2022 YT Capra 29 Core 4 Bike
Vital Review
Long-Term Review - YT Capra Core 4
Overall Review
T he latest edition of the YT Capra comes just in time to challenge the newest crop of all-day capable long-travel 29ers. While YT has a strong downhill racing pedigree, its offerings have been loved by the “fun first” crowd for a long time. Though this new update is certainly EWS capable, it really shines at the bike park. But don’t let the downhill-focused playfulness worry you, when the switch is flipped on the rear shock, this bike will climb more than well enough for a bike of its big-hit
2022 YT Capra 29 Core 4 Bike
3
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Giro Merit Spherical Open Face Helmet
Overall Review
P rotection against the effects of rotational forces on the brain has become pretty much the norm in high-end helmets, but there are several ways to go about designing this feature. Bell and Giro have pushed the concept further than many others with their Spherical Technology powered by MIPS, and the release of their latest open face helmet for mountain biking was a good opportunity for us to take a closer look at it. Keep reading to find out how we’ve been getting on! Strengths Weaknesses
Giro Merit Spherical Open Face Helmet
Vital Rating:
Sensus Crue Flat Pedal
Overall Review
S ensus was founded in 2009 by Cam Zink, kicking things off with the Swayze single ply grip. Today the catalog has grown considerably to include a wide variety of grips, with a couple of signature models from Andreu Lacondeguy and Emil Johansson for extra “street cred”. The grips are all made in the USA by ODI, while most other accessories sold by the brand are made in Taiwan. Incidentally, the list of pro riders associated with/supported by Sensus is so long that it’s probably easier to find a
Sensus Crue Flat Pedal
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8
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2022 Canyon Torque Mullet CF 8 Bike
Overall Review
W e test a lot of bikes here at Vital, and if there is one trend that really sticks out, it’s the fact that bikes are pretty damn good these days. So good, that we sometimes struggle to figure out how best to describe them. No such worries with the all-new for 2022 Canyon Torque – it’s a single-minded beast of a bike that doesn’t try too hard to be something that it is not. If you’re looking for a do-it-all enduro bike that is at home on a wide variety of trails and that can be pressed into duty
2022 Canyon Torque Mullet CF 8 Bike
7
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2022 Orbea Occam LT M10 Bike
Can't get enough
The Good
Suspension
Geometry
Frame Quality
Component Spec
Price (at time of purchase)
Made in Spain
Lightweight
Stiff
Efficient Pedalling
The Bad
Left-handed bottle only
Availability
Price Increase
Overall Review
Hi, you probably have seen my raving about this bike, either from my comments, or in my bike check. but I can't help to share my opinion on somethig that many may overlook b/c it's not as flashy as the other brands out there. Here's a note taken from my Bike Check "From basically never of hearing or considering an Orbea, I have fully converted to the Spanish brand. Previously, I was on a SB130 LR (L), and it was a great bike, but almost too much of a bruiser for me. If you have ridden that bike
2022 Orbea Occam LT M10 Bike
4
Member Rating:
2022 Orbea Occam LT M10 Bike
Vital Review
Vital Tested - Orbea Occam LT Review
Overall Review
L ooks can be deceiving. With an aesthetically clean and appealing to the eye 150mm travel frame design, a coil shock, and geometry that isn’t radical, Orbea’s Occam LT poses the question- Is it a trail bike, an enduro bike, or simply a modern-day mountain bike ready to take on whatever climb, descent or trail obstacle thrown its way? Highlights Carbon frame 29-inch wheels 150mm (5.9 inches) of rear wheel travel // 150mm (5.9 inches) fork travel Coil shock Asymmetric Design Tapered headtube
2022 Orbea Occam LT M10 Bike
5
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2023 Santa Cruz Megatower X01 AXS RSV Coil Carbon CC Bike
Overall Review
T he second generation of the Santa Cruz Megatower comes three years after the launch in 2019 and builds on the success of its predecessor. With some exciting new features and refined geometry, fans of the old bike may have a new favorite and those looking for an enduro bike can put this one at the top of their list. For a bike that is targeted at big rides and demanding terrain, Santa Cruz has upped the level for what to expect out of an enduro bike in terms of capability and all-day comfort
2022 Canyon Strive CFR Bike
Overall Review
W hen Canyon launched the current generation of the Strive in 2019 , misgivings regarding the conservative geo somewhat overshadowed the ingenious “ShapeShifter” and other qualities of the bike. Online expert opinion notwithstanding, that bike did go on to win the EWS overall under Jack Moir, albeit with some tweaks in the form of longer forks and a taller lower headset cup to slacken the head angle. For 2022, Canyon went back to the drawing board to develop an entirely new Strive, which looks a
2022 Canyon Strive CFR Bike
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2022 Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS E-Bike
Overall Review
E -bikes are an ever-evolving product category. Any mountain biker wary of yearly incrementalism will find the e-bike landscape downright overwhelming. Trek's new Rail 9.9 line pushes the limits of technological integration and incorporates a host of new elements. Is it too much? Did they forget about the actual bike in the process? Let's dig in and sort it out. Highlights 160mm (6.2-inches) front travel // 150mm (5.9-inches) rear travel Trek ABP suspension design Carbon frame 29-inch wheels
2022 Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS E-Bike
4
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