Browse product groups:

Latest Product Reviews

Rss
Subscribe to Latest Product Reviews
2021 Canyon Stoic 4 Bike
Vital Review
Canyon Stoic 4 Hardtail Long-Term Review
c120 photo 90392
Overall Review
When Canyon announced the aluminum Stoic hardtail on December 8, 2020, we immediately hit them up to see if we could get one to test. The price, the spec and the geometry looked fantastic, and we’re always stoked to see what an *affordable* mountain bike can do. Strengths Price Looks great Fork spec External rear brake line routing - no bleeding Decent hub engagement 170mm dropper on our medium Solid trail geometry Versatility Weaknesses Wheel / tire / rotational weight Tires too aggressive for
Read More
original photo 90392.jpg?VersionId=s
2021 Canyon Stoic 4 Bike
5
14
Vital Rating:
Rate review:
5
Add comment
sspomer
10/17/2021 9:39am
2021 Canyon Neuron:ON 8 E-Bike
Poor investment
c120 photo 563569
The Good
Looks beautiful
The Bad
Looks are deceiving from the overall performance of the bike
Overall Review
Bought this bike in March and its just been constant issues. With covid never brought it on a trail yet so its been strictly a road bike but the issues have been ridiculous. 1. Originally it was sent to me direct from canyon without the correct adaptor so I couldn't even charge it straight away. 2. The shimano brakes front and back were horrendous. Needed replacing nearly 2 weeks after purchase. 3. The battery output went from 100% to around 70% (from feel) in a couple of weeks and the walk
Read More
original photo 563569.jpg?VersionId=yzw
2021 Canyon Neuron:ON 8 E-Bike
Member Rating:
Rate review:
Add comment
JohnnyH1991
10/13/2021 5:54am
Specialized Tactic Helmet
Vital Review
Tested - New Specialized Tactic Helmet
c120 2022 Specialized Tactic Helmet
Overall Review
Today is a good day for mountain bikers that want greater performance at a more attainable price. Specialized seems to have made a one-two punch with its new Stumpjumper EVO alloy and the all-new Tactic helmet. We sent the Stumpjumper EVO alloy to Arizona for a proper flogging and a new RAW edit, whilst the Tactic stayed in-house. Big waves are often made with the launch of high-end equipment. However, it seems in these past few seasons, the lower, to mid-priced gear is cause for greater
Read More
original 2022 Specialized Tactic Helmet.png?VersionId=aL2Jsqkfa1RwOuW4fTY84eIK.y6D8
Specialized Tactic Helmet
2
1
Vital Rating:
Rate review:
2
Add comment
BHowell
10/12/2021 7:33am
2022 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Elite Alloy Bike
Vital Review
Tested - 2022 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Alloy Elite
c120 Stumpjumper EVO Elite Alloy.jpg?VersionId=YNQeB27Jx5.
Overall Review
Specialized's new Stumpjumper EVO Alloy is an exciting mountain bike. The combination of a well-put-together parts spec, with all of the adjustability and capability of the carbon model, at a more competitive price point, is something riders have been asking for. The new alloy version of the Stumpjumper EVO Elite offers arguably the most bang for your buck out of the lineup. With the focus being primarily on performance rather than weight savings, this bike may be the way to go. While previous
Read More
original Stumpjumper EVO Elite Alloy
2022 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Elite Alloy Bike
8
21
Vital Rating:
Rate review:
8
Add comment
Jonathon Simonetti
10/12/2021 4:45am
Banshee Titan V3 (2019-2021) Frame
Vital Review
Vital Test Sessions - Banshee Titan
c120 photo 237356
Overall Review
Banshee is a brand with some serious street cred. Whether you are a loyal Banshee owner or have only heard the name, this is a brand the commands respect. The Titan may not have the most travel, only 155mm, but Banshee was confident it would hold its own in our Test Session. Utilizing Banshee's KS2 linkage on full bearings, the Titan is claimed to deliver an efficient ride that will still blast the descents. Strengths Carries speed incredibly well Makes excellent use of suspension travel
Read More
original photo 237356
Banshee Titan V3 (2019-2021) Frame
4
11
Rate review:
4
Add comment
BHowell
9/30/2021 10:24am
2022 Orbea Rallon M-LTD Bike
Vital Review
Vital Test Sessions - Orbea Rallon
c120 2022 Orbea Rallon M LTD
Overall Review
Orbea's new Rallon was among the brand-new bikes we had earmarked for Test Sessions before it was ever launched. When we started reaching out to brands at the start of the year, Orbea told us they would "have something" to submit. Fast forward through the bike madness that was this year and here we are with Orbea's latest and greatest rendition of the Rallon. It proved itself a capable performer in our last long-travel 29er test, was it up for a repeat performance? Strengths Pedaling efficiency
Read More
original 2022 Orbea Rallon M LTD
2022 Orbea Rallon M-LTD Bike
1
11
Rate review:
1
Add comment
BHowell
9/30/2021 9:14am
2021 Trek Top Fuel 9.8 GX AXS Bike
Awesome Bike, Bad Rims
c120 photo 829814
The Good
I use this bike for XC trails and some mild trail riding around Richmond, VA. The trails I ride are fast, flowy, and smooth with a few small jumps sprinkled in and some mellow rock gardens. The bike has felt incredible on the trails. It's stable at speed, excellent at the climbs, and doesn't shy away from some air time.
The Bad
I do think there are areas that could certainly use improvement. First and foremost, the carbon rims. I have owned and ridden the bike for a month. The trails I typically ride would not cause a person riding a full rigid bike much discomfort. Unfortunately, the Bontrager rim failed and cracked. Fortunately, the rims is covered by warranty. With the current state of the industry, a new one is not available until February. Obviously, this is a massive bummer because that means I have to wait six months to ride a bike I have had for one month. Now, I am a seasoned rider and definitely do not shy away from using a bike to it's full capacity. I do not believe I was using the Trek beyond its capabilities and strongly believe that the rim should have held up to the type of riding I was doing on it. It's possible that my rim was simply defective, but that is a fault that cannot be ignored and is worth noting. Hind sight being 20/20, I would have placed CushCore on the rims before ever riding it. The extra 150 bucks would have been worth the estimated six months off the bike I currently face. Beyond the rim, I think the XR3 tires are not the best in terms of grip or strength. Likewise, having extra hard points on the frame to mount accessories would have been nice.
Overall Review
The bike has been fantastic and I would recommend it. It's a blast to ride when it has wheels!
Read More
original photo 829814.jpg?VersionId=.IWydFNI8zhzFj
2021 Trek Top Fuel 9.8 GX AXS Bike
Member Rating:
Rate review:
Add comment
TUMAMA97
9/30/2021 8:26am
2022 Devinci Spartan Carbon GX Bike
Vital Review
Vital Test Sessions - Devinci Spartan HP
c120 2022 Devinci Spartan Carbon GX Gloss Secret Blue.jpg?VersionId=98Pz.aHKnKPaKJPtJYo1MDLWRfu10Xg
Overall Review
Devinci's new Spartan High Pivot (HP) launched the day our Test Sessions began. Devinci's enduro racers have been using the Spartan platform to take on the Enduro World Series for some time. It was with their feedback that the Spartan moved to a high pivot bike, still utilizing the Split Pivot design. The main focus with the Spartan HP was to make a bike that was more comfortable at speed and could still move about the mountain efficiently. Strengths Makes rough terrain disappear Cool, calm
Read More
original 2022 Devinci Spartan Carbon GX Gloss Secret Blue
2022 Devinci Spartan Carbon GX Bike
2
9
Rate review:
2
Add comment
BHowell
9/29/2021 12:47pm
2021 Transition Spire Carbon GX Bike
Vital Review
Vital Test Sessions - Transition Spire
c120 2021 Transition Spire Carbon with GX build Huckleberry
Overall Review
The Spire is Transition's newest, and biggest bike to date. Despite having less travel than the TR-11 (Transition's downhill bike), its wheelbase is longer. Numbers aside, Transition has billed this bike as more of an all-rounder and ready to party in the woods, as is the Bellingham brand's moniker. Was Transition able to perform some sort of wizardry and make those numbers shrink once on dirt? We couldn't wait to find out. Strengths Rides like a smaller bike Comfortable on the climbs Lively
Read More
original 2021 Transition Spire Carbon with GX build Huckleberry.jpeg?VersionId=Aok6WTOFdoyXC
2021 Transition Spire Carbon GX Bike
3
16
Rate review:
3
Add comment
BHowell
9/29/2021 8:39am
2021 Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana Rally Like Barelli Signature Bike
Vital Review
Vital Test Sessions - Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana
c120 photo 968003
Overall Review
Guerrilla Gravity is a Colorado-based outfit that is manufacturing its frames in-house. They use a material called Revved Carbon and a proprietary method to form the front ends. GG also takes a modular approach to frames. Riders can swap out the rear of their bikes to achieve more travel or alter the wheel size. As of right now, the Gnarvana is only available as a full 29er. Strengths Comfortable at high speeds Suspension feel through rough terrain High threshold for the gnar Weaknesses Tight
Read More
original photo 968003
2021 Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana Rally Like Barelli Signature Bike
1
1
12
Rate review:
1
1
Add comment
BHowell
9/29/2021 8:31am