Latest Reviews of Mountain Bikes & Parts

2021 YT Jeffsy Core 3 29 Bike

Vital Review

“Vital Durability Review - YT Jeffsy Core 3”

When YT launched the revised Jeffsy platform in 2019, we were on hand for our First Ride report from the press camp. Since then we've tested the $2,399 Jeffsy 29 Base model and again, found it to be a stand-out performer, especially for the price. When YT released their latest Jeffsy Core offerings earlier this year, that Core label had us grinning. We have a test pilot who is the very type of rider that YT’s marketing efforts embrace. Young, eager to hit massive jumps without much regard for personal safety or equipment, Logan Brown is not the typical product reviewer and would be the perfect punisher to test out just how Read More »

Öhlins RXF38 m.2 Fork

Vital Review

“Is Bigger Better? All-New Öhlins RXF 38 m.2 Reviewed”

Last year, Öhlins signed a few new OEM agreements which saw their suspension products being specced on bikes from Mondraker, Commencal and Intense, among others. At the time, Öhlins also introduced a new, 38-mm singlecrown fork, but it was designed specifically for ebikes and made available as an OEM product only. Today, the company is releasing the brand new RXF 38 m.2, an aftermarket version of that fork that is suitable for regular old mountain bikes as well. We were fortunate enough to receive one a couple of months ago, so we’re here today to tell you all about how it performs. You can watch the review in video form Read More »

HT Components X2 Clipless Pedal

“HT X2 Pedlas”

The Good:

solid, secure

The Bad:

If you don't like a solid 'click' in and out, you won't like these

Overall Review: I've hammered a single paid of these for 4 years now, on three different bikes. They have held up great and although I'm now retiring them, the pair I have still work as designed. I replaced the cleats once in this period. The platform is big - biggest I've seen for clipless pedals, and, in cases where I couldn't get clipped in right away, putting my foot wiht the cleat just in front of the mechanism provided decent traction until I could get clipped back in. These pedals have a solid click and release - the opposite of crank brothers, and even more definded than Shimano. I like that, but not all people will. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair.

2020 Airborne Hob Goblin 29

“Airborne Hobgoblin”

The Good:

Price, weight

The Bad:

I'm still looking for bad

Overall Review: After three months of riding my Airborne Hobgoblin, I have no complaints. It climbs fantastic and descends like an xc bike. I had been riding a 2006 Superlight. I switched the NX shifter to a twist, mounted a Raceface seat and Thompson seatpost. The brake and shifting were great out of the box and continue to work well. Both wheels needed tightened and tensioned within a few rides, but that’s an issue on most wheelsets I’ve not built. Both Rockshoxs hold great pressure and keep me on the trail. All of the frame pivots are slop free. I thought lock-outs were dumb. They’re not, I use them both, to work on my spin on Read More »

2022 Norco Sight VLT C1 E-Bike

Vital Review

“Vital First Look - 2022 Norco Sight VLT C1”

Fitting into the all-mountain e-MTB category, Norco equips their third generation Sight VLT line with the latest Shimano EP8 motor and sets a new bar for potential range with an available 900Wh battery option. That’s right, a 900Wh battery! With an attention to spec and frame durability, the Sight VLT moves exclusively to the 29-inch wheel platform. It also features an updated chassis with a few geometry changes. The updated rear suspension kinematics and new horizontal shock placement creates easier access for shock adjustment and the ability to run two water bottle cages. Clean lines and angles make for a bike with Read More »

EXT ERA Fork

Vital Review

“New Tunable, High Performance Fork - EXT ERA Long Term Review”

EXTis an Italian suspension company with roots in automotive racing. They have also been making coil shocks for mountain bikes since 2014, and we had very good results testing their Storia V3 enduro shock last year. When they decided to try their hand at making a fork as well, we knew we had to give it a spin – and after running two different travel options on two different bikes over a period of 6 months, we’re here to let you know how we’ve been getting on. You can watch the review in video form below, or keep reading if you prefer that format. Strengths Weaknesses Highly adjustable Very stiff and robust construction Great Read More »

2021 Orbea Rise M-Team E-Bike

Vital Review

“Vital Long-Term Review - Orbea Rise E-Bike”

Orbea launched the new Rise e-bike last October and we were on hand for our First Ride review. In short, we were impressed. It took some time but a long-term test bike showed up. We've been putting the Orbea Rise M-Team through the paces and are ready to share our final conclusions on this game-changing eMTB. Highlights OMR Carbon frame 29-inch wheels 140mm (5.5-inches) of rear-wheel travel // 150mm (5.9-inches) fork travel Concentric Boost suspension design Tapered headtube Internal cable routing Shimano EP8 RS Motor - 60Nm torque 360Wh battery 252Wh range extender available ($599) Boost 148 rear spacing with 12mm Read More »

Hope Technology Fortus - Pro 4 Wheelset

“$600 Bombproof Reliability”

The Good:

- Strength
- Quality
- Stiffness
- Precision Feel
- Durability

The Bad:

- Weight
- Low Inventory Stock

Overall Review: INTRODUCTION The Hope Fortus 30 wheelset was never under my radar when I first began to look for new wheels. Like most riders, my eyes were drawn to the fancy Industry Nine, ENVE, NOBL wheelsets costing an arm and a leg. I dreamed of their colorful hub and spoke options laced onto their carbon rims perfectly matching my bike. However, like many of us out there, spending thousands on a wheelset isn’t always an option. That’s when I discovered the newly released, Fortus 30 wheelset by Hope. Strong rims… check, good hubs… check, cool colors… check. I quickly placed my order for $600 and soon I was out for my Read More »

2021 Pivot Mach 6 Pro XT/XTR Coil

Vital Review

“Vital Tested - Pivot Mach 6 Pro XT/XTR Coil”

In aerospace definitions, Mach is the ratio of an object’s speed to the speed of sound. Pivot’s Mach 6 absolutely blitzes the trail with a sonic boom, falling somewhere within the hypersonic category of fun. With nothing to hide on smaller 27.5 wheels, the Pivot Mach 6 puts it all out on the table. This bike is not shy about holding a line in unpredictably loose, steep, and challenging terrain. We couldn’t find anything to slow down this rowdy trail-loving, downhill precision missile. It managed to hold decent speed when we slammed it into the occasional teeth-gritting uphill sprint that would typically bring your Read More »

2021 Orbea Oiz H30 Bike

“Good but could be better..”

The Good:

Rides good, smooth ride, good components for the price. Looks amazing.

The Bad:

No dropper post, tires are not TLR(tubeless ready).

Overall Review: This is more of an initial review not a long term review- This bike for the cost at the time I got it $2799 did not come with the standard list that cheaper bikes come with, it has no dropper post, the tires are mainly cheap and not tubeless ready. I feel like if Canyon can do all of that on a Neuron 5 for $1999, Orbea easily could have included them on this bike. Do not get me wrong this is a great bike but I feel Orbea dropped the ball in terms of what it comes with for that price point. I will come back later with a date posted for a long term review..