Tested

Vital MTB Test Sessions: Five Slack, Short-Travel 29er Mountain Bikes Reviewed (feature story)

Posted by bturman on 2/24/2020 7:00 AM

Downcountry, underbike, upduro... whatever you want to call it, it’s a different breed of mountain bike. For 2020, the Juliana Joplin and its twin brother, the Santa Cruz Tallboy, are among a handful of exciting new-school, super slacked-out, short-travel (125mm max) 29ers. The fourth-generation...

Posted by csteen on 2/17/2020 6:33 PM

The Good:

When CrankBrothers announced that the Highline would be the post to redeem them, I figured it would be worth the gamble. After all, if it failed, CrankBrothers would be finished. Their reputation was on the line. (On that note, we could talk all day about SRAM Guide brakes, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.) I am happy to report that after four years of moderate use, the only problem I had was a weak actuator return spring, which they rectified free of charge with an updated part. My post is as smooth as day 1. It has even developed a top-out clunk! Never thought that would be a feature, but when it started happening, I was very excited. I also really appreciate the fact that the barrel end of the cable attaches to the base of the post and not the lever. This makes install and removal so much easier, all droppers should be configured this way.

The Bad:

The stock Highline lever, while extremely adjustable, has a few problems. First, the infinite adjustability is murder for an OCD like me. I was constantly fiddling with it. Second, it had some friction in the action, which was contributing to the post’s internal actuator not closing all the way when releasing the lever, leading to post creep. I crashed and broke the lever last year, so I replaced it with a PNW Loam lever, which solved both those issues. With the much-smoother Loam lever I can now feel the actuation of the post and have greater control, and because it has no position adjustment other than bar rotation, I can forget about placement.

Overall Review: Minus a few flaws, which I have detailed above, CrankBrothers made a real winner of a post. I’m extremely happy with mine. The aluminum collar is even a perfect match for my raw Canfield Balance frame.

Posted by eicca on 2/14/2020 1:35 PM

The Good:

Lowest stack height
One of the lighter options
Cable clamps at lever
Price
User serviceable and easily replaceable cartridge
Feels solid
Seat clamp head

The Bad:

Not as smooth post action as other posts

Overall Review: So far so good. Only 3x rides in but with the 180mm drop at something like ~530grams I'm stoked on having a full 7+ inch drop without the added weight. Definitely doesn't feel quite as smooth or rock solid as the KS LEV Integra, but works as advertised and it's user-serviceable as one of the ch...

Posted by metalmike on 2/13/2020 10:51 PM

OneUp Components Dropper V2 Seatpost (product)

Stay Warm! Fox Racing Cold-Weather MTB Gear Review (feature story)

Posted by bturman on 2/5/2020 7:06 PM

2020 Pivot Switchblade Pro XT/XTR 29 (product)

Vital MTB's 2016 Bike of the Year went to the previous Pivot Switchblade. How do you improve on that? Give it a few years and some fresh ideas. With 142mm of rear travel and 160mm up front, this all-new 2020 version one-ups its predecessor pretty much across the board. Join Vital MTB's Produc...

Posted by bturman on 2/3/2020 3:47 PM

With the promise of both turning heads and delivering a better ride experience, the latest trailing multi-link front suspension platform from Trust Performance is designed for aggressive trail and enduro mountain bikes. Join Zach Petersen, a rider known for his speed on a bike and the Tra...

Posted by TrailPeek on 1/30/2020 1:44 PM

Trust Performance Shout Fork (product)

2020 Juliana Joplin X01 Carbon CC Bike (product)

Marzocchi Z1 Coil Fork (product)

Afew years ago, Marzocchi resurrected the Z1 to much anticipation. While damper technology has moved on from the open-bath systems of old, there was disappointment in some circles that the coils of the original fork were passed up in favor of a standard FOX air spring – Marzocchi's parent compan...

Posted by LTrumpore on 1/10/2020 5:17 PM

Onyx MTB Rear Hub (product)

There's ZERO noise, too. When you all you can hear is tires ripping into turns it's truly an awesome sensation. You start to pick up on things you wouldn't otherwise notice, like the sounds of your surroundings or that floppy cable you should probably address. Just be mindful when coming up o...

Posted by bturman on 1/2/2020 11:45 AM

RockShox MegNeg Upgrade Kit (product)

Introduced alongside the Lyrik Ultimate fork and Charger 2.1 damper update, the MegNeg air can kit more than doubles today's already large negative volumes. This results in a noticeable and tunable boost of mid- and end-stroke support (and a lot more pumping). Join Vital MTB's Produc...

Posted by bturman on 12/30/2019 5:02 PM

There is no shortage of carbon wheel options today. Regardless of price point, you are sure to find a range of choices, from generic catalog rims to super-specialty items that cost as much as a good full suspension bike. Four Four Three is taking the middle road with the Dissident, supplying a w...

Posted by iceman2058 on 12/24/2019 6:51 AM

Four Four Three Dissident Complete Wheel (product)

Bontrager Line Pro 30 TLR Boost Wheels (product)

Hope Technology 35W Wheels (product)

Hope Technology Tech 3 E4 Hydraulic Disc Brake (product)

The Rocky Mountain Slayer has been a mainstay for the Canadian brand for nearly 20 years. Throughout that time it has played the role of Rocky Mountain’s heavy-hitting trail bike, however in recent years it has fallen out of favor with many and the Altitude BC Edition became the brand's flagship...

Posted by hurricanejoel on 12/17/2019 6:24 AM

Crankbrothers F15 Multi-Tool (product)

Airborne Bicycles, the direct-to-consumer bike brand out of Ohio, has been in the game for over twenty years and for 2020, they have a new, 27.5-inch-wheeled enduro bike dubbed the Plague. Airborne has always focused on affordable two-wheelers and considering the $2,699 price tag of the Plague, ...

Posted by k.shiz on 12/13/2019 11:01 AM

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to spend some time aboard Zipp’s 3ZERO MOTO wheelset. While our initial impressions were mostly positive, we knew that a more thorough test was required to offer an educated opinion on whether or not Zipp’s claims of compliance and traction were marketing...

Posted by hurricanejoel on 12/13/2019 10:28 AM

e*thirteen TRS+ 11-Speed Cassette (product)

We’ve already spent a lot of time on OneUp’s droppers and we know that they deliver awesome performance at a good price point. But these days, more is always better, so to create v2 OneUp went back to the drawing board and added this whopping long 210mm version to their arsenal of slippery slide...

Posted by iceman2058 on 12/5/2019 5:40 AM

Race Face Next R Wheelset (product)

Race Face Next R Crankset (product)