Shootout: Trailbikes for the rougher side of the mountain.
The trailbike category casts a wide net over the mountain. It can
include anything from sub- 25-pound carbon fiber creations to 32- pound
downhillers in disguise. There are amazing $5000 trailbikes and good $899
trailbikes. We corralled five popular trailbikes designed to handle the tougher
trails on the mountain. These bikes are for riders who live for the downhill
and technical sections and are therefore willing to pedal a little extra weight
up the hill. That weight, they feel, is a fair trade-off for grippy tires,
serious brakes, thru-axle forks and components that don’t mind being roughed
up. Our five bikes retail for around $3000, so while you won’t find a carbon
fiber frame among the group—and only one that uses carbon fiber stays— that
price allows these bikes to be built with quality components that should need
little, if any, upgrading. The MBA wrecking crew approached this like
all of our bike shootouts. Each bike was ridden over an extended period and put
through the paces on familiar test loops. Once that portion of the test was
completed, we threw them all into Big Red and headed for the OK Corral (in this
case, Space Mountain in Newbury Park, California). Judgment day. Each bike was
ridden on a circuit and graded in 12 categories. When the dust had settled at
the end of a very long day, we had an overall winner. Now we can tell you
exactly which of these bikes is best for what you want to do.
The Giant Reign 1
Giant hit on a great thing with their Maestro rear suspension design.
After years of struggling with different systems that all had issues, Maestro
is so versatile and trail ready that it can be found on everything from their
cross-country race offering to their long-travel trailbike. Its application on
the Reign 1 is purely organic. It looks like the bike grew out of the system.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
Giant has an advantage over everyone else in this shootout because their
frame tubes come from material made in their own forging facility. This
proprietary aluminum alloy is claimed to be 30 percent stiffer than traditional
6061-series aluminum. The Reign uses an oversized, tapered head tube and fork
steerer tube; you won’t find a gusset on this frame. The tube set is engineered
to eliminate the need for them.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
Giant delivers the goods in this sub-$3000 package. The Fox 32 Float RL
fork has a 15QR thru-axle matched with a Fox Float RP2 Boost valve shock with
XV sleeve (that stands for extra volume). The drivetrain is handled by Shimano
SLX components, and braking power comes from Avid Elixir 5 disc brakes. The
cable routing is intelligent. DT Swiss wheels are wrapped with Kenda Nevegal
tires. If you have a wish list of components you want to upgrade to, we bet it
reads a lot like this bike’s spec sheet.
WHAT DID THE CREW SAY?
• Tires may be too wide for some, but they add to the aggressive feel.
• This one gets the plushness award.
• Front end wanders a bit on steep climbs.
• Quick handling, yet stable
at speed.
• The rougher the terrain, the better this bike performs.
• Bars are narrow for this kind of riding.
• Rear end stays active under
braking.
• This thing is noisy.
• Giant-branded components not on par with
others.
• Kenda Nevegal tires getting long in the tooth.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
Slap a chainstay protector on the bike. That should quiet the rear end a
bit. A wider bar and something like ODI or A’ME grips would be a nice addition
to the cockpit, as would a slightly more trailbike-oriented saddle. Converting
those wheels to tubeless will shave a little weight and eliminate tube
pinching.
BUYING ADVICE
The Giant ranked number two in the descending skills category, and isn’t
that what this class is all about? Of course, you have to be able to get to the
top of the mountain, and the Giant was second in that category too (although
second to another bike). The only things hurting the bike’s overall score were
noise, the cockpit spec and tire selection, all of which are easily remedied.
If you look at the two most important categories—climbing and descending—and
can live with or improve the weak spots, you’ve got a winner.
GT Force 2.0
The least expensive bike in our group, the GT Force 2.0, certainly
doesn’t look cheap. It has major curb appeal, with a frame devoid of sharp
edges and enough bling to hold your attention long enough for the salesman to
lift the wallet from your rear pocket.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
While most of the frame tubes are hydroformed, a close inspection of the
top tube reveals it is a monocoque construction (in essence, two shells welded
together). An aluminum- shell gusset is used to add strength to the downtube
where the main suspension pivot and seat tube join. The rear suspension is GT’s
“Independent Drivetrain,” and the company has increased the system’s strength
and rigidity by employing a forged I-link. Up front, you get an oversized,
tapered head tube.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
The GT is the only bike in the shootout to come with an
adjustable-height seatpost (the X Fusion Hilo), and it comes with the remote
lever on the handlebar to actuate it. Other features include a WTB Devo Comp
saddle, GT co-molded Lock Down grips and meaty Maxxis Ardent tires. The SRAM
Matchmaker clamp is a welcome addition, as it coordinates the Avid brake lever
and SRAM shifter, giving the bars a clean look.
WHAT DID THE CREW SAY?
• Love these tires, but GT doesn’t leave any room to go bigger.
• Getting the rear wheel on and off is a real pain.
• The suspension
feels harsh, even running with 30-percentsag, and then it has a tendency to blow through its travel when hitting hard.
• The X Fusion post hung up and got noisy.
• The stem
is a good length, but watch the stem cap, deadly sharp.
• The seatpost’s saddle clamp moved under hard G-outs.
• Give me a riser
bar, please.
• Adequate climber that carries its weight well.
• Head angle
feels too steep, and that hurts descending.
• Rear end rides high. I couldn’t
get a balanced feel.
• It feels like a 4-inch-travel bike while climbing—and descending.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
We would remove the X Fusion Hilo seatpost rather than put up with its
flaws. It gave us trouble pretty quickly (hard to lower, very slow to return,
noisy, and it didn’t do a great job of clamping the saddle. Getting the front end higher with the addition of a riser bar would go a
long way toward giving this bike a more balanced feel. Get rid of the stem cap
before you bleed.
BUYING ADVICE
The GT Force 2.0 couldn’t hang with the gang on the descents and was
only ahead of one bike on the climbs (and that other bike won the downhill
race). The GT Force 2.0 tries to offer something for everyone and, in doing so,
never knocks it out of the park in any one category. It pedals in limbo between
lighter-weight trailbikes and more gravity-oriented offerings. Once it makes
up its mind about what it wants to be, we will be more comfortable suggesting
it to a certain rider. Until then, it is for the rider who can’t make up his
mind.
The Specialized Enduro
Comp
While the other bikes in this shootout all make concessions to appeal to
a broader range of riders, Specialized took another approach. No concessions.
Specialized believes that job one for a bike in this category is going downhill
as fast as possible with the most control. Meet the Specialized Enduro Comp.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
The Specialized Enduro Comp uses fully manipulated aluminum alloy ORE
tubing. The rear suspension is Specialized’s own FSR-patented system that rocks
on sealed-cartridge bearing pivots. A one-piece forged rocker adds rigidity to
the rear suspension. The frame has an ISCG mount and a replaceable derailleur
hanger. There is not a single gusset on the frame, resulting in the smoothest
and cleanest lines of the group.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
The Specialized is the only bike in the shootout to run a 20-millimeter
front axle. Specialized uses their clout to get their suppliers to customize
off-the-shelf components for the Fox shock, SRAM crankset and Avid brakes, and
even the DT Swiss rims get some type of Big S massage. The bike sports a
chainguide roller and chainring bashguard. Cable guides are supplied, should
you want to add an adjustable-height seatpost. But what really stands out is
the bike’s clean profile. It looks like something is missing. Everything tucks
in, and the graphics are held to an absolute minimum. This is a beautiful
mountain bike.
WHAT DID THE CREW SAY?
• Capable of handling most downhill runs at bike parks.
• Small compared
to other medium-sized bikes.
• You will pay your dues climbing the Enduro.
•
Covered so many of my mistakes while descending.
• The ProPedal is a welcome feature for climbing.
• Rear suspension remains active under braking.
• Wish for more
adjustment on the fork.
• The Enduro deserves a season pass at the local bike
park.
• I’ll survive the climb to have this bike under me on the descents.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
Every crewer desired a fork with more adjustability. That’s about it.
You could convert the wheels to tubeless just to get rid of the tubes (and
pinch flats). Performance wise, the tires were spot-on, tubes and all. An
adjustable-height seatpost on the Enduro would be great.
BUYING ADVICE
Only one bike got a perfect score (20) in a riding category. It was the
Specialized Enduro, and the category was “descending performance.” It took a
hit in climbing and pedaling along the trail, but that’s probably why it won
the downhill category. If you are looking for a good all-arounder, the Enduro
is a little too focused on the prize at the bottom of the hill. If you live for
descending, live it up on the Enduro.
The Trek Remedy 8
Trek has paid their dues on the World Cup gravity circuit, on the slopes
of Whistler Mountain Bike Park and in Southern California’s bone-dry, rock-embedded
terrain. The result is the Trek Remedy, a bike capable and competent on any
trail it gets ridden up
or down.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
This aluminum masterpiece uses hydroformed
tubes, and there are no
gussets, except for one
hydroformed gusset at the top tube/seat tube
junction
used to add strength on the larger-sized frames. Trek uses their
one-piece Magnesium EVO Link. The shock is not attached to the frame; it moves
between the EVO Link contact and its attachment to the chainstay. Trek calls
this their “Full Floater” design. The rear end pivots on Trek’s Automatic
Braking Pivot (ABP). Of course, they give you a tapered head tube too. One
final note: Trek gives custom frame builders sleepless nights by offering five
frame sizes: 15.5-, 17.5-, 18.5-, 19.5- and 21.5-inch seat tubes matched with
21.7-, 23.1-, 23.6-, 24- and 25.2-inch top tubes, respectively.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
The shock is Trek’s proprietary DRCV (Dual-Rate Control Valve) Fox
shock. It is like two shocks in one. A smaller air chamber controls the spring
rate until the bike encounters a bigger hit. A plunger opens the secondary air
chamber, turning the shock’s air sleeve into a large-volume sleeve. Up front
you get a Fox fork with the TALAS system, so you can drop the fork’s travel with
the twist of a knob. ISCG (International Standard Chain Guide) mounts make it
easier to go for a single-ring crank and bash guard.
WHAT DID THE CREW SAY?
• Rockets out of the corners.
• Rear braking is so smooth.
• Suspension
remains active under braking or pedaling.
• Rear suspension is very linear.
•
Rear suspension feels bottomless.
• The tires are the limiting factor on the downhills.
• This bike is so
fun to work down a twisty trail.
• Leans a little closer to cross-country than
the others.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
When shopping for your Remedy, check the components so you know what you
are getting. Our bike was off spec. According to Trek, Avid Elixir 5 brakes,
Shimano SLX derailleurs and Bontrager XR3 are stock, but substitutions were
made due to availability issues. Chuck the tires. Every ride report identified
them as a limiting factor in cornering performance and pure down- hill enjoyment.
A wider bar would be a nice addition. And while even the crew is split on this,
a number of them wondered aloud how much a 2x10 drivetrain would enhance this
bike.
BUYING ADVICE
Read between the lines. The tires killed the Remedy’s chance for the top
podium spot—and you know how easy it would be to change those. Trek had less
money to spend on some components in order to bring you the DRCV shock and the
fork’s TALAS feature, which we never used. All this is easily addressed, and it
won’t set you back a lot of dough. Would we recommend this bike to a close
friend? We already have.
The Yeti 575 Enduro
The Yeti 575 Enduro is the David of this shootout. The other four bikes
are Goliaths from multi-million dollar companies or publicly traded
conglomerates that make bikes for every
one from 3-year-old Betsy to hipster
commuters on fixies. Yeti, the little Colorado company on the eastern slopes of
the Rocky Mountains, better take perfect aim with their slingshot to have a
chance against this group.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
The Yeti’s frame is hydroformed 7005 aluminum with a tapered head tube,
internal cable routing and a direct-mount front derailleur. Yeti throws in
ISCG-05 mounts. Things change up in the rear where carbon fiber is substituted
for aluminum. Gone is the asymmetrical rear triangle of old in favor of a more
traditional and cleaner-looking design. The rear dropouts are Yeti’s chip
system, which allows the rider to choose between a number of rear-axle
configurations.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
The Yeti 575 can be built from four build kits. We chose the Enduro kit,
which is designed for riders for whom versatility is a priority. Before you
call foul, because this is a kit and the other bikes are completes, you should
know that most shops will assemble the bike at no extra cost. The components
are stellar. All of them. There are no shortcuts or compromises. This bike is
right, right out of the box.
WHAT DID THE CREW SAY?
• Wheels feel light and shine on the uphills.
• Best tires of the group.
• How do they get this fork and shock on the bike at this price?
• Proves single-pivot rear suspension has plenty to offer.
• Feels more
like a high-end bike.
• Used the ProPedal feature to get up the climbs.
•
Balanced and confident everywhere.
• Gives up a little on the descents and makes up for it everywhere else.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
This bike is so versatile that an adjustable-height seatpost would be a
good investment. You’d feel the difference right away. Other than that, go
tubeless and go have fun.
BUYING ADVICE
The Yeti was one of only two bikes that scored a perfect 20 in a single
category. That category was “overall spec.” Like a kiss from your sister? Yes,
but looking at the scores shows the lowest mark was a 14 and most were in the
17- to-18 range. This was the most consistent performer of the group and the
most well rounded. Turns out little David’s aim is lethal.
THE SCOREBOARD
1st Place: Yeti
575 Enduro:
The worst score the Yeti received in any category was 14 out of 20 points.
Solid scores across the board earned this bike first place. Even before the scorecards
were turned in, it was obvious from the riders’ faces that they loved the Yeti.
This is a great trailbike that delivers a blend of performance none of the
other bikes could touch. The Yeti is the only bike that didn’t use company
branded components, and in the end, that is what sealed the deal. Whereas the
other major brands had to use in-house components and tires that hurt their
score, Yeti was like a rider in the world’s biggest bike shop who could pick
and choose the best parts for the job at hand.
2nd Place: Specialized
Enduro Comp: Specialized lucked out on this one by splitting the votes with their
downhill-oriented trailbike. While the bike earned low scores in categories like
pedaling and climbing performance, it left the other bikes in the dust on the
descents, where it earned the perfect score of 20. Many of the crewers
commented that the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR EVO would have been at home in
this group and
far more versatile than the Enduro. Still, if you are looking
more for a gravity bike than an all-arounder, and if you shuttle to some of
your rides or if you frequent bike parks, bump the Yeti and move this to the
top of the list.
3rd Place: Trek
Remedy 8: Four
lousy point separated the Remedy from the Specialized, and it is obvious where
those points could have been made up: tires and components. Trek has to use
their company-owned Bontrager branded tires and components, and that hurt them.
This is not news to Trek. They have hired tire guru Frank Stacy to improve the
tire line, but it is too early for the Remedy to feel his touch. Slap on your
favorite tires, replace the 11 score with an 18 or 19 and guess what? You have
a score that would have moved the Trek within striking distance of the Yeti.
4th Place:
Giant Reign 1: What killed Giant’s chances for a breakaway win is that you could hear
the thing coming up on you. Yes, the clanking of the rear end sealed fourth
place for this otherwise great trailbike, which was a single point behind the
Specialized in downhill performance. The Giant-branded components also robbed
the Reign of valuable points. Wrap the chainstay in a pad to silence the
chatter and revamp the cockpit and you would have a real challenge separating
the top four bikes.
5th Place: GT
Force 2.0: The
Force couldn’t hang with the others in the all-important descending category,
where it never felt like a long-travel trailbike. It earned the most points in
tire selection and drivetrain performance, but it earned mediocre scores
everywhere else.
Reprinted from the October 2011 issue. Like us on Facebook