2022 Scott Spark 910 Bike
Vital Review
Vital Test Sessions - Scott Spark 910
Overall Review
Jaded by years of analyzing mountain bikes claiming to reinvent the wheel, it’s not often we (Vital editors) find ourselves jaw dropped over a new bike. But when Scott launched their reimagined Spark last year, we could not stop admiring its futuristic design and next-level integration. And before you rush to the comments, we know the design mirrors countless similarities to frames from Scott-owned Bold Cycles. We daydream about their bikes, too. What makes the new Spark so exciting is Scott’s
2022 Scott Spark 910 Bike
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2021 Alchemy Arktos 120 XT 12-Speed 29 Bike
Overall Review
Colorado-based Alchemy Bikes have been producing premium carbon and titanium frames since 2008. Last year, they introduced the Arktos 120 , designed to be the perfect short-travel weapon that motors up climbs and promotes aggressive riding on the way back down. Utilizing Alchemy’s patented Sine Suspension system with only 120mm of rear-wheel travel matched with a 130mm fork, the Arktos 120 isn’t exactly a trail bike or a cross country bike. However, skimming over the component spec and geometry
2021 Alchemy Arktos 120 XT 12-Speed 29 Bike
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2021 Ibis Exie USA XT Bike
Vital Review
Vital MTB Test Sessions - Ibis Exie
Overall Review
As the first carbon bike to roll out of Ibis’ Santa Cruz, California facility, the Exie is a drool-worthy machine representing a commitment to developing the lightest, strongest, and most capable short-travel bike possible. The Exie may appear to be just another featherweight cross country bike, but with relaxed geometry that promotes stability and confidence, it refuses to be reduced to a one-trick pony. Tested as part of our Short Travel Test Session , the Exie was the lightest bike in the
2021 Ibis Exie USA XT Bike
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2019 Yeti SB100 TURQ X01 Race Eagle Bike
Rocket ship
The Good
Fast. Light. Shockingly capable with only 100mm
The Bad
Steep dimensions
Overall Review
The harder you push the better it performs. Aside from a few extra trips over the bars, it’s a down country rocket that allows you to cover a ton of miles and can handle plenty of chunky stuff when it needs to.
2019 Yeti SB100 TURQ X01 Race Eagle Bike
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PNW Components Pine Seatpost
Overall Review
L ooking back over the past 20 years or so, the dropper post has to be our favorite bike industry invention during that time…or maybe even ever. No other single component advancement has had such a profound impact on how you ride your bike on a trail, aside from maybe the whole concept of suspension. Being able to drop and raise your post at a moment’s notice adds a whole new dimension of “flow” to your riding. But what do you do if you don’t have access to the latest and greatest in terms of
PNW Components Pine Seatpost
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Hustle Avery REMtech Pedal
The Good
Can easily dismount and "clip-in". Shoe plates can't get clogged with dirt.
The Bad
A little expensive and heavy, but worth it.
Overall Review
I've been using these very weekend for about two months now and these are a game-changer for me. You don't have to worry about floating off of these pedals when catching air, like you do with flats. I tried SPD clipless and had some painful and spectacularly embarrassing crashes. With these, I've never had a problem getting my feet free when I needed to and "clipping in" is instantaneous and always successful on the first attempt. Even the most experienced clipless riders still miss clipping
Hustle Avery REMtech Pedal
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Hustle Avery REMtech Pedal
Overall Review
F or decades, riders have been forced to choose between flat pedals and “clipless” pedals. While pedal selection doesn’t elicit the same strength of emotions as the great wheel size debate or the e-bike discussion, many riders feel strongly about which style of pedal is superior. Other folks may be interested in clipping in but are intimidated by the inevitably painful learning curve. Perhaps another rider who has traditionally clipped in wants to try flats but is concerned with sacrificing
Hustle Avery REMtech Pedal
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FOX 38 E-Bike Factory GRIP2 Fork
Overall Review
E ver since a black and burly fork was spotted on Richie Rude’s Yeti back in 2019, the FOX 38 has become a common sight on lots of long travel, hard hitting bikes. Or should we say - rigs. The 38’s round lines, burly profile, gold sliders and impressive collection of knobs make it feel like a jewel out of the box - but don’t let the looks fool you, the 38 is down to work and it'll put in some after hours effort too if you'd like it to. To cater to the demands of electrified riders, the 38 now
FOX 38 E-Bike Factory GRIP2 Fork
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2022 Fezzari La Sal Peak Pro Bike
Vital Review
Long-Term Review - Fezzari La Sal Peak
Overall Review
I t’s a difficult time to be a mountain bike brand. Yes, demand for bikes has outpaced supply for years now, and yes, in many areas you can scarcely lift your head without seeing a high-end rig hanging off a tailgate or strapped to a hitch rack. But it’s also never been harder to build a bike that truly stands out. Suspension designs have become increasingly similar among brands since some well-known patents expired a few years ago. Designers are inching toward consensus on many aspects of
2022 Fezzari La Sal Peak Pro Bike
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Marzocchi Bomber Air Rear Shock
Overall Review
S uspension manufacturers are competing to develop the most advanced and tuneable rear shocks and deliver the highest performance to their factory riders. But, do most riders need race-driven highly customizable tuning options to experience transcendence on their mountain bikes? Nah. The all-new Marzocchi Bomber Air rear shock is everything you actually need in a high-performance shock and nothing that you can’t live without. We are certainly not knocking the performance of other high-end
Marzocchi Bomber Air Rear Shock
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