Video: 6 Aggressive Trail Bikes Ridden & Rated - Field Test Roundtable

Dec 20, 2021 at 11:56
by Mike Kazimer  


PINKBIKE FIELD TEST


Trail Bike Roundtable


4060 ST vs Jibb vs Stumpjumper EVO vs Murmur vs Hugene vs Riot Trail


There aren't any hard and fast rules when it comes to bike categorization, and trying to figure out exactly what the difference is between an an aggressive trail bike and and all-mountain bike is like trying to eat soup with a fork. That doesn't mean it's not worth trying (the categorizing, not the soup eating), which his how we managed to put together a somewhat eclectic, and very interesting, selection of bikes for this year's Field Test. The contenders in the aggressive trail category all had between 135mm to 150mm of rear travel, and were designed for big days of pedaling up and down technical terrain

Which bike is the best? That's a tough one, and there's really no clear answer. Alicia Leggett and I were both very impressed by the Scor 4060 ST, but its Achilles heel emerged during the countless wet and muddy rides we took it on – it's a tough bike to keep clean, and the shock tunnel is an absolute mud magnet. That took it down a notch in our books, which put the Propain at the top of Alicia's list, due to its all-round abilities, and snappy pedaling performance.

For me, I'd put the Stumpjumper EVO alloy on the top of my list thanks to its high level of adjustability, and that SWAT box. Honestly, I'd be at home on any of the bikes in this group, with the exception of the Ghost Riot Trail – I just wasn't able to click with that bike due to its geometry and suspension kinematics.

When it comes to surprises, it was the Starling Murmur that ended up riding differently than I expected, in a good way. Yes, it had that oft-touted extra-compliant feel of steel, but it didn't feel completely glued to the ground, with a nice amount of pop for hitting jumps or hopping over mid-trail obstacles. The weight wasn't out of the ordinary either – it was right in line with the aluminum-framed Stumpjumper EVO and the Raaw Jibb. That Jibb felt like a mini-Madonna, which may be exactly what some riders are looking for – a stout, shorter travel trail bike that's no slouch on chunky, rough trails.

Watch the roundtable video to see more of our thoughts on this batch of bikes, and keep an eye out for an upcoming Pinkbike Podcast where we go even deeper into our pros and cons lists.



6 Aggressive Trail Bikes


Fall Field Test Photo by Tom Richards
Raaw Jibb
• Travel: 135mm rear, 150mm front
• 29" wheels
• 65.1° head-tube angle
• 77.5° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 470mm (large)
• Weight: 34.0 lb / 15.42 kg
• $2,695.20 (frame only w/ Float X2)
• FULL REVIEW
Fall Field Test Photo by Tom Richards
Propain Hugene
• Travel: 140mm rear, 150mm front
• 29" wheels
• 65.1° head-tube angle
• 76.1° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 476mm (large)
• Weight: 31.25lb / 14.17 kg
• $6,737 USD
• FULL REVIEW

Fall Field Test Photo by Tom Richards
Scor 4060 ST
• Travel: 140mm rear, 150mm front
• 29" wheels
• 65.5° head-tube angle
• 78° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 485mm (large)
• Weight: 32.12 lb / 14.56 kg
• $6,599 USD
• FULL REVIEW
Fall Field Test Photo by Tom Richards
Starling Murmur
• Travel: 140mm rear, 160mm front
• 29" wheels
• 64.2° head-tube angle
• 76.6° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 485mm (large)
• Weight: 34.06 lb / 15.44 kg
• £2,087.50 (frame only w/ Ohlins TTX coil)
• FULL REVIEW

Fall Field Test Photo by Tom Richards
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Alloy
• Travel: 150mm rear, 160mm front
• 29" wheels
• 63 - 65.5° head-tube angle
• 76.6° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 468 - 473mm (S4)
• Weight: 34.37 lb / 15.58 kg
• $5,600 USD
• FULL REVIEW
Fall Field Test Photo by Tom Richards
Ghost Riot Trail Full Party
• Travel: 140mm rear, 140mm front
• 29" wheels
• 66° head-tube angle
• 77° seat-tube angle
• Reach: 467mm (medium)
• Weight: 36.0 lb / 16.32 kg
• €3,699.00
• FULL REVIEW

Which aggressive trail bike would you most like to ride?




The 2021 Fall Field Test is presented by Rapha and Bontrager. Thank you also to Maxxis, Schwalbe, and Garmin for control tires and equipment.



Author Info:
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148 Comments
  • 63 4
 I feel kinda bad for the Ghost
  • 12 1
 Yeah me too, poor thing!
  • 13 0
 @motdrawde: They had a well working frame with similar value builds the last years and then decided to build this oddity with ridiculous suspension curves. I really dont understand who decided to build that bike.
  • 6 1
 Ghost'ed by PB.
  • 3 1
 I really don't, owned an FR AMR and snapped it 3 times
  • 10 0
 Yea and the 54 votes are the employees and ambassadors. Ouch.
  • 4 0
 @rich-2000: the question was "the bike you would like to ride", not buy.
I'm pretty curious about the Ghost
  • 2 0
 @Lorerime: Yeah exactly. I voted for Propain because it seems like an extremely well sorted bike, but can't say I'm not curious about the Ghost now.
  • 4 0
 Seems like it should have had a 150 or 160 fork on it? heavy, coils, but then a steep head tube angle just doesn't add up...

Course that wouldn't have helped the sizing issues they had.
  • 2 0
 @stiingya: there is an Allmountain and an Enduro version of that bike.
  • 8 0
 In the last few years I've tried various commencals (personal favorite), canyons, a couple yetis, a spattering of SC's, an evil, a kona, etc. I'm sick of all these bikes being pretty good, I almost feel as if I need to ride this ghost to re-gain perspective on how to make a mountain bike incorrectly. Props to Ghost for building this innovative bike, it seems like no one else builds pieces of sh** anymore lol
  • 1 0
 @alicialeggett : did the Ghost come with extra CTS valves so you can fine tune the fork and shock to better suit you and the terrain? I could care less about the frame but want to know more about the suspension...
  • 34 1
 Scor 4060 ST - fast and beautiful
  • 3 0
 agreed
  • 2 0
 could a fender and some moto foam not put this at the top??
  • 26 3
 Alicia's killing/fascinating stare for the win, but why?! Just because.
  • 1 1
 Bump fork up to 160 and party?
  • 20 1
 @danstonQ: they’ve all struggled with the issue of what to do when someone else is talking, but Alicia’s crazy eyes are the highlight.
At least they aren’t pretending to drink a craft beer like certain rival publications.
  • 1 0
 yea but it didn't score as well as a couple other bikes... Smile
  • 8 0
 @AyJayDoubleyou: The one camera, straight on group shot is to blame. They should be seated a couple of feet apart, three cameras, edit back and forth to the speaker and sprinkle in a few group views. With all that Outside money flying around, what's another couple of cameras?
  • 1 0
 @dglass: LT version on the 4060 is 160 Shock with a 170 fork
  • 2 0
 @AyJayDoubleyou: if I was at the other group, I wouldn't be pretending.. If its a good one, you would probably see me opening a second one... lol
  • 3 0
 @ReformedRoadie: Instead of patches like moto foam maybe just make a large opening at the bottom of that void so everything just drains/falls out.
  • 2 0
 @h82crash: after this pink bike review I imagine they are already changing the carbon molds to have something like that incorporated or sales will be far less than they could be !
  • 26 1
 @mikekazimer: I would really like to see Pinkbike (or anyone, really) test out “available” bikes, not just new stuff. For example, how does a Yeti SB130 LR stack up today? Is it still relevant? That kind of thing would be cool because there are many bikes that have remained relatively unchanged over the last few years. I also think it would help consumers to get out of a latest and greatest mindset and think about bikes that are a bit more lasting or “sustainable”.
  • 5 0
 that would be great indeed. Maybe throw one in for reference at each test at least, like last years or two-years best. Doesnt need a full review just give an idea of where we're at and if there's all too much progress. In times of short supply that might ease the FOMO of many and makes bikes more available who really need it. (new to sport, broke your old etc.)
  • 7 1
 They kindof did that with the previous big bike field test with the Specialized Enduro, and in the end it was still their favourite.

Specifically with the 130LR, I'd bet it still comes close to the top. It was the favourite bike of two out of the three reviewers in the round-table in 2019, the suspension curve seems to be what a lot of other companies are trying to mimic now, and the geo is still very current and checks a lot of the extra boxes (room for a long dropper post). Obviously, having one makes me pretty biased, but I've had it a few years and usually this is when I start having thoughts about the next bike to replace it. But nothing I've seen (available or not) seems to offer anything I don't already have with this bike.
  • 1 0
 @big-red: exactly I liked that with the Enduro Smile Myself I have the SB55 and am always tempted that I need something new - and then I go out and ride and love the bike. Yes it’s a bit short in Reach for todays standard but with a 50mm stem, high-rise bar and 1.5deg Angleset to steepen up the seat tube and slacken out the front it really doesn’t feel smaller then my buddy’s bike with 25mm more Reach. And oh boy it pedals.
  • 19 1
 Having owned a '21 Stumpy EVO now for about a year I can backup up how good the EVO is. If there were ever was a single bike that could do anything for an aggressive rider that doesn't like to wear a pack the EVO is it. Swiss Army knife for sure. I added a Cascade link and a Super Deluxe Ultimate. Dreamy.
  • 3 0
 How do you like your cascade link? Noticable difference? Seems like a perfect addition for taking the evo to the bike park
  • 7 0
 @KC-Duke: I really like it a lot, actually made a distinct, noticeable difference that for me was wholly positive. I'd say it made the bike a bit more supple off the top, made climbing performance slightly but noticeably better due to better support and lastly provided a much better platform and support for aggressive riding and much improved bottom out resistance. One area where the link might not be great is if you are a heavier rider since it requires roughly 10% greater spring rate so if you are close to limits on air pressure in the shock or near the highest spring rate on coils offered then it's probably not for you. Otherwise all roses in my opinion.
  • 2 0
 @heatproofgenie: awesome! Thanks for the input. Last bit of convincing I needed to pull the trigger on a stumpy!
  • 19 1
 The Starling for me. I love steel bikes.
  • 5 0
 Me too Wink
  • 4 0
 Yep, would love the Starling too. But out of what they've got to offer, I'd be most curious to ride their Little Beady Eye bike with smaller wheels.
  • 5 0
 The murmur is coming in at the same weight as the stumpy! Even with a heavy coil! Looks so good
  • 2 0
 I'm seriously considering a Twist, #Brexit be damned!
  • 3 0
 @ridestuff: Brexit only makes sales to EU slightly more complicated, but no more expensive. It has no impact on sales to Canada.
  • 1 0
 @phutphutend: Not necessarily for you, but definitely for the customer. At least for smaller items (in my case Misspent Summers stuff in particular), the administration and handling fees are a considerable chunk. Of course, if these are identical for a more expensive product like a bike frame it is less of an issue.
  • 1 0
 The fact that the Starling is comparable on price and weight to these mainstream bikes is brilliant. I'd probably have one by now if it wasn't for the big gap in sizing between M and L.
  • 2 0
 @phutphutend: Brexit makes bikes from the EU significantly more expensive…

www.propain-bikes.com/en/info/brexit
  • 1 0
 @phutphutend: apologies, I misread your “to EU” for “from EU.”
  • 1 0
 @chakaping: Starling does offer custom geometry though. And if you're going down that route, there isn't much stopping you from getting the geometry dialed. So don't just adjust reach, but also get the seattube no taller than you strictly need.

@ODubhslaine : Does that go for you Irish people too? I thought you'd keep an open border though I don't actually recall what was decided, merely that it was a massive discussion.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: it doesn’t affect us one bit. The only way it has any effect is if someone here wants to buy a bike from the UK. The € figure for Vitus, Nukeproof, etc. used to be around the same as the US$ figure. Since Brexit that’s no longer the case - the € is now way higher than both the $ and £ price, even when currency conversions have been made.
  • 2 0
 @ODubhslaine: For Starling bikes which are made in the UK, this is not the case. One of the conditions of (the shit show that is) Brexit was that UK products do not incur import duty.

This differs from brands who get their frames manufactured in the Far East, in this case import duty is liable.

So the process is a bit more complicated: we remove UK VAT from sale price, customer pays their countries VAT as it enters the country, custom add a few pennies for their efforts. The net effect is pretty much the same price as before Brexit, just a little bit more complication.
  • 1 0
 @phutphutend: another reason to build and buy local.

I only knew about the Vitus and NP situations cos I had looked at both before I eventually bought a new bike. I assumed it would be the same across the board, and never considered that British made bikes would be different.
  • 10 0
 Thanks Pinkbike for delivering such good and fun reviews, it's like a xmas gift Smile
For the next field tests you should add more info about the frame quality, specially for the carbon frames. We don't know where it's made, we don't know if it's reliable, we don't know anything.
Besides we don't have any info about the bikes reliability. Over the last years some bikes got some awards because they were light and efficient.. but afterwards if you check some forums or groups you see there are tons of issues because manufacturers saved too much weight.
We need more info about quality, sourcing and maintenance support because it makes a huge difference when you have make a final choice.
  • 25 18
 If you're paying for one of these with your own money, consider reliability too. I've had my Murmur 3 years and ridden around 7000km on it, changed 1 set of pivot bearings in that time, not missed a beat. My 2013 Stumpjumper evo on the other hand - 3 sets of bearings, 2 shocks, 1 cracked chainstay in less than 3000km - just saying
  • 14 0
 @brianpark next trail bike test, bring the winner back to compare. But not a box fresh copy, a bike thats been ridden and used by an actual rider. Let it do the timed testing, but rather than review it, ask the owner how much maintainence they have done, and what upgrades they made.
Because thats the question we really want: is any specific new bike better than a well used old one when that old one was the best of its day?
  • 34 1
 2013 Stumpy compared to 2021 Stumpy isn't exactly apples-to-apples, maybe other than the name.
  • 8 1
 Lucky you. My experience with murmurs has been 1 snapped swing arm (english), 1 cracked swing arm (ORA), 1 oval headtube, and many many pivot bearings. I still love them mind.
  • 4 0
 I'm still riding my 2011 SJ Evo, and should have changed bearings at some point. Even without changing bearings it still rides well. I just upgraded the dropper post and put on new brakes and had the shock rebuilt. So far it's been great. It rides pretty damn good for being 10 years old. I'm hardly any faster on new modern bikes. With that said, I do really love riding the new SJ evo, Bronson, and Hightower. The new bikes are great, but are they worth $6-8k when my current bike still works?
  • 12 0
 Bikes have changed/improved tremendously since 2013.
  • 11 0
 If that's all that's happened to your ancient Stumpy in nearly 9 years I don't think that's bad at all. There's no way to measure reliability so it's very hard to factor in at all. I'd much rather go by warranty and customer service.
  • 3 8
flag sanchofula (Dec 21, 2021 at 11:29) (Below Threshold)
 @Evo6: To be judgmental, which clearly you have invited, I think you bike is so many generations removed from what we're riding now that you have no idea what you're missing.

In addition, your skill set has not evolved because you have not grown with the technology, so yeah, you have no idea.

My suggestion would be to get rid of your dinosaur, get a new bike, and start pushing your skill set.

But if you don't want to ride better, that's a choice too.
  • 5 2
 I love my murmur. I usually am looking at other bikes by the end of my first year on a bike and definitely looking to get rid of a bike after two years. I have now had my murmur for two years and I cannot think of a bike I am interested in riding beyond another murmur. Most bikes start to sound a little rough after a few weeks of riding for me. overhauling suspension and bearings and all that helps, but after a few more weeks it starts to feel pretty used again. I still have not changed the suspension bearings on my murmur. It definitely needs them, but it sounds and works almost like new. The bike sticks like crazy in corners and has a crazy amount of pop. Its flexy, but not in a dead way. I can explode out of corners and pop off of anything on the trail. Simultaneously this bike is the smoothest bike I have ridden on brake bumps and rough chatter. There are other bikes that I would enjoy, but I can't imagine anything else would have the same feeling as this bike and would feel and sound this good after being subjected to two years of abuse.
  • 1 0
 @sinner: did they sort it?
  • 1 0
 @Evo6: I have a 2013 stumpy evo ive literally never serviced. Still rides like a champ. Dropper post is the only thing that’s given up. That said, just got a 2022 stumpy evo and they are different bikes. Really similar immediate comfort, but so much more capable.
  • 6 0
 All trail bikes in the test are under $7k, and most of them are great. And even if you choose a model around $4k (like stumpy evo comp, or cheaper scor), it still be a really good bike (with just a few minor upgreats needed).
  • 11 0
 I don't quite get how being "under $7000" is kind of noteworthy. If it had been under $5000 I'd understand, but 7000...
I mean you can find some good value alloy trail bikes for under 3000$ (Canyon recently), so 5000 is already up a notch, 7000 is more than a notch, it's hi-end.
  • 3 0
 @Will-narayan: check downcountry field test, only two bikes less than $7k, two over $9k (ultra high end?). I hope for more reviews of bikes with under $7k price tag.
And if we are talking under $5k, Scor, Stumpy and Propain have some really good options under. Most of them just need damper upgrades and a few other small upgrades and they are mostlythe same as reviewed bikes.
  • 10 1
 Swapping the fork on the evo comp alloy isn't a "minor" upgrade. A 36 Performance Elite costs £1000 and good luck selling the Rythm take-off for decent money.

£3250 bike with a Rythm fork LOL. What's next year, a £4k build with a Recon?

And no, the Elite tested here isn't the best value it could be either. The fact they specced Factory instead of Performance Elite says it's a margin&marketing-driven build, not customer-driven. A good value build would have PE+GX for a lower price, or put the money saved on pointless kashima into brakes/tyres/drivetrain at the same price. Then they can add a top end kashima+X01 build if that niche needs to be filled.

Look at that £3250 evo comp alloy with NX, Rythm, some own brand tyres, short travel X-fusion dropper...

Now look at the Privateer 141 GX build for £3389: GX, Pike Ultimate, Float X Perf Elite, Hayes Dominions, long travel OneUp dropper, tyres are personal but it has the right casing and compound - no paper thin sidewall plastic tread shenanigans - and the front MM is a safe choice. This is a min-maxed rider's spec not a marketeer's spec. Not to mention geo that someone actually spent time thinking through instead of giving it an angleset because they couldn't decide (e.g. the ST angle that's actually steep not just on paper). Inb4 "it's heavy", the frames weigh within 100g of each other from what I've checked (3600g for the Spec, am I right?).
  • 13 0
 @bananowy, the damper on the Rhythm fork could be upgraded to a Grip2 damper for around $350. Still not cheap, but definitely less expensive than a whole new fork.

I agree, though, that Performance Elite would have been a good spec choice for the Evo reviewed here - I'd rather have that extra cash go to having it come with Code RSC brakes instead of RS.

As for the Privateer frame, that's certainly a contender, but the Specialized's frame is a more refined option - the SWAT box, the geometry adjust (even if you don't like it), and little things like cable routing do set it apart. Either way, I'm all for more aluminum options, especially ones that aren't super expensive.
  • 2 1
 @bananowy: you can upgrade rythm with grip2 damper, and it will cost you way less than upgrading whole fork. And I didn't say that those bikes are the best value on the market. Just saying I'm enjoying $5-7k bikes reviews way more than $9k+ bikes.
  • 5 0
 @mikekazimer: Sure about the damper upgrade? I've readsomewhere that you can't do it with a Rythm, only with Performance (inner diameters or something like RS Yari vs 35 Gold). Happy to be corrected and yes, it would make the comp look a bit better.

I concede it's a more refined frame, no doubt. SWAT is genius. I fully accept it should cost more vs the Privateer designed using stock tubes. How much more, when you compare the build kits for a similar price and how many bikes Spec will sell is another story.

Then there's the very individual question: does more refined = better on the trail.

EDIT
@wyric Totally agree on enjoying the non-gucci reviews.

My question wasn't really "are they the best value on the market" but "are they the best Spec could have made them". If it's "no" to the latter, it annoys me in the same people the Porsche Cayman annoyed Clarkson when it first came out and was deliberately made worse than its potential to hit a market tier and price point.
  • 3 0
 @bananowy: and one more thing. If you upgrading from a 5 years old bike, or it's your first bike, rhythm is just superb fork.
  • 1 0
 @wyric: * "in the same way" not "in the same people". Sorry can't edit again.
  • 7 0
 @bananowy, yes, the damper upgrade is possible - swapping out the Grip damper for a Grip2 is a simple procedure. It's on the air spring side where parts aren't interchangeable due to the different internal diameters.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: Got it. I confused the sides of the fork it seems. Thanks for the correction.
  • 11 1
 I agree with whatever Alicia Leggett recommends. More Alicia, please !!!
  • 5 1
 @Matzdadd if you look at her Insta she absolutely shreds too!!!
  • 7 0
 The Stumpjumper is a big 1000USD under the other contenders (I wouldn't build a bike from the frame). Leaves money for other fun stuff like slush and hockey tickets.
  • 6 2
 They're talking about the alloy Evo
  • 16 3
 Leaves money for things like replacement shocks! Fantastic bike though.
  • 3 0
 @MutleyAdams: Yeah but still, I would'nt mind having an alloy bike if it is competitive with the other ones
  • 1 0
 @ slush? Like beer slush?
  • 2 1
 @4thflowkage: can confirm they eat rear shocks. Especially a coil
  • 6 0
 In Europe the price level between the Propain and the the Specialized is inversed (and the SP weight 1.5kg more...)
  • 1 0
 @russhandsome: Slush Puppie, the blue one. Or the red. But not lime green or other fancy ones...
  • 1 0
 @krhaack: do you have an idea of how many hours your first shock lasted? Also what cool did you use? I haven’t found any compatible coil shocks. Just got a 2022 expert with the new float x, supposed to have less issues but we shall see
  • 5 1
 My next bike will likely be the Stumpjumper, but I would love to try the Starling. I rode a SC Superlight for years and loved the way it rode. The Starling looks like a modern take on the Superlight.
  • 3 0
 Is it just me or will I never see any of these bikes in the wild in my parts... I am a bike nerd and am always checking out others rides on the trail...Other then the Evo which you don't see often. I had never even heard of Scor or Starling before.... I've seen maybe one Propain and never a Raaw. Hard to get exited about bikes the LBSs in these parts don't carry.
  • 1 0
 Well SCOR is brand new and literally launched a couple months ago (I think they're JUST starting to show up in the US), and the starling seems like a pretty niche bike to buy
  • 3 0
 I built up a 22 S-Works SJ EVO frame as summer was ending and the thing is an absolute ripper of a bike. This is for sure my “5-year bike” and I cannot even wrap my mind around how a bike like that can be vastly improved upon.
  • 5 2
 I much prefer mulllets. So technically the Stumpy EVO, but I already know how that rides in carbon. The Scor is definitely most interesting, but still disappointed there are not more mullet options out there.
  • 1 0
 SCOR has a mullet option. I think the RAW does as well?
  • 3 1
 @mikekazimer Can you elaborate on your desire for a higher rise bar - would a higher stack height achieve the same thing? What about adding more spacers under the stem?(assuming you were ok with the reduction in reach) Is wanting a higher rise bar a descending or climbing preference? Thanks
  • 2 5
 Yeah, personally I find high rise bars a bit odd because you either run the rise vertically and it increases effective stem length or you run them in line with the steering axis which reduces reach (or obviously somewhere between) but either way there's a compromise and it doesn't solve anything a higher stack, spacers or longer stem wouldn't.
  • 8 4
 Based on looks and specs, I went with for the Propain Hugene. The Specialized designers took a page from Dr Seuss' contraptions.
  • 3 0
 I like when they did the enduro bike test they used the Specialized as the bench mark. They should compare past bikes that are in this category as well.
  • 4 0
 Propain bikes are very interesting, but the Tyee, not the Hugene, is the horse in that stable I'm most interested in trying.
  • 3 1
 @alicialeggett , am I right that you were not done with what you wanted to say @2:35 ? And this gentleman in the middle just moved on earning himself a pair of rolling eyes ? Smile
  • 11 0
 Hah nope Levy and I are good. I was rolling my eyes at myself because I actually misspoke right after that - If I remember correctly, I said "so that was not unsurprising" when I actually meant "not surprising" so our lovely editors took it out and I was annoyed at myself for sounding dumb Smile
  • 3 0
 @alicialeggett: Haha, Ok, but no worries, you're did a great job !
  • 1 0
 @alicialeggett: haha, I feel like that every time I open my mouth, so you're doing alright by comparison. Thankfully I'm not on camera so much as you are though!
  • 5 0
 Alicia has good insight. Thanks pb
  • 4 1
 Would love to see a Nicolai next time maybe. Saturn 14 / ST would be awesome.
  • 4 3
 Would have liked to have seen a Ripmo in there - either the AF or Carbon version. I love mine and if ever there were a bike that screams 'aggressive trail bike' that has to be it.
  • 2 2
 Hope the Ghost Riot EN Full Party ever gets a chance to get tested bei you. Love the bike so much, guess in the right size with right spring rate you would love some sides of the bike too. Good test, since I owned a Spindrift CF I would not go again for propain and would like to go for the Raw Jibb
  • 5 3
 I have bikes that are as good as anything in this group, so what appeals to me most is trying a bike that is completely unlike what I already ride: Starling Murmur
  • 3 0
 What about the new 2022 Trek Remedy? Oh wait, I forgot it’s not available until 2025.
  • 4 1
 The Starling in that new bronze color is just so damn clean. By far the sickest bike out of the group.
  • 2 0
 Didn't we all agree to have last year's winners included in the discussion for these round-tables?
  • 3 0
 How would these compare to the latest Devinci Troy?
  • 3 0
 I wanna see the Ghost DH Full Moon Rave
  • 3 1
 How does the Optic sit in your ranking amongst these other aggressive trail bikes?
  • 2 0
 Would be grat to have a comparsion to the Optic for reference.
  • 3 0
 Ill take the Propain please. ʘ‿ʘ
  • 2 0
 Drag Matt in on the roundtable why don’t ya!
  • 2 0
 wow never heard of half these bikes
  • 1 0
 where are the actual times of the bikes down the trail or have I missed them?
  • 11 11
 Anyone had a look at the thickness of that downtube on the Specialized ? Since all the carbon ones are cracking.
  • 3 0
 probably has more to do with making room for the swat box
  • 5 1
 this is Alloy bro....
  • 4 1
 Great question. Don’t know why the downvoting. I’m assuming it’s thicker due to weight and the time they had to correct previous design flaws. Someone posted the carbon thickness on the affected area is 0.8mm
  • 3 2
 @PJSANAB: the bike tested is an alloy bike.
  • 4 3
 What's with all the specialized defenders downvoting these comments lmao
  • 6 0
 @blaaaaaaaaaah: There have definitely been downtube cracks from rock impacts but statistically I'd bet it's quite a low percentage. Certainly is unfortunate though, not taking that away. Also many, many other bikes can suffer from the same thing. My SB150 had the exact same thing happen from a rock kicked up from the front wheel. How Yeti handled that is another story though.
  • 2 0
 I had an alloy frame in hand and it was thin… but no real good way to measure it at the time. I buy the denting stories being thrown around just based off of inspecting it, but like the thin carbon, it wouldn’t persuade me against buying one.
  • 1 0
 What glasses are the riders using? They look good!
  • 1 0
 Those are the Rapha Pro Team Full Frame glasses. They worked well with the clear lens for the wet and muddy conditions we had. They will fog a little if you wear them on slower speed, humid climbs, but they clear up pretty quickly once there's more air flow.
  • 5 1
 @mikekazimer: So about the same as the $13 Home Depot specs?
  • 5 1
 @bikewriter, nah, they fit a lot better and have a much clearer lens than anything I've found at the hardware store. I do wish that they offered a version with just a clear lens for a lower price, though.
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer: do you know of any bike-specific brands that offer a clear lens only option? I’ve tried hardware store glasses and the optics were distracting enough that the glasses don’t “go away”. I like the fit of some expensive brands but I know the majority of the cost is the fancy polarized lens I’ll never use.
  • 2 1
 @amrosen: Become an IMBA member and submit your membership to Expert Voice, lots of great eyewear brands at a nice discount!
  • 1 0
 I have a soft spot for raw aluminum frames…
  • 5 5
 Are you ever going to review a Pivot? They make some really nice bikes lately.
  • 1 0
 But which bike would @mikelevy ride?
  • 1 1
 Ya…. but it’s a specialized.
  • 3 3
 Alicia stop looking at me like that you're making me nervous
  • 1 3
 I would've liked to see a Niner Rip RDO there.
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