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2024 Norco Range VLT C1 E-Bike

Overall Review

2 024 has brought big changes to Norco. After a few stale years post-COVID slowdown, they've revamped much of their line-up for this year. While some brands are cutting spending and trying to keep their heads above water, Norco has taken a bold approach and developed a whole bunch of new models. Included in this revitalization phase is a ground-up revision of the Range VLT. Norco has been investing heavily in high-pivot suspension designs, and the big-hitting e-bike is evidence of that. Going

2024 Norco Range VLT C1 E-Bike

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WayneP

7/19/2024 7:00am

Trickstuff Direttissima Disc Brakes

Overall Review

I n the world of costly bike parts, Trickstuff has always had a special aura around it. Unapologetically dedicated to building the finest brakes money can buy, this German company makes a premium product and charges a pretty penny for it. We wanted to look past the sticker shock to find out if they also deliver value for money – keep reading to find out how we’ve been getting along with the Direttissima. Strengths Weaknesses Incredibly well-made product Smooth action Great ergonomics Very

Trickstuff Direttissima Disc Brakes

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iceman2058

7/17/2024 8:33am

2021 Canyon Sender 5 Bike

c120 photo 405650.jpg?VersionId=eJope8dYpa8dNaU

The Good

The bike is very nimble and plush if you upgrade few parts. And the bike is farely light, lighter then the sister carbon fiber models. The bike is perfect for gnarly rock gardens and flowy jump trails. I had Sender CFs but I hated the progressive feel of the MX links and the air shock. Aluminum version dumped mx links and added coil shocks resulting more linear and plush with better support in the mid travel.

The Bad

The Select dampers on the front and rear are terrible. Unable to tune the compression speed, the bike height stays very low on the descents. This throws you over the bar all the time. Adding air pressure and tokens only gives you harsher ride. The only way to fix this problem is by exchanging the damper to Charger2.1. High and low compressions setup to the right speed, the bike is very nimble and plush. And also the Sram Guide RE brakes are not the best brakes. Fingers and arm muscles suffer after every ride. Upgrading to Shimano XT brakes or better will help.

Overall Review

With few upgrades(dampers, brakes, tubeless) the bike feels very nimble and plush. The bike feels light and controllable on both technical descents and flowy jump trails. The sizing is somewhat out dated. Consider getting one size larger. (Reach M:440, L:460mm)

2021 Canyon Sender 5 Bike

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백철준

7/15/2024 7:16am

2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 Shimano Bike

Overall Review

In March, Rocky Mountain pulled back the veil on their latest Instinct trail bike. After a few years of sharing frames with its more capable big brother, the Altitude, the Instinct regained its independence with a dedicated and revised chassis. Complete with internal storage, a grip of geometry adjustments, and a proven suspension layout, Rocky aimed to give riders the do-it-all trail bike that could adapt to any terrain or rider preference. We spent the past four months finding out what's on

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2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 Shimano Bike

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Jason_Schroeder

7/9/2024 7:00am

Cascade Components V2 Hightower MX Link

c120 Cascade Components V2 Hightower Mullet Link

The Good

It worked well for 3 years until it didn’t and I hit a minor little jumb and crashed. At least they said they evaluated who knows maybe it sat in the box for three weeks until they sent it back guess I should be glad they sent frame back without damaging it. The cascade link box was never taken out of the box never untaped original tape never cut

The Bad

Cascade link went over center over compressed rear shock jamb rear tire against seatpost I went over the bars took 3 mechanics to pull it out sent link and Hightower carbon frame to cascade for evaluation and they could not find anything wrong except minor bearing wear and they sent all it back said tuff luck pal we can’t find any fault with our product. Lesson learned Factory engineers design frames best not to try to make a frame travel further than it was designed for! Now I’m stuck with a damaged $4k carbon frame front triangle. I changed Hightower back to Santa Cruz standard link to be safe. I have videos without shock on that I sent to cascade that they could see how link allows over traveling and head of rear shock mount bolt to gouge into frame and jamb tight hmu if you want the video

Overall Review

Poor quality link never buying from cascade components ever again link caused accident

original Cascade Components V2 Hightower Mullet Link

Cascade Components V2 Hightower MX Link

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ralph14836

7/5/2024 12:58pm

Specialized Turbo Levo SL S-Works E-Bike Frame

The Good

Incredibly lightweight for an e-bike
Comes with a range extender
Quality of the frame (tube in tube for cable and hose routing!!)

The Bad

The price of a frame set
Some may be put off by the rather loud sound of the motor

Overall Review

I got the frame set as a bargain from a black Friday sale, built it up with Hope parts, PNW dropper and specialized rubber/ seat. Tube in Tube made routing the cables and hoses a treat, no special tools required. I was really amazed that it came with a range extender (usually around 500€). It rides amazing, up and down. The motor is pretty strong for a light e-bike and I have to admit I've so far not used up the battery of the bike + range extender. Usually for my rides the bikes battery

Specialized Turbo Levo SL S-Works E-Bike Frame

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Lukas_Nehrer

7/4/2024 1:00pm

Privateer 161 Frame

The Good

+ Geometry
+ Overbuilt (strong and long-lasting)
+ Dropper insertion
+ Build simplicity
+ Price for performance

The Bad

- Overbuilt (heavyweight)
- Details (raw machining, sharp edges against housing)
- Poor chain protection
- Some shocks very close to the bottle

Overall Review

Geometry is on point with numbers close to a DH rig with a headtube angle at 64° and reach per height pretty advanced. At 1.83m (6") on P3 size (490mm reach) it felt stable and composed when railing corners, but the bike is mostly rewarding at high speeds. Suspension is great overall, just the beginning of the stroke can feel a bit harsh but can be altered with a coil shock. It felt composed on rooty sections like it was his best terrain. The long chainstays and steep seattube (75.49° on P3)

Privateer 161 Frame

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qblambda

7/4/2024 1:02am

2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Pro Bike

93325-10 SJ-15-PRO-GRNTNT-GUN-METSLPHR HERO-PDP

Overall Review

I would consider the Stumpjumper the benchmark for a mountain bike. Maybe it hasn't been the most exciting or revolutionary bike, but it's always done everything really, really well. And as the trail, all-mountain, whatever-you-want-to-call-it-segment has grown denser and murkier, the Stumpjumper has consistently remained a trendsetter and pack leader. From rider-centric sizing to internal frame storage to adjustable geometry—the Stumpy helped usher in many of the features we expect to find on

93325-10 SJ-15-PRO-GRNTNT-GUN-METSLPHR HERO-PDP.jpeg?VersionId=9lRuFexRZYWZlulyS

2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Pro Bike

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Jason_Schroeder

7/2/2024 9:00am

2023 Transition Relay Carbon X0 AXS PNW E-Bike

The Good

Feels like a normal mtb maybe a little heavier, feels way better than my full power ebike. Battery keeps weight down. If I am doing laps will just buy another battery.
"7.5 rear is awesome easy to manual and flickable, so fun so light.
People miss the point of the bike, and its battery its lightweight if you want to go for an all day spin or laps you can bring or stash a battery.

Another good point if the battery dies, it rides like a normal bike. Try riding your normal ebike up a hill when the battery dies.

The Bad

Ring controller is exposed on the handlebar as in if you put the bike upside down on its bars its exposed and weight will be on it.

Overall Review

Its an awesome bike, the ability to switch the lightweight battery out is the way to go. Speciallized has a battery extener for their bikes which is silly because then you have to carry all that weight. Laps on your favourite trails are awesome, just buy another battery. Geo is great and proper sizing too an xxl is actuall xxl. coil rear, fox up front is buttery smooth win win!

2023 Transition Relay Carbon X0 AXS PNW E-Bike

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sloth

7/1/2024 7:38am

OneUp Components V3 Dropper Seatpost

OneUp-Components V3Dropper FullRange 1200x

Overall Review

OneUp has built up a well-deserved reputation as makers of a quality dropper post over the years, and we’ve had excellent results with every iteration of it so far. They released the all-new version three a couple of months ago, so of course we had to put it to the test. Keep reading to find out how we’ve been getting along with it. Strengths Weaknesses Compact dimensions, adjustable travel Light weight Lighter actuation now, easier to modulate Reliable, easy to service Fast return speed Price

OneUp Components V3 Dropper Seatpost

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iceman2058

6/22/2024 1:56am