilege of having early. That's the whole reason.
It makes sense from a business standpoint for obvious reasons - at insanely high prices there's always a small segment of the market that will buy it at that price. So, release it at that price, sell it to those people, then after you've made all the sales you can at that price point, you bring it down - wash, rinse, repeat.
We all roll on these psychological mechanisms, the issue is to what point.
Marked down? Of course! Eagle is good for something!
and 200 or more grams heavier.......:-)
Shimano is currently about 2-3 years behind everyone else. Have you seen their dropper post? LOL!
(Love my XT 30t 165mm cranks and none of you can have them)
Screw it. I'm joining the chorus. Eagle is a rip. $1100 for a drivetrain? Insane! And why the hell does the shifter effort feel like a bare cable routed under a 1" steel BB dragged through the mud circa 1990? Damn that thing is stiff. Is this the price we pay for a clutched derailleur? Yes, I want it all for that price. Can't we get 15yo XTR super butter perfect shifter effort along with a clutched derailleur?
I'm dumping this stuff and going Di2. Wait, a battery and a bunch of little wires? What are these guys smoking? ????
felt a lot more solid than the pop gun we got in the same calibre
ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb7804439/p4pb7804439.jpg
however? AK leave it in a ditch full of water, give it a shake...guaranteed to fire every time!
personally i really liked the FN-FAL SLR in Nato 7.62
I do question that at times
I spent time with L85A1 (SA80) firing the newer Nato round 5.56, and short time using 7.62 on the old SLR and GPMG. Too much time as army cadet with the old Lee Enfield cannon firing .303, blanks would blast a hedgerow clean through! And firing Bren guns....wow!
Also got to fire some 'exotic' guns in Germany on shared Nato ranges as other keen to swap and fire the new British SA80 "pop gun", we got to shoot the M16A2 and H&K G3, plus a quick squeeze on an Uzi 9mm.
Easily the highlights firing chainguns on Challenger and Warrior, and deploying dummy minefields using vehicle mounted firing platform, and blowing clean with MCLC
If you're ever on this side of the pond hit me up!
www.bikerumor.com/2014/04/01/exclusive-first-photos-of-the-new-santa-nomad-plus-weigh-in
I want that shirt even though mine is the black, haha
Or am I being naïve?
I have a good friend from CA who has been in the bike industry for years. He can and has owned/ridden just about everything you could imagine. He has even owned a number of SCs that in his words "didn't blow his doors off."
For our trip to Downieville this year he decided last minute to bring a new Bronson. The whole trip he was raving like a lunatic (which is not his style) about how amazing it was. All I could do was smile and nod. Despite being from the opposite coast, and my home terrain being extremely different, I still have to agree that the Bronson might be the one bike to rule them all regardless of where you choose to do so.
The Nomad has been ready for an update for a while. Once that finally happens it will be a bit easier to make those kind of comparisons.
All manufacturers have their hits and misses. I think SRAM has had more misses than Shimano because they are more in the forefront with innovation and getting products to market. Shimano is slow to move and can also be good and bad. You know Shimano stuff is going to work but many times the performance is a step behind (example their dropper post).
If you don't think you need it don't buy it.
If you think it is too expensive don't buy it.
I was also a non believer in the need for Eagle and I still don't think it is necessary. But, after two rides on my new setup (can only get CC bikes from SC with Eagle now) it is worth every penny. Shifting is way cleaner than XX1 and the range allowed me to do a ride with over 4K of climbing despite being off the bike with injuries for almost the entire second half of the year.
Mines been running solidly through the British winter and has had a lot of abuse, hasn't had a single issue yet