All articles tagged with #bike review
Originally Published 24 days ago — by Pinkbike
Dario DiGiulio shares his top biking experiences and gear in 2025, highlighting his love for the Santa Cruz Tallboy, testing high-performance brakes, the Shimano XTR drivetrain, durable shoes, and tires suited for soft conditions, along with advancements in e-bike motors and his favorite bikes and cycling community moments.
Originally Published 27 days ago — by Pinkbike
The article reviews the 2026 Trail Bike Field Test, highlighting the Revel Rascal SL as the overall winner due to its excellent climbing, descending, and fun riding qualities, based on a series of challenges and discussions between testers. The Rascal SL was praised for its traction, stability, and versatility, making it a top choice for various trail conditions, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Pinkbike.com
The 2025 Santa Cruz Bronson, tested in the Pinkbike Field Test, is more of an all-mountain bike than a traditional trail bike, excelling in descending with its gravity-oriented design. It features a 150mm rear travel, 160mm fork, and mixed wheels, with a focus on stability and control on technical trails. While it climbs comfortably, it lacks the energetic feel of some competitors. The Bronson's geometry is balanced, but offers minimal adjustment options. It is praised for its descending performance and plush suspension, though it has some issues with chainslap noise.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Pinkbike.com
The 2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Alloy is a versatile trail bike with adjustable geometry and a new Genie shock for improved suspension performance. While the bike is heavier due to its aluminum frame, it offers a range of sizes and configurations, including the option for cabled drivetrains. The bike excels in descending with its adaptable setup, though it requires careful shock tuning for optimal performance. Despite its weight, the Stumpjumper is praised for its sensitive suspension and extensive adjustability, making it suitable for both new and experienced riders.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Ars Technica
The Trek Checkpoint SL 7 AXS Gen 3 is a versatile gravel bike that excels on various terrains, including single-track trails. Priced at $5,699, it features Trek's 500 Series OCLV carbon frame, a SRAM Force XPLR AXS D2 groupset, and Bontrager Aeolus Elite carbon wheels. The bike's endurance geometry, improved ride comfort, and multiple mount points make it ideal for long rides and bikepacking. While the brakes required adjustment, the Checkpoint offers a rewarding cycling experience, balancing performance and adventure.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BikeRadar
The ENVE Fray blurs the lines between endurance and all-road bikes, offering a performance-oriented road bike with generous tyre clearance for versatility. Positioned between ENVE's race and gravel bikes, the Fray is responsive and aggressive, with geometry optimized for 31-35mm tyres and the ability to accommodate up to 40mm tyres. It excels on rough roads and offers options for running different tyre sizes, making it suitable for experienced riders seeking a well-balanced road bike with a performance edge.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Pinkbike.com
The 2024 Norco Optic is a unique trail bike with a high pivot, short travel, and aggressive geometry, featuring a 125mm rear travel, 140mm fork, and high pivot idler-equipped suspension design. The bike offers various frame options, adaptable geometry, and a Ride Aligned approach to bike sizing. While it excels in descending with impressive characteristics, its climbing performance may not be as snappy as other short travel bikes, and the idler pulley may cause some noise and drag. Overall, the Norco Optic is designed for riders seeking a bike that can push beyond its purview when ridden hard.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Pinkbike.com
The Rocky Mountain Slayer C50 is the latest version of the freeride mountain bike, offering 180mm of travel and long, slack geometry. The carbon frame features in-frame storage called the "Penalty Box" and a revised rear triangle with carbon fiber seatstays and chainstays for a stiffer frame. The bike's Smoothlink suspension layout provides a more linear and progressive suspension curve. The Slayer's handling excels on steeper, natural trails, offering stability and a safe feel. Climbing performance is decent, but the bike truly shines on descents, providing a plush and stable ride. The mixed wheel setup is preferred, adding a bit more agility to the bike's handling. While the Slayer may not be the fastest bike, it offers a great option for riders who prioritize a plush and freeride-oriented experience.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Pinkbike.com
The Trek Slash is a new mountain bike model that features a high pivot 4-bar layout and is designed for pedal-access descent-focused riding. With adjustable features and a versatile geometry, the Slash climbs comfortably and consistently while offering excellent support and grip on descents. The bike's suspension provides a predictable and balanced ride, making it capable in challenging terrain. However, some riders may find the chassis to be too stiff, and there were initial issues with chain drop due to improper installation of the lower idler. Overall, the Trek Slash is a capable and well-designed mountain bike.