Test Sessions

During the Vital MTB 27.5 DH Test Sessions, the UNNO Ever went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Ever. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights 27.5-inch wheels Carbon frame with high-gloss, self-healing finish Only 50 bikes produced per year, by hand, in Barcelona 200mm (7.9-inches) front and rear travel Dual-link suspension design Integrated frame protection throughout Internal cable routing with inner guides and rubber port seals Rubber seal on seatpost collar...

During the Vital MTB 27.5 DH Test Sessions, the Specialized Demo 8 went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Demo 8. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights 27.5-inch wheels Asymmetric carbon frame 200mm (7.9-inches) front and rear travel FSR suspension design with concentric main pivot/bottom bracket Lipped and sealed cartridge pivot bearings Integrated frame protection throughout // Additional paint protection included Internal/external rear brake routing options...

During the Vital MTB 27.5 DH Test Sessions, the Pivot Phoenix went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Phoenix. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights 27.5-inch wheels Carbon frame 204mm (8.0-inches) rear travel // 200mm (7.9-inches) front dw-link suspension design 9.5x3.0-inch shock with sag indicator Air shock suggested due to clevis design Internal cable routing with cable port system Integrated frame protection throughout Press fit bottom bracket with ISCG 05...

During the Vital MTB 27.5 DH Test Sessions, the Norco Aurum HSP went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Aurum HSP. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights Available in 27.5 (tested) and 29-inch models Carbon frame with size-scaled tubing 200mm (7.9-inches) front and rear travel High single-pivot suspension design with an idler pulley Metric trunnion shock with bearings 225x75mm (27.5) // 225x70mm (29) rear shock Gravity Tune: Chainstay length increases...

During the Vital MTB 27.5 DH Test Sessions, the Canyon Sender went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Sender. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights 27.5-inch wheels Carbon front end // 6066 T6 aluminum rear triangle 200mm (7.9-inches) front and rear travel MX Link suspension design with industrial bearings and sag monitor Adjustable chainstay length and head angle (included headset cups) // Six distinct geometry options Integrated frame protection throughout //...

During the 2018 Vital MTB Long-Travel 29er Test Sessions, the Trek Slash went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Slash. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights OCLV Mountain carbon main frame and seatstays, alloy chainstays 29-inch wheels 150mm (5.9-inches) of rear wheel travel // 160mm (6.3-inches) fork travel EVO link suspension with ABP (Active Braking Pivot) Trunnion style 230x57.5mm Metric shock with RE:aktiv and Thru Shaft Straight Shot frame design with...

During the 2018 Vital MTB Long-Travel 29er Test Sessions, the Transition Sentinel went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Sentinel. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights Aluminum frame 29-inch wheels 140mm (5.5-inches) of rear wheel travel // 160mm (6.3-inches) fork travel GiddyUp 2.0hh suspension Trunnion style 205x57.5mm Metric shock Shorter 44mm offset fork Molded rubber chainstay and downtube protection Rattle-free internal cable port covers External rear...

During the 2018 Vital MTB Long-Travel 29er Test Sessions, the Specialized Enduro Coil 29 went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Enduro. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights FACT IS-X 11m carbon frame 29-inch wheels 160mm (6.3-inches) of front and rear wheel travel FSR suspension Custom shock size and mount Flip chip adjustable geometry Roval Traverse Carbon wheels SWAT down tube storage and hidden SWAT CC tool Fully enclosed internal cable routing Compatible...

During the 2018 Vital MTB Long-Travel 29er Test Sessions, Evil's The Wreckoning went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to The Wreckoning. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights Uni-directional carbon frame 29-inch wheels 161mm (6.3-inches) of rear wheel travel // 160mm (6.3-inches) fork travel DELTA System suspension Various 216x63mm shock upgrades available Flip chip adjustable geometry Internal cable routing Integrated 30% sag meter Downtube, seatstay and chainstay...

During the 2018 Vital MTB Long-Travel 29er Test Sessions, the Orbea Rallon went head-to-head with four other leading bikes. What follows are our thoughts specific to the Rallon. Be sure to check out the main feature for an in-depth comparison video, timed testing results, and more. Highlights Orbea Monocoque Race carbon frame 29-inch wheels 150mm (5.9-inches) of rear wheel travel // 160mm (6.3-inches) fork travel Advanced Dynamics suspension with concentric rear axle/pivot Offset Metric 230x60mm shock Shorter 44mm offset fork Adjustable geometry Internal cable routing Threaded bottom bracket...

Hello everyone! I got a chance to do a ride review on one of my bucket list bikes – the Evil Wreckoning. Man is this a DH monster. I could honestly see myself slapping a DH fork on this and just having it be my DH bike. It was that good. Anyways, check it out and let me know what you think. If you have a Wreckoning, let me know if my thoughts mirror yours or if you have any advice on set up to make climbing a little better. Considering this as my next bike.

NOTE: This is not a Vital Review, I am simply following the format, as I think it is well structured, and would like to use it to allow a common read of a review. So a few weeks back Transition released a video detailing their new SBG geometry, (seen HERE) where they described how lengthening the top tubes, and increasing seat-tube angle can improve rider. But the thing that really peaked my interested was the last item integral to SBG, the reduction of fork offset from 56mm to a 44mm offset. As described in the video, this is suppose to improve stability and assist with cornering, as it...

Hey Vital MTBers, Jeff Brines here! This is not a formal review like I am accustom to doing, just some thoughts on my personal bike – a 2018 Trek Slash 9.8. Yes, this is the bike I paid for and chose as my race bike going into next season (even though I'm not sure how much I'll be racing in the first place). For a guy like me the bike seemed to check most of the boxes – stiff, good suspension kinematics, fits me well (long), bottom bracket that will minimize pedal strikes even running 175mm cranks, and numbers that may prove worthy of a reduced offset fork. Fun stuff! Please don't miss the...