2016 YT Capra AL Comp 1
Vital Review
Tested: 2016 YT Capra AL Comp 1
Overall Review
Reviewed by Steve Wentz and Brandon Turman // Photos by Shawn Spomer // Action modeling by Scott Hart It wasn't long ago that YT unleashed the Capra CF , a carbon bike that helped push the limits of what a ~160mm travel bike could be and do. The hydroformed aluminum model followed not long after, and even it sees the use of a one-piece carbon seat stay to keep things stiff. New for 2016, the AL Comp 1 model comes ready to rally the roughest descents with an additional 10mm of travel up front on
2016 YT Capra AL Comp 1
3
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Shimano XTR Di2 M9050
Overall Review
Review by Brandon Turman // Photos by Courtney Steen and Brandon Turman Maybe it was our hangover from the launch party the night before, but we were overwhelmed the first time we laid eyes on our Santa Cruz Bronson test bike equipped with Shimano's electronic XTR Di2 drivetrain. "What the hell are all these tiny little wires all over the bike? Why are the shift levers backwards? And for god's sake, STOP BEEPING." Yeah, it probably was the hangover. Like many, we couldn't stand the thought of
Shimano XTR Di2 M9050
2
9
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Acre Traverse Short
Vital Review
Tested: Acre Traverse Short
Overall Review
Review by AJ Barlas // Photos by Steve Li Acre - a brand that focuses on the minimalistic, functional side of products and less on meaningless marketing slogans - has been steadily building a following among cyclists for a number of years now. Their products are aimed at getting riders into the great outdoors with a focus on the necessities, because the extras can often result in things going wrong. Whether going on a multi-day trek or just a quick power hour rip, no one needs the hassle of
Acre Traverse Short
1
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2011 Atomlab Trailking Bike
It's really nice
The Good
Light comfortable and clean
Very fun and easy to throw around
The Bad
Paint chips and scratches easily
Dents easily too
Headset is hard to find
Linear brake mounts are ugly in my opinion
Overall Review
Totally worth it Very comfortable and enjoyable Great for urban, free ride, dirt, and park First dirt jumper I've built straight from frame and it looks beautiful I'd loose a nut before giving this thing up hah Definitely makes people want to be your friend cause your dirt jumper looks so clean Park rats turn their heads and people are always trying to get it off me
2011 Atomlab Trailking Bike
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Maxxis Ardent Tire
The Good
Amazing on loose dirt and slippery surfaces, good on wet ground, cool sound as the wheels are on pavement, strong sidewall impenetrable basically, I've thrown a lot at these tires and they haven't disappointed,
The Bad
Tires tend to clog up slightly when going through mud (most tires do)
Overall Review
The tires will not disappoint they will tackle any surface and won't disappoint, have a few minor things which isn't too bad, amazing grip and reliability
Maxxis Ardent Tire
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Ryders Eyewear Seventh Glasses
Vital Review
Tested: Ryders Eyewear Seventh Glasses
Overall Review
by Justin Schroth As with all gear that protects vital parts of our body, we might not realize how crucial it is until it’s not there protecting us. Dirt, rocks, debris, branches, and UV rays are your sensitive eyeballs' worst enemy, but there are drawbacks that turn most people off from rocking a pair of shades on the bike: uncomfortable frames that slip down, lenses that fog up every time you stop for a breather, or dark lenses that don’t transition well for those rides that extend as the sun
Ryders Eyewear Seventh Glasses
1
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Magura Vyron eLECT Dropper Seatpost
Overall Review
Feature by AJ Barlas // Photos by Colin Meagher, AJ Barlas and Fred Robinson The mountain bike world has reached a point where every brand is clamoring to produce a solid, reliable dropper post for today's increasingly popular trail riding segment. But with the market beginning to see a lot of great options, how can a brand differentiate themselves? Wireless? Electric? Sure! It’s certainly unique, and the idea of not having to feed yet another cable through the frame makes it pretty appealing
VP Components VP-Aim Flat Pedal
Vital Review
Tested: VP Aim Flat Pedals
Overall Review
Review by Nick Zuzelski // Action photo by Carl Gray Flat pedals come in all shapes and sizes these days, and almost every model boasts some feature that sets them apart. Those features will cost you a pretty penny, however. After having lots of luck with VP's higher end flat and clipless pedals in the past, we threw on a pair of their budget-minded Aim platforms and hit the trails. VP Aim Pedal Highlights Die-cast aluminum body Forged and heat treated CNC machined chromoly axle LSL and sealed
VP Components VP-Aim Flat Pedal
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2016 Orbea Rallon X30
Vital Review
Tested: 2016 Orbea Rallon X30
Overall Review
by Kevin Shiramizu Following a successful overhaul in 2014 , the Orbea Rallon sees a few minor geometry, suspension, and aesthetic tweaks for 2016. For this test we looked at their budget-oriented version, the X30. The 160mm travel bike is equipped with 27.5 wheels and aimed at those who like to smash everything except their bank account. The bike shares the same frame as Orbea's higher end Enduro World Series shredding models but for a lower price tag and with a bit more girth around the
2016 Orbea Rallon X30
3
1
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